A Color Chart And A Question
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Le Mans Master
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
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St. Jude Donor '06
A Color Chart And A Question
Enclosed is a chart I worked up of C3 exterior paint colors (the PDF has better detail - 15 years makes for a wide chart). Paint names are from the Corvette Black Book. Approximate colors (and I'm sure they are approximate) are from paintref.com Lines connecting color names mark when the paint code stayed the same but the color name changed. All mistakes are mine, but I'd appreciate knowing about them.
The question: any thoughts on why were there so many color changes in 1982, even from the 1981 Bowling Green colors? One would have thought that things would be relatively quiet in the final C3 year - and few 1982 colors carried over to 1984 ...
The question: any thoughts on why were there so many color changes in 1982, even from the 1981 Bowling Green colors? One would have thought that things would be relatively quiet in the final C3 year - and few 1982 colors carried over to 1984 ...
Last edited by j3studio; Jul 6, 2013 at 05:12 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi j3,
NICE piece of work!
It's interesting to see the distribution of colors change over the years.
For example, 1 silver in 68, but 4 silver tones by 82.
Thanks for the post.
Regards,
Alan
NICE piece of work!
It's interesting to see the distribution of colors change over the years.
For example, 1 silver in 68, but 4 silver tones by 82.
Thanks for the post.
Regards,
Alan
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Le Mans Master
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
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St. Jude Donor '06
Melting Slicks
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From: Peoria Arizona
Fantastic reference tool! Thanks for taking time to put it together and share it. I don't have an answer for you on the '82 colors - great question though. Will be interested to see what info comes up on that.
I have also wondered why black was not offered for so many years. I know the subject has come up in other posts, but I don't think I saw a definitive answer on that.
Adam
I have also wondered why black was not offered for so many years. I know the subject has come up in other posts, but I don't think I saw a definitive answer on that.
Adam
Last edited by AdamMeh; Jul 6, 2013 at 08:22 PM.
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Great! Now, go back and add the GM color code for each of those entries. 
Seriously, you put together a nice piece of work. But, it would be helpful to have the color code in each color block.
Seriously, you put together a nice piece of work. But, it would be helpful to have the color code in each color block.
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Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '06
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Adam,
I've always 'thought' that black wasn't offered because it showed the body fiberglass imperfections more, and, required more finishing work (buffing) than the lighter colors.
In those years even the greens weren't as dark as they became in later years.
Just my own thinking.
Regards,
Alan
I've always 'thought' that black wasn't offered because it showed the body fiberglass imperfections more, and, required more finishing work (buffing) than the lighter colors.
In those years even the greens weren't as dark as they became in later years.
Just my own thinking.
Regards,
Alan
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Drifting
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From: Deplorableville Nebraska
Very nice work. My only input would be for the stillborn "Ontario Orange" color from 1970. Curious year, as the color reference charts vary as to when they were printed. Some early references list only the Ontario Orange and not the replacement Corvette Bronze, and most later charts omit the Ontario Orange leaving the Bronze.
The '70 Ontario Orange color number is different from the '71 & '72 numbers. I often wonder what the actual color would have been like, as I do like the color. It seems your '70 Orange color chip is a different hue than the next two years.
The '70 Ontario Orange color number is different from the '71 & '72 numbers. I often wonder what the actual color would have been like, as I do like the color. It seems your '70 Orange color chip is a different hue than the next two years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Peoria Arizona
Hi Adam,
I've always 'thought' that black wasn't offered because it showed the body fiberglass imperfections more, and, required more finishing work (buffing) than the lighter colors.
In those years even the greens weren't as dark as they became in later years.
Just my own thinking.
Regards,
Alan
I've always 'thought' that black wasn't offered because it showed the body fiberglass imperfections more, and, required more finishing work (buffing) than the lighter colors.
In those years even the greens weren't as dark as they became in later years.
Just my own thinking.
Regards,
Alan
I would suspect you may be on the right track here. We have a '77 and I'll be the first to admit that the quality on this car is lacking (being as nice as I can here
) I know that '77 was the year black was introduced again as ours is a factory black car, but again, you may very well be right.Adam
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Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '06
Following up: by GM color code, do you mean (for example) WA3525 for Mosport Green?
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2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Example CODE COLOR (For 1971)
905 Nevada Silver
912 Sunflower Yellow
972 Classic White
973 Mille Miglia Red
976 Mulsanne Blue
979 Bridgehampton Blue
983 Brands Hatch Green
987 Ontario Orange
988 Steel Cities Gray
989 War Bonnet Yellow
WB