Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the company that's best known for wrapping a car in brown paper, has stripped the paper off to reveal some unusual artwork underneath. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Enterprise is inviting the public to malls, stadiums, and town squares throughout the U.S. to participate in its traveling exhibit of paint-by-numbers classic American cars.

At the beginning of the cross-country automobile exhibit, five classic cars started out as blank, white canvases. During each stop in hometowns throughout the country, people help turn the canvases into colorful works of art representing Americana over the last five decades. By the end of the tour, each car -- one from each of the five decades Enterprise has been in business-will celebrate the American culture and spirit of the specific decade it represents.

The paint-by-numbers designs are the outcome of a national art school competition sponsored by Enterprise earlier this year. The aspiring artists' winning designs have been stenciled onto a vinyl cover and divided into color blocks, similar to how a typical city-bus mural is created. As the cars travel from city to city, portions of the designs are being filled in by various local celebrities, dignitaries, employees, United Way agency representatives, and passersby.

"The cars are truly works of art, in and of themselves," said Andy Taylor, president and CEO of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. "We couldn't be more pleased to involve our employees, communities, and charities across the country in such a hands-on anniversary program that spotlights up-and-coming artists. Extending opportunities to great, undiscovered talent is reflective of our management trainee program and culture at Enterprise for the past 40 years. It's the source of our success."

The anniversary odyssey is making spotlight appearances at special events in more than 55 cities. This began with a ceremonial kick-off in the company's hometown, St. Louis, on March 25 and will conclude in Chicago in late October. The Americana Artomobile exhibition is driving into America's hometowns because Enterprise provides rental cars to people in their neighborhoods when their own car is in the repair shop or when they simply need a safer or larger car for a short trip, special occasion, or out-of-town guests.

At each tour stop, passersby and participants in the anniversary celebration have the opportunity to enter their names in the random drawing to win an anniversary car of their choice. The classic cars, representative of the current and last four decades, are the 1957 Chevy Bel Air, 1960 Cadillac De Ville, 1971 Monte Carlo, 1982 Camaro Z-28 and the rugged 1997 Tahoe.

Donations will go to various United Way agencies and their affiliates. Two winners will be drawn at the close of the program in October. (NAPSI)