Fender stripes
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 120
Likes: 31
From: Guilford, CT
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
As far as C4s are concerned, they originated with the '96 Grand Sport edition. Those were a limited run of 1,000 cars that were part of the C4 send-off, and all of them were Admiral Blue with a broad white racing stripe and, of course, the red hash marks on the driver's fender only. That paint scheme had been used on the original Grand Sport racers of the early 60s, which are worth a Google if you aren't familiar with them. Most of the pictures I've seen don't show them having the fender stripes, but they were definitely used at some point. What they signified at that time, aside from "this looks cool on a race car", I can't say. Someone on here will know, I'm sure....
I'm assuming that the hash marks are paint on the Grand Sports, since they were a premium / collector model, but I don't know that for certain. However, decals are readily available now and in all kinds of colors so people add them to non-Grand Sports all the time. (I've put gray ones on my left fender, myself). At some point people started putting them on both fenders, too. Most of the stripes you see are likely decals and they're a cheap and easy add if you like 'em.
I'm assuming that the hash marks are paint on the Grand Sports, since they were a premium / collector model, but I don't know that for certain. However, decals are readily available now and in all kinds of colors so people add them to non-Grand Sports all the time. (I've put gray ones on my left fender, myself). At some point people started putting them on both fenders, too. Most of the stripes you see are likely decals and they're a cheap and easy add if you like 'em.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,403
Likes: 398
From: Lakeville MI
Scroll through the photos here to see the tape strips that inspired the 96 GS hash marks:
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The number 50 w-white hash (#004?) and 65 w-black hash (#003) cars are featured quite prominently in many photos. The number 80 car w-red hash (#005?) is harder to find.
The number 50 w-white hash (#004?) and 65 w-black hash (#003) cars are featured quite prominently in many photos. The number 80 car w-red hash (#005?) is harder to find.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 795
Likes: 15
From: Freeport IL
The red hash marks on the 96 Grand Sports are decals and were available from the dealer. A lot of 96's with the LT4 put them on to designate that it also was an LT4, we did like wise on our 96 Collector Edition with the LT4. Just F Y I
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 86
It goes back to the older racing days when like cars were racing in the same race. The team owners used stripes/decals to identify their cars from the others in the pack.
