Jim Downey

Hi I am looking at purchasing a '69 convertible corvette. The build tag says paint 900 but the car is red. Do you recommend if painting to return it to the original colour (black) or leave it red?

I see from the posts black was a popular colour. Is that still the case?

Jim

Easy Mike

That would be a personal choice for you. It would be your car.

Alan 71

Hi Jim,
In SOME cases a car that is painted in a color other than the one indicated on it's trim tag has a diminished value to SOME buyers.
There are many factors that enter in to that determination, and also into how much the value is diminished.
Does it matter to you?
Regards,
Alan

RMVette

My preference would be red, however I do lean to keeping it as much factory original as possible....so I'm torn. What's the interior color? Not sure if I'd want a black car with black interior.

I know that didn't answer your question, so paint it as you wish!

SPCL FX

If the paint work is excellent then enjoy it , when you tire of that color then put it back in black ! It will be like getting your car all over again !

( JMHO )

Metalhead140

Black over red any day... I'd paint a factory red car black if it were mine! In fact I've done that with 2 different MGs.

vettebuyer6369

Black is considered a premium color in 1969. It was the last year Corvette was available in black until 1977 and routinely carries a bit of a bump in price, only of course when it has the matching code 900 tag.

I looked for a long time to find a triple black '69 roadster with the correct tag. Almost every car I looked at used to be Fathom Green.

If you prefer red to black that's another conversation, but a '69 with a code 900 tag painted correct Tuxedo Black is maximum value.

7T1vette

You bought a RED car. If the paint job is decent, just keep it that way.

$0 is good.

hummiscorvettetaken

Consider the value being the number on the trim tag, it doesn't matter if it happens to be be painted red at this point in time, it's still a black car - If you like red then you have the best of both worlds!

revneck

I wont own a black car - They can't be kept clean

Easy Mike

Ya think.

Hayes69

A true black car is hard to find. Heck I think even fake black cars are hard to find. That being said, I would go with whatever your preference is. Paint is expensive, so you may not get the money out of it, but when it needs paint again I would probably go back to black for the value. So many cars are green and gold. That might be ok if I went to Baylor.

69Vett

changing full color, corvette done right, is extremely expensive.
10k plus you good with that ?

vettebuyer6369

I was going to answer this but Mike beat me to it.

RMVette

Beautiful car and I love the redlines!

Jim Downey

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies I know it will be a bit of a big decision to change the colour back to black. It will need a repaint in the future sometime. I have couple of other interesting questions.

1. This is an L88 car. It is a beast and a lot of fun to drive I see they are a valuable car with all the right paperwork. It would appear it is a genuine L88 car without the original build sheet from the factory. Does this diminish the value greatly? The vin plate and engine and everything else looks correct. It is a factory 4 speed with quite a few options. The plate in the centre console also says L88. 116 for this year.

2. The Build tag shows D26 which is November 1968 build month. Is it normal for the year of the car to be a 1969 as this one is? (Possibly the year of First registration?) or is this a red flag that I should be wary of?

3. Trim is ZQ4 - Black Vinyl and paint is 900 black. Hence my previous question.

Photo of build tag is attached

Thanks for all of your helpful replies.

Jim

Easy Mike

1969 model year production began in August, 1968.

The potential red flag you might want to be wary of is a reported L-88 car without factory documentation. Have you confirmed this car is what it is reported to be?

hummiscorvettetaken

A Factory Black car that now has an L88.. this is getting good

Jim Downey

Hi Mike, I am not sure how to do that other than through vin tag and engine which is the same. Can you give me any further avenues of enquiry? Does Chevrolet keep accurate records from those years?

Any help would be appreciated
Jim

bigredbrad

19 posts and now you drop the "Its an L88" on us??

Wether it is black or red is the least of your concerns at this point.

Pass the popcorn hummiscorvettetaken...


bigredbrad