Inside DEI Garage: Exploring Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s classic car collection ft. 1957 Chevy

The Dale Earnhardt Inc. Museum in North Carolina is a tribute to the legendary NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt. Formerly a successful Cup Series racing team, it is now owned and operated by his wife, Teresa Earnhardt.

When DEI was a racing team, Teresa was in charge of it. In 1998 and 1999, the team participated in the Xfinity Series, which was then called the Busch Series.

The museum celebrates the seven-time Cup Series champion's racing legacy. It also features a sizable collection of the vehicles he drove for various teams during his career. It is a bucket-list destination for NASCAR fans.

The car collection, which is a massive attraction of DEI, is still maintained. Here's a glimpse of the cars that are present in the museum:

Dale Earnhardt's 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

The 1957 Bel Air, the iconic second generation Chevrolet, is a highlight of the DEI Museum. Powered by a robust 4.3-liter V8 engine capable of producing 287 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque, this classic car is often hailed as a symbol of its era. Notably, Earnhardt maintained the car in its original condition, making it a unique piece in the museum's collection.

Chevrolet Corvette C5-R

A prized possession of Earnhardt's museum, the Corvette C5-R is a legendary race car that competed in the grueling 24 Hours of Daytona. The car is featured in its original livery with the #3 decal. Although the car was initially fitted with a 6-litre V8 engine, it was swapped for a 7-litre one later in 1999. The engine produced 610 horsepower at 6200 RPM and 570 lb-ft of torque at 5600 RPM.

The car features the names of the four drivers who took part in the 2001 24 Hours of Daytona: Kelly Collins, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Andy Pilgrim. Their combined efforts secured a commendable fourth-place finish for the #3 car, while their teammates in the sister C5-R claimed victory in the race.

1999 #8 Cup Series Chevy

In the 1999 Winston Cup Series season, Earnhardt's son, Dale Jr., made a limited five-race appearance. During these races, he drove the #8 Chevy in an eye-catching, red-colored livery. At the time, the cars were equipped with V8 engines.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevy Camaro, an iconic American muscle car, has been in production since the 1960s. Earnhardt's collection showcases a prime example of this legendary model: a 1969 Camaro. Equipped with a naturally aspirated 4.9-liter engine generating 290 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque, this was the final iteration of the first-generation Camaro.