Does Color Matter
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Does Color Matter
I am in the process of restoring a 1976 corvette. I am doing a body off restoration including frame, floors, suspension, body interior and engine. It is a numbers matching L-48 motor with the 4 speed which I am going to rebuild to something around 300-400 horsepower. Being that the 1976 is not a desirable year will the color I choose affect the value when I go to eventually sell it? I have always loved the two-tone black and silver of the 78. Will I be hurting the value of mine by going with the two tone paint scheme, which was not available in 76? Thanks in advance for the help.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
Most will tell you changing the color devalues the car.
I say paint it whatever color(s) you like.
My car was Cordovan Maroon from the factory.
I wanted the beautiful Cortez Silver...
My wife and the painter out voted me (and my 8 large).
So it's black...
I say paint it whatever color(s) you like.
My car was Cordovan Maroon from the factory.
I wanted the beautiful Cortez Silver...
My wife and the painter out voted me (and my 8 large).
So it's black...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
Like you said, 76's will never be a high price car even kept original. However I like my original blue soooooo well that when I repainted it(2 times), it went back the original medium blue. If you want another color(which there are plenty to choose from, even corvette colors), go ahead and change it!!!! Why not drive a car that you enjoy the color of, and others will too!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 665
From: Northeast
"Will I be hurting the value of mine by going with the two tone paint scheme"
" will the color I choose affect the value when I go to eventually sell it"
Yes.
You have narrowed down the number of buyers who will take a look; needing to find someone who likes a two tone (not on a 78 Pace Car)
whereas there might be 1000 who would buy your car if it was black, blue, yellow, etc.
Good luck.
" will the color I choose affect the value when I go to eventually sell it"
Yes.
You have narrowed down the number of buyers who will take a look; needing to find someone who likes a two tone (not on a 78 Pace Car)
whereas there might be 1000 who would buy your car if it was black, blue, yellow, etc.
Good luck.
Last edited by BKarol; Nov 4, 2013 at 08:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
I don't think you can hurt a '76s value with a color change. I do not think that too many people buy '76 corvettes with NCRS/Bloomington Gold in mind. I think people buy '76s on what is affordable, and what looks best.
Paint it your color of choice and enjoy it. When it comes time to sell, you may have netted more prospective buyers with the paint change. That is my opinion.
Paint it your color of choice and enjoy it. When it comes time to sell, you may have netted more prospective buyers with the paint change. That is my opinion.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,920
Likes: 6,178
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Im not going to answer the question "should I paint it a different color?" You didn't ask that.
You asked the question, "does a color change negatively affect the value?"
The answer is generally, yes. It doesn't mean you won't eventually find a buyer who doesn't care.
Especially so, given you are doing a body off on a '76, which could leave you in the red either way.
I'd also mention that the design you are talking about (custom silver over black, ala Pace Car) will be even harder to sell than just a simple color change.
You asked the question, "does a color change negatively affect the value?"
The answer is generally, yes. It doesn't mean you won't eventually find a buyer who doesn't care.
Especially so, given you are doing a body off on a '76, which could leave you in the red either way.
I'd also mention that the design you are talking about (custom silver over black, ala Pace Car) will be even harder to sell than just a simple color change.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
At resale time, about one third of potential buyers will not want the color change; a second third will not mind the color change provided they like the color(s) you chose. A final third will not realize the car has been repainted and will not know where to look for the original color.
It's your car; paint it the way you want it.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Nov 6, 2013 at 08:17 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
At resale time, about one third of potential buyers will not want the color change; a second third will not mind the color change provided they like the color(s) you chose. A final third will not realize the car has been rpeainted and will not know where to look for the original color.
It's your car; paint it the way you want it.
amenchange the color who cares
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
At resale time, about one third of potential buyers will not want the color change; a second third will not mind the color change provided they like the color(s) you chose. A final third will not realize the car has been rpeainted and will not know where to look for the original color.
It's your car; paint it the way you want it.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,443
Likes: 326
From: Indy Indiana
yes you will lower the number of potential buyers. you will want to protect your investment to some degree.
but...
a major restoration of a 76 will most definitely put you upside down on the car anyway. a color change will only put you just a little more upside down..
a great paint job will always make the car sell easier, if the color is tasteful.
now if you were changing a triple black 69 to green.. that's another story.
but...
a major restoration of a 76 will most definitely put you upside down on the car anyway. a color change will only put you just a little more upside down..
a great paint job will always make the car sell easier, if the color is tasteful.
now if you were changing a triple black 69 to green.. that's another story.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Paint it the color thats gonna thrill you every time you look at it. Being "correct" and hating it, whats the point. Make it yours dont worry about the next guy. They may just appreciate yours and want it even more. Azz for every seat
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 9
From: Winston Ga.
on a 76? paint it what you want. there's a reason its called resell red. I wouldnt hesitate to change the color of my 75 if I had the coin to do so. It would be mille millia (sp) red all day long.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
It's yours enjoy it. Some people have said it could be harder to sell, I say if everyone wants stock colors why are there so many posts asking if the value will be hurt if the color is changed? Enjoy
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
At resale time, about one third of potential buyers will not want the color change; a second third will not mind the color change provided they like the color(s) you chose. A final third will not realize the car has been rpeainted and will not know where to look for the original color.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 88
From: Easton Pennsylvania
I would say paint it whatever color you like. Its your car. BUT. And there is always a but. But just don't choose some crazy color because of some fad or flavor of the day thing just to be different. I have seen plenty of guys paint there cars some crazy color like that new green pearl metallic that I see some of the new cars with or something like that and later on they get tired of it or they can't sell it because the color is too shocking or gawdy or whatever you what to call it. I know, I have been painting cars since the early eighties. Can some of you remember the time during the late 80s early 90s when people were painting their cars in neon colors. THAT! is what I mean. Stick with the classic colors because a good looking car is a good looking car. if its not original , who cares.
Fire retardant suit on!
Fire retardant suit on!
