aks801

Right now I'm targeting to acquire a '70-'72 coupe sometime next year. Without question, my favorite color combo is Steel Cities Gray with black interior. While I would definitely prefer to buy one that is/was originally in that color, I am not beholden to that. This is because I want to enjoy the car I already have pictured in my head, and not just stay original/correct (not that there's anything wrong with that...). Similarly, I'll convert the car to a big block (complete with the BB hood) if it is not there already (will probably go with a new GM crate engine: gasp!). Given all that, I'll be looking for a car that is in good shape, but certainly not anything especially rare or a show car, since I'd be taking actions that would be lessening its established value in that case.

So. I haven't seen many in this color. Was it a low production option? While some contend that the car can look greenish in this color (I can almost see that) it still looks sharp to me. Anyone have pics they can post? I know there's one CF member that has one for his avatar, but besides that pic (a conv) and pics of one I saw on eBay a few months back, just haven't seen any.

Thanks for any feedback.

7T1vette

If you buy a Steel Cities Gray car...with paint in good condition, get ready to 'pay the piper'. You might be wiser to buy a BB car in good mechanical condition but with poor paint [at a good price], then paint it the way you want it. That way, you don't have to pay for a 'numbers matching' vehicle...which you don't want anyway. You might want to search for a resonably-priced painter with Corvette experience and get a rough quote before you even go that direction. (just to see what the paint will cost) Then you can factor that all together when you are dealing to buy your car. Good luck.

Sully1882

Steel Cities Grey Metallic is a rare color these days... you see some here and there but not many. I don't know the numbers for sure but I do believe it was the second rarest in 72, not sure on 71 though. I'm sure a few of the other guys will chime in with some pics soon. My 72 coupe was originally SCGM, then it was painted orange and then black. At this time mine is stripped down and waiting on the paint to be sprayed in the next month or so. Good luck on locating one. I'd plan on trying to find a car in good mechanical and good body condition with poor paint like 7T1Vette was speaking of and making your mods from there. Strip it yourself and do the trim and bumper disassembly and then send her off for paint. I agree with you that a SCGM car with black interior is awesome. I think there is a small block coupe for sale through Corvette Mike and there was one up in Ontario a few months back up for sale on fleebay too... good luck with the hunt.

paint code for SCGM is 988 by the way...

hth

Sully

Sully1882

oh and in 1970 i think it was Laguna Grey and steel cities was only in 71 and 72...

Sully

kdlp

The "Black Book" agrees with you. In 1971 there were 21,801 Corvettes made, 1,591 were Steel Cities Gray. In 1972 there were 27,004 Corvettes made and 2,346 were Steel City Gray.

That would be about 7% SCG Vettes for 1971 and 8.5% for 1972. Considering that we're talking 35+ years ago it's no surprise that they aren't on every street corner....

Good Luck!

kdlp

bamavettes

I have owned this 72 with steel cities gray for 10 years. It is a very nice color.

early shark

Steel Cities Grey, War Bonnet Yellow & Ontario Orange were all special firemist colors. They were an extra cost option back in '71 & '72.

jr9170

jr9170

A friend of mine had a opputunity to buy a 72 SCG coupe that is currently painted red for about 14k,but he passed on it.I told him it was a great deal especially since it was originally coded SCG and for the price was a no brainer.

LoneStar26047

Many, many, many, absolutely stunning Corvette's in the forum but the color, chrome bumpers and convertible top makes this my absolutely favorite one!

Love the way the Steel Cities Gray almost looks green at times.

Corvette ED

I love Steel Cities Gray with red Interior

turbojet

Just bought this 71 about a month ago, love it drives and sounds great, but the best part is that the original color is SCGM 988. Going to enjoy
it for awhile then paint it.

7T1vette

Ooooooo! Steel Cities Gray 'Firemist'... Wow! That would be something. [I didn't know it was one of the Firemist paint options.]

outlawkinser

In '73 they changed it to Silver, Paint Code 914 and in '74 they called it Silver Mist, Paint Code 14. Not as intriguing as the Steel Cities Gray but mine is original and I like the way it looks. BTW, mine has the Black leather interior.

jr9170

That is the car my friend passed on.I was interested in it myself as it is a great looking and driving 71.Good Luck and enjoy...

aks801

Thanks for all the replies.

Is there anything about this paint code that will make it any more expensive than a typical color? Expensive in terms of paint cost itself, and in the work required of the painter.

Sully1882

No, it is a metallic paint and nothing special needs to be done on the paint prep that is different from any other color that you would paint a corvette nor would there be any price difference from any other metallic paint. As said before GM back then called all their metallic paints "FIREMIST" and Steel Cities Grey code 988 was one of the firemist colors. I have always loved this color and was surprised to see an updated version of it on the C5s in 2003 and 2004. That color was called Spiral Cities Grey. Both are just so unique and different. With varying light intensity and angles it can look anywhere from dark grey to silver to almost light green. Really cool color for sure! I'm glad I have one.

Sully

Sully1882

If this guy was a friend of mine I do believe I would smack him for that loss.... but as usual... one's loss is another's gain!




Sully

7T1vette

Actually, the "Firemist" was a paint option which could be applied to some of the assigned colors for that year. I can't remember the years Corvette offered "Firemist" colors, but think it was from mid/late 60's thru early 70's. "Firemist" colors had additional metallic particles put into the standard paint so it had more 'glitter'; the option was started by Cadillac in the 50's, I believe. I specifically recall that Ontario Orange was one of the "Firemist" colors and I've seen both standard and optioned factory-original OO paints...quite a difference in appearance; the "Firemist" really jumps out at you when in the sun or bright light. So, if you want "Firemist" paint, ask your local auto paint supply store how to mix it properly. They have all the info on factory paint specs.

randyward

SCG was the best color they ever had.
Rand