Hooniverse Asks: What's the Greatest Racer-Named Car Model

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This weekend was the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, an event described as the greatest spectacle in auto racing and which has over the course of its existence seen many a great name turn a tire in anger around its 2.5-mile oval.
That got me thinking about those names, and how many of them have been lent to production cars, whether simply for the recognition or as indication of a performance model in whose creation the racer had a hand. That latter case has given rise to to cars like the Mini Cooper, above, as well as Steve Saleen’s various Mustangs and other Ford hardware.
Those are just a couple of racers who have been immortalized in metal, but there are many more. Which do you think is the greatest racer-named production car there ever was?
Image: AutoEvolution

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  1. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    It’s definitely not the greatest and purely a stickers and marketing special, but I feel the need to throw the gigglefest that is the Micheal Schumacher edition Fiat Seicento into the ring for your amusement
    http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/fb/68/e3/z14903547Q.jpg

    1. jim Avatar
      jim

      At least the ad was cool :

  2. Inliner Avatar
    Inliner

    http://assets.hemmings.com/story_image/186951-1000-0.jpg
    Well, this one is racer-named because Alejandro de Tomaso founded an eponymous company.
    Picture from Hemmings – http://blog.hemmings.com/?p=65187

    1. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      Also:
      http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Little-Fitch-in-Phoenix1-626×291.jpeg
      I got to see this car in the metal at Lime Rock 20+ years ago. I came within 2 feet of Mr Fitch but I went into vaporlock and missed my chance to talk with him.

  3. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    More Serious answer: Mitsubishi Evo 6 Makkinen edition, worst thing is I can remember when these were sort of affordable.
    http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/evo-6-2.jpg?itok=UDo6Atgj

    1. Monkey10is Avatar
      Monkey10is

      And the Colin McRae Imprezas:

      1. Monkey10is Avatar
        Monkey10is

        And the Richard Burns edition too:

        1. crank_case Avatar
          crank_case

          I think the RB5 with the Prodrive PPP pack is pretty much up there as the ultimate of the first gen subaru UK special editions, but it’s a head meltingly diverse array of versions and option packs. With the Evo, it’s pretty easy to pick the king of the hill, in the 6th gen anyway!

  4. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    Here’s a nominee for worst special edition named after a race car driver.
    http://www.daleearnhardt.net/chevy/signature/earnhardt_signature_monte_01.jpg

  5. fede Avatar
    fede

    veyron should be close…
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Bugatti_Veyron_16.4_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht_(1),_5._April_2012,_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg/250px-Bugatti_Veyron_16.4_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht_(1),_5._April_2012,_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg

    1. Monkey10is Avatar
      Monkey10is

      …and Jonny Cecotto had an E30 M3 special edition.

      1. E34Less Avatar
        E34Less

        Cecotto had his own M5 version too. Because just one model is never enough.

    1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
      Wayne Moyer

      Technically they were Grand Prix STP’s but it was because of Petty.

  6. FerrauDouffet Avatar

    For me this one has been the best race car ever!

  7. JayP Avatar
    JayP

    One more until I think of more…
    I witnessed this at the Sam Pack – NTx Mustang Club show last month.
    Not usually open to the public, but it was open for the show.
    Of all the Shelbys, I nominate the Shelby 1000 Widebody.
    Because 1000hp.
    https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13133169_10154233921812853_1308281328290323165_n.jpg?oh=87b00d4608863775b0ea661320ca338e&oe=57C6D51E

  8. Borkwagen Avatar
    Borkwagen

    Not the greatest, but the Saab 9000 Carlsson is pretty sweet, if a bit Eurotrash. http://wordpress.carthrottle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/saab-9000-carlsson-2.jpg

  9. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    Sadly Bruce McLaren was long dead before these were produced; but the McLaren F1 has to be mentioned in this thread.
    (The picture even has one in a Bruce-appropriate orange colour.)
    http://www.thesupercars.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/mclaren-f1-variations.jpg

    1. Monkey10is Avatar
      Monkey10is

      …and also debuting after the death of its namesake; The 2001 Pagani Zonda F.
      (F for Fangio)
      https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Pagani_Zonda_F_%2815248212882%29.jpg/1280px-Pagani_Zonda_F_%2815248212882%29.jpg

    2. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      The F1 was the pinnacle, but Bruce Mclaren did produce a road car in his lifetime, the M6GT
      http://img.favcars.com/mclaren/m6/mclaren_m6_1970_photos_1.jpg

  10. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    Thoroughly deserving of a special edition: The Michelle Mouton Audi 4000CS.

    Michelle Mouton Edition Audi 4000CS in Portland

  11. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    Acura NSX Alex Zanardi. Not just special colors and a dashboard plaque, but functional upgrades like a lightweight battery, lighter BBS wheels and power steering delete. Plus how can you not love Zanardi, particularly in light of what he’s managed to accomplish in the 15 years since his accident?
    http://nsxclubeurope.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ZanardiNSX_6.jpg

    1. Fresh-Outta-Nissans Avatar
      Fresh-Outta-Nissans
  12. XRSevin Avatar
    XRSevin

    Real answer, every Chevrolet ever.
    Thursday answer, the Eddie Lawson KZ1000.

    1. Monkey10is Avatar
      Monkey10is

      And every Ferrari,

  13. I_Borgward Avatar
    I_Borgward

    Rambler Marlin.

  14. I_Borgward Avatar
    I_Borgward

    Rambler Marlin

  15. desmo Avatar
    desmo

    Mercedes W168 “Häkkinen Edition” (1998)

  16. sporty88 Avatar
    sporty88

    A few from Down Under:
    Holden Brabham Torana – stickers and stripes package named after Jack Brabham.
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Holden_HB_Brabham_Torana_SL.JPG
    HDT ‘Brock’ Commodore – not an official name, but,since Peter Brock owned HDT, it became the name that most Aussie Hoons know them by.
    http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/smitty1955/Car%20Pics/Brock_NthMelbs.jpg
    http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2006/09/15/brockCom11L_m.jpg
    Ford Falcon ‘John Goss special’
    http://www.aussiecoupes.com/images/jgs1.jpg

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Ah, the Gossy, aka the “can’t afford a GT” (being 302 instead of 351 4V)
      At least it had unique colour schemes; there was also an Allan Moffat Special, but you wouldn’t know it because it only had the hood scoops and black accent paint of any GS pack plus some tiny badges.
      Perhaps we should forget the Brock Lada Samara!

  17. Troggy Avatar
    Troggy

    Still waiting for the James May Dacia Sandero