When it comes to orange cars, there are a few makes and models that come to mind. Some automakers have released special edition orange cars over the years, while others have made it an option on standard models. Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic orange cars throughout history.
Iconic Orange Cars
One of the most famous orange cars is the 1970 Plymouth Superbird. This was a highly modified version of the Plymouth Road Runner, designed specifically for NASCAR racing. The big rear wing and elongated nose were engineered for aerodynamics, helping it achieve over 200 mph on the track. Only around 2,000 Superbirds were produced and they came in a variety of bold colors from the factory, including Vitamin C orange.
In the late 1960s and early 70s, orange was a popular muscle car color. Several American automakers offered orange hues on models like the Chevy Chevelle SS, Pontiac GTO Judge, Dodge Charger, and Ford Mustang Boss 302. These bright orange pony cars and muscle machines stood out on the streets and drag strips of the era.
The Lamborghini Miura SV featured a distinctive orange color called Arancio Miura. Produced from 1971-1973, this V12 supercar cemented Lamborghini’s reputation for audacious styling and performance. The striking orange shade helped the Miura SV leave an indelible mark on automotive history.
During the 1980s and 90s, orange cars started to become more common. Automakers began offering the color regularly across model lines, from sports cars to family sedans. However, some memorable orange cars emerged, like the Subaru WRX STi, Toyota Supra Turbo, Honda CR-X Si, and Mazda RX-7. These vibrant sport compacts and Japanese sports cars developed cult followings with young tuner crowds.
In 2004, Chevrolet introduced the creamsicle orange color Hugger Orange on the launch of the fifth generation Chevrolet Corvette. Available on all trim levels that year, it invoked nostalgia for the muscle car era while showcasing the C5 Corvette’s edgy, modern style. Chevrolet would bring the color back again for the C7 Corvette in 2013.
Orange has also been popular on off-road vehicles like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and Land Rover Defender. Vibrant orange is an attention-grabbing color suited for adventure rides traversing rugged wilderness. Several special edition models over the years have featured exclusive orange paint.
More recently, performance cars like the McLaren P1, Ferrari 488 Pista, and Lamborghini Aventador SVJ have been available with custom orange exterior colors via the automakers’ bespoke personalization programs. Exotic supercar manufacturers offer a wide selection of colors and wraps for customers wanting a more personalized build.
Regular Production Orange Cars
In addition to special edition and limited-run orange cars, there are a number of models across segments where orange has been a regular production color choice.
Some examples include:
- Toyota Tacoma
- Ford Mustang
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Dodge Challenger
- MINI Cooper
- Volkswagen Beetle
- Nissan 370Z
- Subaru BRZ
- Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Honda Civic Si
- Hyundai Veloster
- Kia Soul
- Toyota 86
- Ford Focus RS
- Volkswagen GTI
These models have made orange a regular staple on dealer lots across a variety of segments. While not necessarily iconic or historic shades, they allow buyers to give their new car some visual pop right from the factory. Orange is bold and eye-catching, yet still a flexible accent color for many modern vehicle designs.
Most Iconic Orange Car: Plymouth Superbird
While there have been many memorable orange cars over the decades, the most iconic is likely the Plymouth Superbird. Its unmistakable shape and bright Vitamin C orange color scheme have etched it into automotive lore.
Designed specifically for NASCAR domination, the Superbird was truly exotic for its time. The huge rear wing and pointed aerodynamic nose cone set it apart from any other street-legal vehicle. Under the hood, a 426 Hemi V8 churned out incredible performance
The road-going Superbird was a true homologation special – built specifically so Plymouth could go racing in NASCAR. And the results were undeniable, as the Superbird won 8 races in 1970. Equipped with a 7.0L Hemi V8, the Superbird was clocked at over 200 mph on the track..
On the streets, the Orange Superbird stood out even among the muscle cars and pony cars of the era. Its extreme proportions and unapologetic styling perfectly encapsulated the automotive excesses of the early 70s.
Today, the 1970 Plymouth Superbird stands as one of the most collectible American performance cars of all time. It shook up the racing world when it debuted, and the road car allowed the public a taste of true race-bred NASCAR technology. The bright orange color only sealed its legacy as a pivotal car in history.
Most Popular Orange Car Colors
When it comes to regular production orange car colors, some shades stand out as more popular across brands:
| Color Name | Hex Code |
| Blaze Orange | #FF6600 |
| Sunset Orange | #FD4B09 |
| Orange Fury | #FF6709 |
| Competition Orange | #EB3300 |
| Vitamin C Orange | #FF5500 |
| Solar Orange | #FF7733 |
| Tango Orange | #E56213 |
| Hugger Orange | #FF3F00 |
These bright orange hues commonly appear on performance models across brands. They provide a bold, attention-grabbing accent that suggests speed and excitement. While subtle finishes are always popular, orange makes a statement for owners looking to stand out.
Rarest Orange Cars
When it comes to rare, hard-to-find orange cars, these models stand out:
- 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A
- 1969 Shelby Mustang GT500 Convertible
- 1970 AMC AMX
- 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird
- 1971 De Tomaso Pantera
- 1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD-455
- 1976 BMW 3.0CSL “Batmobile”
- 1988 Italdesign Aztec
- 1995 Ferrari F50
- 2015 McLaren P1 GTR
These rare supercars, vintage muscle cars, and unique concepts offer some of the most elusive orange paint colors. Finding an authentic example can be extremely difficult and valuable for collectors.
Special edition models like the P1 GTR and Italdesign Aztec had tiny production runs, sometimes fewer than 5 units in orange. Vintage muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger TA and Plymouth Superbird also had very limited orange color availability from the factory.
The holy grail would likely be something like the 1971 De Tomaso Pantera in orange. Only about 6,500 total Panteras were ever built, and orange was not a common factory color. Finding an authentic, numbers-matching example would be the ultimate score for many collectors.
How to Make Your Car Orange
If you’re looking to paint your car orange, here are some options:
Factory Orange Paint
Ordering a factory orange paint color is the easiest option if the model you want has orange available. You can usually customize or request orange through the automaker’s website or at the dealership. Factory paint also ensures an ideal color match and glossy finish.
Professional Repaint
For an aftermarket paint job, work with a professional auto body shop to repaint the car in the orange hue of your choice. They can color match to any shade and ensure a flawless final finish with layers of clearcoat. This is a more expensive option but worth it for a show-quality orange car.
Vinyl Wrap
Vinyl wraps allow you to temporarily change the color of your car without any permanent changes to the paint. High quality vinyl films like 3M are long-lasting and provide vibrant orange colors. A professional shop can install the wrap and tailor it to your specific car. This is the most affordable option to get an orange car.
Plasti Dip
Plasti Dip spray is a thick rubber coating that can be applied to customize the exterior color of your car. It peels off clean whenever you want to change the color back to stock. For temporary vibrant orange, multiple coats of Plasti Dip can provide a smooth, even finish.
Touch Up Paint
For small orange detailing, you can use orange automotive touch up paint. This can be applied to elements like badges, wheels, mirrors, or trim accents. While not a full orange exterior, it allows you to add orange highlights to a car.
Conclusion
Orange is an eye-catching, vibrant color that has decorated some of the most exciting cars in automotive history. From classic muscle to modern supercars, orange paint creates cars that are hard to ignore.
Certain models like the Plymouth Superbird and Lamborghini Miura SV have cemented their iconic orange color schemes into the history books forever. Even today, orange remains a popular choice for sports cars, off-roaders, and tuner vehicles looking to make a bold style statement.
Finding a rare vintage orange muscle car or limited-run supercar is a dream for many collectors. But even applying orange accents or a wrap to your current ride allows you to give it a fresh, head-turning look unlike any other color.
