History told in stickers: vintage trends in classic cars and a nostalgic detail that is making a strong comeback.
If there's one thing true classic car lovers know, it's that every car has its own story.
Not only because of the years he's lived or the places he's visited, but also because of the small details that make him unique.
And among those details, there is an element that sometimes goes unnoticed, but that holds enormous sentimental value: the vintage stickers.
Those stickers that, over time, become marks of battles won, unforgettable trips, and memories worth preserving.
Today I want to talk to you about how stickers have told stories about wheels and why, in the world of classic cars, they're making a strong comeback.
1. Adhesives and their connection to automotive culture
Car stickers aren't just decorative. They're silent witnesses to a golden age.
Think about the classic 70s muscle cars with their stickers of oil brands, or in the Volkswagen Beetle with festival and legendary route stickers.
Each sticker has a story. A road trip with friends, a local race, a visit to a specialized workshop... They're little fragments of life stuck onto the car body.
And although for a time they were seen as "passed fashion," today they are resurfacing with a nostalgic charm.
2. Vintage Trends: The Return of Classic Car Stickers
If we've learned anything in this world, it's that classic never goes out of style.
And vintage stickers are making a strong comeback, but with a fresh take.
Now, collectors are recovering original stickers from the era, carefully restoring them or even replicating them with modern designs but still retaining the essence of the past.
Among the most popular trends, the following stand out:
⛽ Stickers of old gas stations and oil brands (Shell, Texaco, Mobil).
🏎️ Original dealer stickers from past decades.
🚙 Vintage car club and rally stickers.
✅ Stickers of iconic events like Le Mans, Daytona or Monte Carlo.
If you've ever found an old sticker on a classic car and been curious about its history, you know what I'm talking about.
3. Stories pasted on the plate
To help you understand how special these stickers can be, I'll tell you two stories I experienced firsthand with two friends.
The Mustang and the 76 sticker
A good friend bought a 1969 Ford Mustang, but I didn't know much about his past.
While restoring it, he found a small sticker on the rear windshield: «Auto Show 1976».
Intrigued, he searched records and discovered that his car had been displayed at a historic event.
The sticker wasn't just a piece of vinyl, it was a testament to the fact that their classic had been a star in its day.
That sticker is now part of the car's identity.
The Kombi and the lost trips
Another friend, collector of Volkswagen Kombi, bought a unit with stickers from different countries on the back.
There were stamps from Brazil, Argentina, Peru and even Alaska.
Each one represented a journey taken by the previous owners. Instead of removing them, he preserved them and complemented them with his own adventures.
Today, his Kombi is more than a restored vehicle, it's a four-wheeled travel diary.
4. Should adhesives be part of a restoration?
Here is a interesting debate in the world of collectors.
Some believe that a restoration should leave the car "as it left the factory," removing stickers, scratches, and any "traces" of the past.
Others, however, value these details because they are part of the car's authenticity.
Personally, I think that If a sticker has a history, it deserves to stay.
Restoring doesn't mean erasing, but rather preserving what's valuable. And if a sticker has witnessed a car's life, it deserves to continue telling its story.
5. Where to get vintage stickers for your classic
If you want to give your car a nostalgic touch, here are some ideas for finding authentic vintage decals or faithful recreations:
📌 Collectors' markets: Places like eBay, classic car shows, or Facebook groups.
📌 Stores specializing in retro accessories.
📌 Modern reproductions with vintage design (some brands have relaunched classic stickers).
📌 Custom printing, if you want a special design for your car.
There's nothing like finding a sticker with a real story, but if you can't, a good reproduction will do just fine.
Stickers are more than decoration, they are souvenirs on wheels
For some, decals on classic cars are just stickers. But for us, those of us who love these soulful machines, they are living reminders of a golden age.
Each sticker can represent a story, a race, a trip, or simply a special moment in the life of a car and its owner.
If you have a classic car with old decals, think twice before removing them. You may be erasing a part of its past.
And you, do you have any stories stuck on the license plate of your classic? Tell me in the comments!
+Black plate: How I got mine for my classic cars
He's been passionate about classic cars for as long as he can remember. His story began in his grandfather's garage, watching the painstaking restoration of a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. It was in that space, amid the smell of grease and the stories told, that he discovered his love for old four-wheelers.