Lionel Authentics: Jeff Gordon '2015 Final Ride' Chevy

Lionel Racing more often than not does things that drive most collectors crazy. The company essentially has a monopoly on the diecast market around Nascar, so it's usually a take it or leave it philosophy that collectors of modern stock cars are limited to. 

But back in 2016, they weren't the only manufacturer, but many fans recognized the superiority of Lionel's Gold Line Gen 6 castings. Those were at the time only available at the racetracks and race team shops. But Lionel recognized an opportunity, and created the Nascar 'Lionel Authentics' line. I almost felt bad cracking this car open. Not just because the example is an all-time top paint scheme, but also because it was one of six cars offered in the first ever Wave 01. For a closer look at one of the original six cars, and Jeff Gordon's last car driven during his last full time season in Nascar, read on...

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Above: Lionel Racing issued six cars from the 2015 season as part of the launch of the Authentics line.  (Lionelracing.com).

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The real thing: Jeff Gordon's final ride race car was recently put on display at the Hendrick Motorsports museum in March of 2025. The car had never been on display until that point. (Photograph courteousy of Diecastcurio.com).

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Notes:
Some of the cars from the 2016 fleet of Lionel Authentics cars are nearly as nice, as some of the Gold Line cars that are being produced today. It's apparent, that when Lionel put the work in to successfully launch their brick and mortar line, that the products available would be almost as nice at the trackside products. The main difference between the two in 2016, as a gray insert in the assemble that would sit between the car's chassis and the car's outer diecast body. 

This offering from Lionel Racing is quite nice. The main issue if there is one, is the metal flake paint used to capture the metallic glossy silver color used as the base color for Jeff Gordon's final race car. If used on a full scale race car, this pain would perhaps nicely replicate the look of the historic stock car, but in this scale, it's far too glittery. 

Nonetheless, this car is a must have for virtually any major Nascar fan. There are so many important connections that can be drawn to this car, it's a personal top 100 paint scheme for me. Not only that, it's one of the six original cars from the now ubiquitous Authentics line. For even more, check out my Detailed Review.

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Sources:
-Hendrickmotorsports.com
-Jayski.com
-Lionelracing.com
-Nascar.com
-Racing-reference.info