Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Dale Earnhardt Edition – A NASCAR Tribute on the Streets

When you think of NASCAR legends, one of the first names that comes to mind is Dale Earnhardt. And when you think of quirky, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Dale Earnhardt Edition might just top the list.

This is more than just a car. It’s a rolling tribute to the Intimidator himself, packed with special touches inside and out. Let’s take a look at what makes this Monte Carlo one of the most bizarre yet fascinating special editions ever sold.

A Special Kind of Rare

Before anything else, here’s the kicker—this car has only 4,300 miles on the clock. It’s a one-owner car that lived its life in California and was babied from day one.

In terms of condition, it doesn’t get much better than this. And while the standard Monte Carlo SS might be just another early-2000s coupe, the Dale Earnhardt Edition is something else entirely.

Signature Exterior Details

The very first thing you notice is the color scheme—black on top, silver on the bottom, with a red stripe separating the two. This wasn’t a random design choice. It’s a nod to Dale Earnhardt’s iconic race car colors, which were instantly recognizable on NASCAR tracks across the country.

There’s also no missing the number 3 decal on the C-pillar—Earnhardt’s signature racing number—and his actual signature right beside it. It might just be a decal, but it’s bold and hard to miss.

Around the back, you’ll find an “Intimidator” badge on the trunk lid, again paying homage to Dale’s nickname. And just above the silver rocker panels, there’s a subtle RCR (Richard Childress Racing) graphic with a checkered flag. This was the race team that Dale drove for, and they played a big role in this special edition’s branding.

NASCAR Vibes from the Factory

There’s more to the NASCAR connection than just some stickers. The rear trunk hump—although non-functional—was designed to mimic the shape seen on actual NASCAR Monte Carlos at the time. The spoiler was lifted straight from the race track look too, giving this street car a little more presence.

Another odd touch: the clear taillights, also known as Altezza lights, were more common on tuner imports. But GM added them here to keep up with the early 2000s styling trends.

Up front, you won’t see the traditional Chevy bowtie. Instead, there’s a Monte Carlo-specific badge, which GM had used on this model for years. The rest of the car, however, still proudly displays Chevy logos.

Inside the Intimidator

Step inside, and you’re immediately surrounded by more Dale Earnhardt touches. The door panels show off the Monte Carlo SS badging along with the RCR logo. The floor mats carry the number 3 and “Intimidator” branding so even your feet get in on the tribute.

Over on the passenger side dash, you’ll find Dale’s signature and race number again, reminding everyone this isn’t just any coupe. Even the gauge cluster features special graphics, with the number 3, RCR branding, and a little Chevy bowtie right in the mix.

As if that wasn’t enough, this particular car also includes a few personalized touches from its Earnhardt-loving owner—like a dash mat embroidered with the number 3, a race car keychain, and even a Dale-themed Christmas stocking. If Dale Earnhardt had a fan club starter pack, this would be it.

Performance and Engine

Under the hood, the Dale Earnhardt Edition Monte Carlo SS came with a 3.8-liter V6, making around 200 horsepower. Back then, this was a decent step up from the base LS model’s 180-hp 3.4-liter V6.

While not a rocket ship, it had enough grunt for everyday driving, and more importantly, it gave buyers that extra bit of muscle to match the aggressive looks. The engine wasn’t supercharged—that version came later in a different Dale Edition—but it still had respectable performance for the time.

Interior Features and Comfort

This Monte Carlo may not scream luxury by today’s standards, but it came with plenty of features that were impressive back in 2002.

• Dual-zone climate control with simple slider controls
• CD player with steering wheel audio buttons (not common back then)
• Two-tone leather seats with red stitching and embroidered bowtie logos
• Heated front seats with two-stage controls
• Power-adjustable seats and even a power sunroof
• A roof-mounted information screen that displayed MPG, range, and even gallons used

You also got OnStar, which GM heavily pushed in this era. It allowed you to get directions, contact emergency services, or call for roadside help at the press of a button. And yes, it came with a hilariously dated instruction manual that probably deserves its own review.

Build Quality – The GM Way

While the feature list was long, the interior materials told a different story. Like many GM cars from this time, panel gaps, cheap plastics, and basic switchgear were pretty common. It had the features, but not the finesse.

That said, there’s one design detail that actually stands out—the angled center console, tilted slightly toward the driver. It’s a small thing, but it showed that GM was at least thinking about driver engagement, even if most of the car said otherwise.

Final Thoughts

The 2002 Monte Carlo SS Dale Earnhardt Edition is one of those cars that perfectly captures a moment in time. It’s equal parts tribute, collector’s item, and marketing gimmick—but there’s no denying its uniqueness.

Between the NASCAR-inspired looks, all the Dale-specific branding, and the loaded features, it stands out in a sea of early-2000s coupes. And with so few of these cars left in such pristine condition, this one’s a real gem for the right fan.

If you’re a NASCAR fan, a Chevy lover, or someone who appreciates strange and special cars from a now-defunct GM era, the Dale Earnhardt Monte Carlo might just be your kind of weird.