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I purchased my '76 Stingray coupe about a year ago. I am the third owner. Evidently the first owner had it repainted (I love this new color). The interior is still (mainly) original. One of the previous owners replaced the stereo, although it's not great. The color of the interior is mainly saddle brown/tan with the dash being a darker brown.
My question is this, should I try to keep the interior as close as I can to the original? Saving/repairing what I can and sticking to the original colors? Would this help to retain it's value?
Nice L-48. The saddle interior is a popular choice. Since the paint has been customized, I don't see that keeping the original interior color adds value to the car. unless you like it. I think black would be better suited for the interior color. Just my two cents.
Last edited by Gold Dragon; Apr 2, 2025 at 03:11 PM.
My project ‘76 had a similar two tone interior, although it was much worse for the wear when I first got it.
I changed everything over to the lighter buckskin color. This included lighter carpet, and dyeing the dash pad. I’m still waiting on some parts, but I’ll be changing over the steering wheel to a mahogany piece too.
IMO if you’re worried about the value of the car I would convert the interior to black.
Thank you so much all! When I first got it I was thinking of changing the interior to black. I will have to Johnny Cash that project (One Piece at a Time)
I agree with the statements both on the value and on the color (black). I don’t think you need to Cash it, as the $ amount for the cans of dye is not a huge amount. As Piersonpie has shown, great results can be achieved. I’ve done a few interior parts as well lately with dye to change to black, and they came out great. On youtube, Corvette Ben and a user by the name of The Driveway have vids that discuss/show this, again with great results. Best of luck with it!
Last edited by litevette; Apr 2, 2025 at 08:30 PM.
If you’re looking at Corvette America dye look into SEM color coat interior paint. You might find they’re the same thing with a different label. One of which is much cheaper than the other…
Personally I don't think buckskin works well with that color. You can either blend or make it pop. Either way would be better.
Originally Posted by Mmench
Thank you so much all! When I first got it I was thinking of changing the interior to black. I will have to Johnny Cash that project (One Piece at a Time)
It would require an entire R&R; a white interior would really pop and compliment the purple.
Interior Question
