A "late model car" is a car which has been recently designed or manufactured, often the latest model. (An "early model car" or "classic car" is a car old enough to be of historical interest; there is no usual intermediate term.) The term is broadly used in car racing, and often appears in common use, as in: "The officer was driving an unmarked, late model sedan."

The precise definition of "late model" varies.

Racing

Late model race cars are the highest class of local stock car racing vehicles at many race tracks in the United States and Canada. Some regional and lower national-level series race in late models. Varieties of late models (ranked from highest vehicle performance to lowest) include super late models, late models, and limited late models. Some series require crate motors to be utilized by racecars under their sanction, which often utilize GM 604 engines. Vehicles raced on dirt tracks are significantly different from vehicles raced on asphalt.

Super late models are the premier divisions of asphalt short track racing in the United States and Canada. They typically feature 600+ horse power engines under the hood of a custom built chassis weighing around 2,750 lbs. Most bodies are constructed from fiberglass and conform to the 2002 Approved Body Configuration agreement. This standard, along with the widespread use of this style of racecar, allows teams to not only compete at local tracks but also to travel throughout the country hitting major events nationwide.