Paint change?
Popular Reply
Apr 5, 2021, 03:41 PM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 1,196
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
A color change will affect the resale value and it will also remove a group of potential buyers from the pool.
Ray
Ray
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 494
From: Michigan
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
No Change. In the USA the top three most popular car paint colors in order are white, black and silver. For the C7 Corvette the top three paint colors are red, white and black.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 192
From: nj
COLOR IS A BARGAINING CHIP FOR BUYER. Some buyers do care, many could care less. still will bargain based on color. Can't say one way or the other which market is bigger. you only need one buyer, not a consensus.
Quality of the car is what sets the theme. seams, paint condition, body work, frame, suspension, interior condition.
Quality of the car is what sets the theme. seams, paint condition, body work, frame, suspension, interior condition.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
I guess folks forgot the gent that bought a car he was perfectly happy with in its existing color and then became incensed when he found out it wasn't the ORIIGNAL color per the trim tag and went after the seller legally to score a few thou on an "as is' sale... Seems like some people are happy with a color - until they're not.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Fresno California
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Whew, couldn’t disagree more. Regardless of whether people care, a color change on a C2 thats in reasonably original condition otherwise can reduce its market value by the cost of a new re-paint.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,727
Likes: 711
From: Bergen County, NJ
IMO, if the car is kept mostly with original type parts, a buyer would want the original color, and would pay less if a different color.
If the car is a hodgepodge of different type parts, then it wouldn't matter much.
The correct trim tag is a plus no matter what color.
If the car is a hodgepodge of different type parts, then it wouldn't matter much.
The correct trim tag is a plus no matter what color.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,121
Likes: 9,429
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
IMO, if the car is kept mostly with original type parts, a buyer would want the original color, and would pay less if a different color.
If the car is a hodgepodge of different type parts, then it wouldn't matter much.
The correct trim tag is a plus no matter what color.
If the car is a hodgepodge of different type parts, then it wouldn't matter much.
The correct trim tag is a plus no matter what color.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 1,207
From: Beavercreek Ohio Currently own: 1958 Silver Blue Corvette & 1969 Riverside Gold Corvette Coupe
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Changing the paint color is a catastrophic way to really screw a car up, especially if it’s not done properly. I’ve seen color changes where the masking was sloppy and engine compartment and other key areas were left painted the original color. Not the kind of treatment that collectible cars deserve.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
I guess folks forgot the gent that bought a car he was perfectly happy with in its existing color and then became incensed when he found out it wasn't the ORIIGNAL color per the trim tag and went after the seller legally to score a few thou on an "as is' sale... Seems like some people are happy with a color - until they're not.
I wouldn't buy a Marina Blue Corvette for any money. Same car, red, silver, I'd buy. If if had red side walls on the tires, that'd be the first thing to go, that is, if I even bought it.
Most don't care what is stamped on the trim tag.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 438
Likes: 185
From: Auburn Wa
My car, my way. My 66 was maroon but my wife didn't care for that color so it will soon be 50th anniversary red. I don't care about the next guy, it's a "keeper" and I'll never meet him! Do what makes you happy and enjoy and don't worry about the $$$
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,693
Likes: 3,682
From: Central Arkansas
I would tend to agree with this. A color change on a documented, original engine, excellent condition, desirable car could be a considerable price hit. A color change on a NOM but correctly engine in a nice, otherwise original equipment car would probably impact the value to some degree but not as much as the original engine car. A color change on a NOM car with an incorrect engine, body mods and other non original changes would probably be nil.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Over simplify. NCRS type all original a major hit. A full blown resto-mod based on recent B/J sales not at all.
I think on a nice driver quality C2 with NOM but period correct look under the hood and available color and trim for that model year not so much.
If someone is looking for a correct car they pass and keep looking.
Bottom line your car your choice. If it's keep it forever do what you want.
I think on a nice driver quality C2 with NOM but period correct look under the hood and available color and trim for that model year not so much.
If someone is looking for a correct car they pass and keep looking.
Bottom line your car your choice. If it's keep it forever do what you want.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13,639
Likes: 3,584
From: NorCal
I once had a white 67 coupe repainted in Marlboro Maroon, another 67 color, because to me midyears don't look so great in white. A few years later someone bought it knowing about the color change, but the car was so nice (350hp/4 spd/factory AC, shoulder harnesses, headrests, leather, sidepipes, bolt-ons, all perfect factory stuff except for the teak wheel) that he buyer flew in from Alabama for the inspection and couldn't have been happier. Anything but white or yellow for me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 283
Anything but “look at me Red” for me. Color is a very personal decision, and Red is probably the most popular C2 color. It’s your car, do as you wish and what makes you happy. Somebody will like the red color.