WRC has blessed us with many awesome liveries over the years. Some of the most iconic ones are still in our memories years after.
1. The Martini Lancia Rally 037 – WCC winner.
This deserves the first spot for combining the romance and danger of the sport and it is from the Group B era which makes it even more special. The car was driving in the 1983 WRC season. The two wheel drive was something else compared to the four-wheel systems.
The white base blends in with snowy stages and on lighter gravel roads but is extremely noticeable on tarmac. The Martini stripes give it character.
The same Martini livery was later on the Lancia Delta wgucg dominated multiple years of WRC from 1997 to 1992. Legendary drivers like Walter Röhrl, Henri Toivonen, Markku Alen, Miki Biasion and Juha Kankkunen all got to be in the wheel of the Lancia.
2. The blue and gold of the Subaru Impreza WRC
In the second place of top 5 WRC liveries is a car that gave us 3 WDC and WCC victories. Also driven by great drivers like Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg.
The livery is bright and you can’t not see it. The blue body paint and, wheels and yellow decal combo is something else. Instantly recognizeable. The colors were brought in by the teams sponsor – State Express 555 cigarettes.
3. Marlboro Mitsubishi Lancer (Makkinen)
In 1999 the WDC was won by Tommi Makkinen in this livery. The striking red and white of the Marlboro cigarette company can be seen from miles away.
The Lancer was a model which enthusiasts could actually own and enjoy. It looked great and was a joy to drive. The Mitsubishi Ralliart team had its success in the series with this car in 1998 and 1999 racing in the Group A spec.
Marlboro also had great liveries in the F1 series.
4. Castrol Toyota – Celica and Corolla
Few liveries look as playful as this one. The Castrol sponsorship made the Toyotas of the 90s look fast and unique.
The design appread in the Celica GT-Four in 1993. Instead of conventional racing stripes, large shapes flowed around the white bodywork following the cars curves.
This design was quickly associated with Toyotas rise to the top of rallying with Juha Kankkunen winning the championship in 1993. In 1994 D. Auriol followed with another drivers victory. Toyota also won the manufacturers title in both years, becoming the first Japanese brand to win the series.
Another victory came in 1999 after which the compani withdrew its factory team.
5. Audi Sport Quattro S1 – Group B
This livery was simple but the car itself was technological revolution. A sophisticated quattro system, five-cylinder sound and an enourmous turbocharger which has become a trademark of Audi. After this car it was clear, four-wheel drive is the way forward.
The car was driven by Michele Mouton (one of WRCs few women), Hannu Mikola, Stiq Blomqvhist and Walter Röhrl. It won two titles for drivers and two manufacturers in the 1990s.
