These Patriotic Cars Bleed Red, White, and BlueRyan Lugo - MotorTrendJuly 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence, the founding document by which the original 13 colonies formally broke up with Great Britain. Also known as the semiquincentennial, cities across America will host major celebrations to commemorate the occasion.Alongside the hot dogs, fireworks, and perhaps a bit of national self-reflection, automakers are also marking the occasion with special models like the Ram 1500 America250 and Chevy's Stars & Steel package. But this isn't the first time American automakers have tapped into national pride with limited-production models. Here's a look back at special editions that have really leaned into the theme.1) 1974 Chevrolet Nova Spirit of AmericaPhoto credit: Bring a TrailerProduced in anticipation of the upcoming United States bicentennial, Chevrolet got the jump on the competition by introducing the Spirit of America package for the 1974 model year. Offered for the Nova with an array of engines ranging from a 250ci inline six-cylinder to the L48 350ci V-8, the Spirit of America package featured white paint, Rallye wheels with red, white, and blue accents, a black vinyl roof, and a full suite of decals from stem to stern. White vinyl upholstery, red carpeting, and red, white, and blue interior trim also brought a sense of occasion to the cabin. A similar treatment was also offered for the 1974 Vega and Impala models.2) 1969 AMC AMX Super StockPhoto credit: Mecum AuctionsWith a name like American Motor Company, it should come as no surprise that AMC embraced its national pride with some real fervor, and the '69 AMX Super Stock is arguably the coolest application of the automaker's all-American paint schemes. Produced in collaboration with Hurst Performance for NHRA and AHRA Super Stock competition, just 52 examples of these drag-tuned machines were assembled. All were equipped with a heavily modified version of AMC's 390ci V-8 that was outfitted with race-spec internals and topped with an Edelbrock aluminum cross-ram intake and dual four-barrel Holley carburetors. Additional upgrades to the drivetrain and suspension were also applied, and the changes reportedly enabled these hot rods to get into the high 10s in the quarter mile right out of the box.3) 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Bicentennial EditionPhoto credit: Mecum AuctionsAvailable for the final year of the full-size GM convertible, a fully loaded, 500ci V-8-powered limited edition version of the Eldorado was offered with Cotillion White paint, a white top, white leather interior, and red accents inside and out. The package eventually came to be known as the Bicentennial Edition, and many dealers added blue pinstriping to round out the theme. Just 200 examples were produced.4) 1976 Ford F-Series BicentennialPhoto credit: Bring a TrailerAdvertisementAdvertisementGM wasn't the only automaker looking to capitalize on the bicentennial, although the Blue Oval's approach was both more measured and appropriately timed than Chevrolet's. Instead of simply applying red, white, and blue stripes to every body panel, Ford's approach offered truck buyers a subtler graphics package with gold side decals, while the cabin was outfitted with red, white, and blue plaid inserts on a blue vinyl bench seat, along with a special bicentennial badging on the glove box door. Ford's package was offered for 1976 model-year F-Series trucks ranging from the F-100 to F-350 in regular cab and SuperCab configurations with either Wimbledon white or Bahama blue paint.5) Dodge Challenger and Charger Stars & Stripes EditionPhoto credit: DodgeOffered for the 2019 model year and available on trim levels ranging from the GT to the R/T Scat Pack, Dodge's Stars & Stripes package for the Challenger and Charger was a salute to the U.S. Armed Forces. Rather than going full Americana with a red, white, and blue motif, the treatment aimed to give buyers a unique customized look with a satin black and silver accent stripe that ran over the top of the car, along with black wheels and badging, bronze brake calipers, and a black American flag decal on the front fender. Inside, the black-on-black interior was given a splash of color with a bronze star embroidered on the seats, bronze accent stitching, and a bronze instrument panel badge.6) 1969 AMC Hurst SC/RamblerPhoto credit: Bring a TrailerHurst Performance had a thriving business as a specialty car builder for major automakers in the late 1960s, producing special high-performance models for Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Plymouth, and others, but the AMC Hurst SC/Rambler is undoubtedly one of the most visually distinctive vehicles that emerged from these collaborations.Motivation was provided by a 315-hp, 390ci big-block V-8 mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with a Hurst shifter, which in turn sent the twist to a limited-slip rear differential with a 3:54:1 gearset. A functional snorkel hood scoop, heavy-duty suspension, and uprated brakes were also part of the deal. Offered in two different red, white, and blue paint schemes, a total of 1,512 Hurst SC/Ramblers were built.7) 1975 GMC Official Indy 500 TruckPhoto credit: General MotorsGM has been the preeminent supplier of vehicles for the Indianapolis 500 race event for quite a while, providing pace cars as well as support trucks for the majority of the races for the past 50 years. In 1974, General Motors realized it could take advantage of an untapped marketing opportunity on the truck side of the equation by introducing a special package for the official Indy 500 pickups. Thus, 55 trucks were decked out in a white and gold paint motif to match the Hurst/Olds Cutlass pace car for that year.AdvertisementAdvertisementNoting the attention these trucks received at the event, GMC decided to sell a replica version of the official Indy 500 support truck for the 1975 race. This time around the treatment included a red, white, and blue color scheme alongside the Indy 500 decals. GMC reportedly produced a few hundred replicas largely for promotional use, and the automaker also awarded the crew chief of the winning car at the 1975 race with an example of their own.8) 1970 AMC Rebel "The Machine"Photo credit: HOT ROD ArchivesA one-year-only affair, The Machine was outfitted with a 340-hp version of AMC's 390ci big-block V-8 that was fed a steady diet of fresh air through a vacuum-controlled hood scoop. A four-speed manual gearbox with a Hurst shifter and rear end with a 3.54:1 gearset were all standard equipment, but those who really wanted to step things up could spring for Detroit Locker limited-slip rear end with ratios up to 5.00:1. Heavy-duty springs and 15-inch wheels with performance tires were also included.The first 1,000 examples were produced in the red, white, and blue paint scheme you see here, after which AMC allowed buyers to get The Machine without the stripes and in any available color. A total of 2,326 examples rolled off the line.9) Jeep Freedom EditionPhoto credit: JeepJeep has offered the Freedom Edition on everything from the Compass to the Grand Cherokee over the years, and much like Dodge's Stars and Stripes Edition, the package has largely consisted of subtle interior and exterior tweaks rather than an over-the-top array of patriotic aesthetics. Most recently offered for the 2023 Wrangler and Gladiator, the treatment added an Oscar Mike badge to the rear tailgate/swing gate and an American flag decal for the front fenders, along with body-color fender flares and gloss black wheels. Steel rock rails and a winch-capable front bumper were on board, as well, as were leather-trimmed cloth seats with black accent stitching. Jeep donated $250 to military charities for every 2023 Freedom Edition sold, and both active and recently retired service members qualified for a $500 discount.10) 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-AmPhoto credit: Mecum AuctionsKeen to prove its worth not only on American dragstrips but also its road courses, AMC joined the likes of Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge in the SCCA's popular Trans Am series in 1968 with race-prepped Javelins. By 1970, the Javelin had earned a reputation as a real contender on the track, and in the interest of translating its racing success into showroom sales, AMC produced a special edition of the Javelin dubbed the Javelin SST Trans Am Edition. Styled like AMC's red, white, and blue race cars, the SST Trans Am Edition featured front and rear spoilers that added to the racy vibe, while its 390ci V-8, close-ratio four-speed gearbox, and host of chassis upgrades ensured it could go toe to toe with the other track-oriented pony cars of the day. Just 100 SST Trans Am Edition Javelins were produced for 1970.11) 1976 Dodge Dart Sport Spirit of '76Photo credit: Raymond BarnardAdvertisementAdvertisementOutfitted with "Spirit of '76" decals on the quarter panels and a banded side stripe that formed the profile of an eagle, Dodge's bicentennial treatment for the Dart hit the right notes without going over the top. The package brought the striped theme into the cabin, as well, and prospective buyers could choose between the standard 225ci slant-six engine with manual transmission or an optional 318ci V-8 with an automatic. Launched on the aging A-body platform, the Spirt of '76 package flew under the radar of most folks, making this one a particularly rare sight. Rarer still is the similarly patriotic Spirit of '76 package for the D250 pickup: Only five factory-equipped examples are known to exist.Photo: Raymond Barnard12) Ram 1500 "Built to Serve" EditionsPhoto credit: RamFor 2020, Ram's recurring, limited edition Built to Serve package honored a branch of the U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard, but no Space Force), each with the branch's color with branch-specific graphics, with all examples based off the 1500 Bighorn trim. Aside from the unique exterior colors, these Built to Serve Edition trucks also scored interior accents that include a unique Built to Serve instrument cluster, embroidered seat panels, Velcro panels on the front seats for attaching patches, front seat-back panels covered with Pouch Attachment Ladder System/Modular Lightweight Load-Bearing Equipment (PALS/MOLLE) webbing to attach additional equipment or pouches, and custom all-weather floormats.Ram expanded the package for 2022 to honor first responders with a firefighter-inspired edition offered in Redline and Diamond Black, while the 2023 iteration focused on emergency medical service (EMS) workers. All Built to Serve Edition 1500s featured a bedside America flag decal with "Built to Serve" wording underneath as well as body-color fender flares, 20-inch aluminum wheels in a unique Technical Gray finish, and the 4x4 Off-Road Group package.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdditional photography provided by the manufacturers