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I am planning on buying a 80,81,82 that needs paint and interior.
You have a clean slate. What colors do you do. No mod two tones.
I am leaning towards black body and light grey interior or oyster.
stock exterior colors? there is no right answer that you will like on here. go what you like and don't worry about what anyone else likes. I do like black with gray interior
If you're not worried about what the trim tag says that's a great combination.
The vette I might buy isn't one of those mythical original air in tires, super low miles sat in garage for 32 years vettes. It is an old car that needs to be gone over. It needs most of the interior done and the body needs paint.
The black with a silver or oyster interior looks great. I have an oyster interior in mine, I'm thinking of painting it electric blue which also looks great with a silver or oyster interior.
Black is my favorite color for a car. However, the ones I've owned have been a PITA to keep clean. Finish washing and the dust is already beginning to collect. My son has orders to shoot me if he finds me looking at another black car.
I like DSOM (2005) or Torch Red (C5) with a doeskin interior. Electron Blue (2002-2003) is also a great color, but I'm not sure how it would look on a 1980-82 C3. Cadillac Crystal Red is very nice. DSOM/EB/Cadillac CR are all tricoat paints - so cost is a bit of a factor. Several nice darker reds on a variety of recent model domestic and import cars/pickups.
I would avoid "Bass Boat" sized metallic flake in any paint, but that is just a personal preference. When in doubt, go with a traditional color - 1981 with both St Louis and Bowling Green producing cars has a wide pallet.
My 2¢: If you plan on using the car a lot, I'd recommend a darker interior, as they are easier to keep clean (or at least looking clean!) I had a daily driver (though not a 'Vette) with a light grey interior, and it was a bear keeping it looking nice. My current DD has a black interior, and I am slowly changing the '80 from doeskin to black.
On the other hand, the light interiors do look sharp in contrast to a dark exterior, so it comes back to personal preference.