For the ultimate NASCAR fan, there's no bigger achievement than actually owning a car driven my your favorite driver. Short of buying an actual team, this is probably the closest you will ever come to living out those Days of Glory dreams. For most people though, this is simply a fantasy but it's actually surprisingly easy to achieve and a lot less expensive than you might think.
Understand The Risks Of Owning a Race Car
Racing is dangerous, and accidents are bound to happen if you race using your new NASCAR. As a result, you should ensure to ride carefully once you get your hands on the NASCAR. This is not like the Mustang, Camaro, or Charger that might be sitting in your garage right now and it was first and foremost designed for racing on a track. As a result, even those former NASCAR cars that you can buy online that are converted to be street legal will not perform the same on a normal road. This includes basic handling, the sensitivity of the brakes, even noise dampening that seems standard on factory vehicles is not a consideration on these former NASCAR vehicles.
Where to Search For NASCAR Cars to Buy
There are few different sites that you should check if you are looking to buy an authentic NASCAR race car, replica, or pace car. The first stop is ebay.com where you'll find a constantly changing collection of race cars including NASCAR cars available for bidding. You'll also find a wealth of parts here such as shells, tires, engines, and other equipment used in actual races if your budget doesn't allow you to go the whole way and buy an actual car. Your next stop is one of the specialty dealers such as Race-Cars.com, CarsandBids.com or Cars-Online.com where they list available cars across the country. Surprisingly, many cars can be purchased for as low as $30,000! However, as with any used car sales situation, make sure to examine the merchandise carefully and have an objective in mind. For instance, are you looking for a show piece to have on display in your garage - or are you actually looking to take it to fan meetups and race days. The answer to that question will dictate the equipment that you will want to purchase.
Understanding NASCAR Stock Car Types That You Can Buy
When purchasing a NASCAR stock car, one of the most important distinctions is whether the vehicle is configured as "Street Legal" or "Track Only." This decision will significantly impact how you can use your NASCAR, what additional modifications might be needed, and the associated ownership costs. Many buyers don't realize both options are regularly available through specialized dealers, auctions, and online sales.
Street Legal NASCAR Stock Cars
Street legal NASCAR vehicles have undergone significant modifications to comply with Department of Transportation requirements. These modifications typically include:
- Addition of functioning headlights, taillights, and turn signals
- Installation of DOT-approved windshield glass
- Replacement of racing fuel cells with standard fuel tanks
- Addition of mufflers to reduce noise to legal street levels
- Installation of side mirrors and other safety equipment
- Modification of the suspension for public road conditions
- Conversion to pump gas compatibility from race fuel
Street legal NASCAR stock cars offer the thrill of owning authentic racing history while being able to drive them on public roads. However, they still maintain much of their racing characteristics, including stiff suspension, manual transmissions, and limited creature comforts. Expect to pay a premium for properly converted street-legal vehicles, with prices typically starting at $45,000-$55,000 for older models.
For serious buyers looking for street-legal options, specialized conversion shops offer turnkey conversion services for recently retired NASCAR vehicles. Additionally, auction houses like Barrett-Jackson and Mecum occasionally feature already-converted street-legal NASCAR stock cars with proper documentation and vehicle identification numbers (VINs) that can be registered in most states.
Track Only NASCAR Stock Cars
Track only NASCAR stock cars remain in their racing configuration or close to it. These vehicles:
- Maintain their original racing specifications
- Feature full roll cages and racing safety equipment
- Run on racing fuel rather than pump gas
- Have no headlights, turn signals, or other street equipment
- Retain their competition-grade components
- Require transportation via trailer to racing venues
- Often come with spare parts packages from their racing days
Track only NASCAR stock cars are generally less expensive than their street-legal counterparts since they require no conversion costs. Prices typically range from $30,000 for older models up to $75,000+ for more recent or historically significant vehicles. Depending on the age and condition you can often find older race cars even cheaper. These cars are ideal for track days, vintage racing events, father and son projects, or as showpieces in collections. Remember that additional costs will include proper storage, transportation equipment, and potentially track membership fees.
For authentic track-only NASCAR stock cars, your best sources include:
- Team liquidation sales when NASCAR teams upgrade their fleets (typically announced on team websites)
- Specialty dealers like Hendrick Performance, which periodically sells retired cars from Hendrick Motorsports
- NASCAR-specific auctions at Charlotte Motor Speedway during major race weekends
- Direct connections with smaller racing teams who sell their older equipment to fund new seasons
- Online marketplaces like RacingJunk.com and RacecarsDirect.com (typically more focused on European racecars) that specialize in authentic competition vehicles
When purchasing a track-only NASCAR, always verify its competition history through the vehicle's chassis number, which can be cross-referenced with NASCAR databases to confirm its racing pedigree and any notable finishes or driver associations that might increase its value.
How To Keep Your New Car In Top Shape
Of course, buying your NASCAR race car is just the beginning. While a climate controlled garage is clearly the best option and certainly most appropriate for the more expensive vehicles you might purchase, that's not always possible. So make sure to get a good car cover - you can even get NASCAR car covers to complete the experience. You will also want to make sure to wash the car correctly to make sure to keep the paint intact. Unlike most classic cars though, Chrome isn't really the issue here but paint and any key "racing stripes" need to be preserved so pay attention and treat your baby right!
Make Sure to License and Insure Your Newly Purchased NASCAR Properly
Each municipality is going to have its own laws and regulations on how to license and insure the new NASCAR that you just purchased. The process will vary greatly depending on if you are planning to drive it on the street, race course only, or keep it just as a display that hauler will transport. If you plan to race, you should also plan to get a racing license which you can get from an organization like the Sports Car Club of America.
Just make sure to have fun and understand that the car you have just purchased is part of racing history. Every classic race car has it's own stories, so make sure to learn your new car's tales so you can share them with other enthusiasts!
