Xring01

Will I was fortunate enough to pick up a 72 Vette.

Imagine a frame up restoration, that didnt remove the frame and was never quite finished.

Pretty much everything that bolts to the frame is brand new. Brakes, Rotors, Bearings, Break Lines, Fuel Tanks, Fuel lines, Bushings, on an and on... with 5-6 boxs of brand new parts and a complete enterior kit.

The Engine and tranny are number matching, engine runs great, but the tranny needs a rebuild. The engine appears to be stock, including the QJet. But, it runs like it has more than 200HP.

So this is a factory, 4Speed, Pewter Silver, AC, Stereo, Rear Defroster, Brown Leather interior, optioned car than I need to finish. Really doesnt need that much.

So, I am in a delima, when I repaint it, do I go with my dream of yellow or red, or stick to the stock color. Will having a pretty original car, with original color add any value to the car? Or what should I do.

And the car has about 90% of the body work done, and almost ready for paint.

Has an appt next week with my Transmission guy to get that fixed.

CVO2FIXUP

No to many silver ones out there. Tons of red and yellow. I would go original. Silver is super nice classic colour. Its the hardest colour to pain correctly. So if you do go with the silver, make sure you get a reputable painter to do it. Cheers.

Alan 71

Hi X,
You need to do what will make you happy.
Painting the car a color other than what the trim tag indicates will decrease it's value to someone who is interested in originality.
For someone who isn't interested in originality the change in color will just become a matter of if they like it or not.
I think the color change affects the car's value negatively… but not everyone agrees.
I would encourage you to paint it silver.
Regards,
Alan

Don Rickles

Years ago My buddy was in the same position as you, debating on returning his at the time red Vette to it's original Pewter. It was a tough decision for him but he did have the car painted it's factory original color.

I can say when he brought it out to the first show, it was a huge hit! He was extremely happy to hear so many compliments.

IMO, Pewter is stunning on a vette!

corvgreg

Pewter silver looks great on a 72--go with it and as others said it will add value for originality.

cv67

paint it the color you want youll enjoy it more
why do it a color you dont like, you wont enjoy it but maybe someone else will that makes no sense its not worth it
I dont think "someone else" exists
Theres a buyer for every color dont sweat it. Id have hated mine if it were the original shade! the thought of "maybe it will be worth a little more" the entire time..why bother

The ncrs guy that has to hav ethe perfect original everything is probably looking for a much more expensive/rare combo anyway opinons are all over the place. Not once has any potential buyer noticed or complained I changed the shades it either rocks thier boat or it dont.


Cars are like women, choose what you like not what you think someone else will approve of.

Xring01

From what I researched. The Pewter Silver are the rarest of the 72 Models. Combine that with 4 Speed, AC, stereo, etc... there were not many made just like this one.

I am leaning towards the silver, but havent talked my self into it yet

Makonut

Do what you like.. But with the numbers matching, I would go with the silver. It is a stunning color.

brick1234

if it was me go the color you like, even if not factory color you will like it better.

doorgunner

Strategy.........if you aren't planning on keeping the car for 10-20 years, paint it the original color.

If you do not plan on selling the car paint it the color you like best.....if you finally decide to sell it years later paint it the original color for resale value.

Win/Win!

tokim

I used to have a Pewter '72 coupe..loved the color.
With such a personal attachment we have with these cars, you MUST paint it to your taste, resale be damned.

Wee

I also have a 72 coupe, 4spd with AC that came from the factory pewter silver....It's now black and the matching numbers engine and transmission are long gone so if I ever paint it, silver would not be the choice...That said if it was matching numbers I would definitely paint it back the stock color.

You have a tuff decision to make and Congrats on the new ride.

Brian

cv67

if you have to talk yourself into liking it dont do it!!

Yrs ago bought a perfect 70 Z/28 fresh frame off....rare color combo, too ! Citrus green/green cloth. Well rare made it worth less in this case
It was fn ugly to most noone wanted it. I got it for a song so I bought it made it a daily for a few yrs, guy I sold it too same thing.
Not trying to sway you in either direction but its a lot more satisfying to love the way your car looks than to settle or ??

Most cars that came out of a resto shop I worked at yrs ago no matter what the tag said they were all marina blue, red or black they always brought top buck, too.



meantime look into a fan shroud

Xring01

Awesome opinions, and I appreciate all, that made an effort to share. Truly, thank you.

Clarfications: IMHO, their is not color 72 vettte thats ugly in my opinion, including rust... Like an artist, I see the potential beauty of the lines, chrome, wheels, etc.

IMHO, IF I truly wanted my dream C3 it would be a factory 427 , regardless of color.

So, Life presented me with what I have, Considering the above, and to truly honor what I have, I think I will go with factory Pewter Silver.

Because it will never be a 427, or 63 Split 427, Or many others that I truly appreciate. Combined with Yellow, wow... Few cars can pull off yellow.

To digress

A classic vette is still a classic vette, and gets my respect.

When life presented me with this potential GEM. Then I need respect that.

If the numbers were not matching, then the gloves are off, I would make it a restro mod, 1000hp fast, loud, beast... tire destoying beast.

This one deserves to be honored for who she is

cv67

you cant make a bad decision as you said regardless its still a 72 vette. Even in primer its still cool. Enjoy

128racecar

Painting a Vette is expensive, so plan on doing it only once (unless you own your own paint shop). Don't plan on painting it again when you sell it, as you'll never recoup your cost with a base 350. Maybe with a more desirable model like a 454 or LT-1, but then everything else will need to be correct as well to garner top value. My vote would be paint it a color you like, and if happens to be silver, more power to you!

Marc in Indy
WHITE 72 base 350 auto survivor, but only because I like it that way

Alan 71

Hi X,
"And the car has about 90% of the body work done, and almost ready for paint."
??

I can't imaging going through all the work and expense of painting the car, (regardless of what color you chose), without knowing what the repairs were, how well they were done, and what's under the remaining paint.
Regards,
Alan

Xring01

She is a cream puff. Owned by a wealthy collector, who was planning to build it with his son. However his son went into the army and wanted one of his other cars... He has many many cars, from what I could see, and had ware house full of other cars... At his house, couple of vettes, 32 food, 67 mustang, a couple under covers etc.

So, the body work is some of the best I have ever seen. The level of detail that he shared with me on the one/only fiberglass repair, he went above and beyond with the right GM parts and glass, filler etc. I have box's of GM Parts for it.

Everything he touched on it, was done right. I have no reason what so ever to second guess it.

Right down to him telling me the new power steering pump has a slight leak, which ticked him off because its brand new.

Alan 71

Hi X,
Am I seeing silver paint remaining on the car?
Regards,
Alan

Xring01

Yes, thats the original paint, its never been repainted.