Cool Classic Rides
Every design project has a story. This one begins with a passion for timeless automobiles and the challenge of creating a visual identity for a company dedicated to them: Cool Classic Rides. As a designer, my goal is to translate a company’s essence into a compelling brand, and this project was a perfect opportunity to do just that.
The Initial Spark
A "Baseball Vibe" for a Classic Brand
Sometime between 2016 and 2017, while I was a designer at Velare Media in Sherwood, Oregon, I was tasked with an exciting project: designing a logo for a new classic car dealership, Cool Classic Rides. The company, owned and operated by two lifelong friends with a deep love for classic cars and trucks, needed a brand identity that reflected their “old school” business philosophy.[1] They specialize in offering beautiful, daily-driver classic vehicles at affordable prices, handling everything from metal fabrication to upholstery in-house.[1]
To capture this nostalgic and hands-on approach, I developed a brand concept centered around a script font with a distinct “baseball vibe.” This aesthetic choice was intentional; much like baseball, classic cars are a cherished part of American heritage. The flowing script was meant to evoke a sense of craftsmanship and tradition, mirroring the care that Cool Classic Rides puts into restoring their vehicles to their former glory.[1] While I was deep in the creative process of crafting the logo, the team at Velare Media was simultaneously building a corresponding WordPress website, ensuring a cohesive online presence from day one.
The Evolution
Unleashing the "Green Machine"
A year or two later, the Cool Classic Rides brand was ready for its next evolution. The company had commissioned some signage, and a designer at the sign company had sketched a muscle car to accompany the logo. The concept was strong, but the execution needed refinement. I was brought back on board to enhance the design and integrate it seamlessly with the existing brand identity.
The team at Cool Classic Rides had a specific vision: they wanted the car to be a vibrant green. This was a fantastic direction, as the color green often symbolizes growth, vitality, and a connection to the open road. My task was to make this “Green Machine” truly iconic. I retained the original script font to maintain brand consistency and focused on elevating the new illustration. By incorporating dynamic textures and highlights that faded into the design, I was able to make the green pop, giving the muscle car a sense of speed and power. This new logo was more than just a graphic; it was a statement about the exciting and high-quality vehicles that customers could expect from Cool Classic Rides.[2] Their diverse inventory often includes classic Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge models, making the muscle car a fitting emblem for their brand.[1][3]
A New Digital Showroom
Rebuilding on Carsforsale.com
With the powerful new logo in place, Cool Classic Rides decided to enhance their online presence further by rebuilding their website on the Carsforsale.com platform. This move was a strategic one, as the platform offered an easier-to-manage interface for the owner, allowing them to showcase their impressive inventory of classic trucks, SUVs, and coupes more efficiently.[3]
The vibrant green from the “Green Machine” logo became the primary color for the new website’s design, creating a bold and consistent brand experience for online visitors. This final step in the branding journey demonstrates the power of a well-thought-out visual identity. A strong brand is more than just a logo; it’s a comprehensive system that communicates a company’s values and personality across all platforms. For those interested in the principles of effective branding, I highly recommend reading Marty Neumeier’s “The Brand Gap,” a fantastic resource for understanding how to build a successful brand.
The journey of creating the Cool Classic Rides logo, from its initial “baseball vibe” to the powerful “Green Machine,” is a testament to the collaborative and evolutionary nature of brand design. It was a privilege to help shape the visual identity of a company that is so deeply passionate about keeping the spirit of classic automobiles alive and well. You can see their incredible selection of vehicles and the logo in action on their website.
Miss Something? See what else were writing about
