Were people more artistic in the 1970s, or were they just less embarrassed about driving around in a Mark Rothko painting with wheels? The jury’s still out, but we can at least all agree that these spectacular muscle car paint jobs draw plenty of focus.
Maybe one reason you don’t see these crazy paint jobs on vintage luxury cars as much today is because they’re too expensive to let your cousin loose at them with a can of spray paint. The carefree 70s were truly a different time. Enjoy these vintage pics of 1970s muscle cars at their most colorful.
1
The landscape painted on the side of this Trans Am is just gorgeous
2
This eye-catching pattern is always going to be the center of attention
3
Looks like these kids took a white crayon to this colorful paint job.
5
Whoever did the paint job on this one did not consider the legibility of the words.
7
Which is more 70s? The idyllic fantasy landscape or the giant psychedelic boa constrictor?
8
Yeah, we could tell the owner of this car was a fan of psychedelics even without the Mr. Natural painted on the side.
9
Hard to decide which of these Z28s is cooler. Why not both?
10
This car stands in stark contrast to its surroundings.
11
Forget Bumblebee. This is a straight up yellowjacket.
12
That cobra is in an interesting spot where if you saw it drawn on paper, you’d crumple it up and throw it away. But on this Ford it’s the coolest thing you’ve ever seen.
13
Yes, it says Mirage, but you’re not hallucinating
14
You don’t see colors like that on cars much anymore
16
Hard to make out some of the details on this awesome paint job, but you can fully read the word “SPEED”, and that’s all that matters.
17
Almost looks like a Hot Wheels car.
18
Perfect for pulling up to the Fourth of July cookout.
19
Bubblegum pink has never looked so macho.
20
Whoever painted this car would have a great career in designing spaceships for sci-fi movies
21
Hmm, I wonder what this guy’s favorite band is?
22
Can’t go wrong with flames.