C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Is it definitely Rally Red?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 4, 2014 | 09:42 AM
  #1  
chevyfiftynine's Avatar
chevyfiftynine
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: York UK
Default Is it definitely Rally Red?

Hi Forum,
I'm getting my '69 350 re-sprayed at the moment, but there's a question about the correct paint colour. The plate says 988 which would make it burgundy, but the car is red. I thought it had been re-sprayed red, as bodywork has been done to it in the past, but now the fibreglass has been rubbed down there's no sign of burgundy underneath. That makes me think that it is actually Rally Red, which it looks like on the internet, but that colour was used in '68, not '69, and the code would be 974. Before I order the paint I want to make sure it's correct. Is it possible that it was painted Rally Red in the factory, although the wrong year and given the wrong plate?
Thanks, Barry.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2014 | 10:51 AM
  #2  
marc1973's Avatar
marc1973
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 127
Likes: 1
From: Land o Lakes Florida
Default

Originally Posted by chevyfiftynine
Hi Forum,
I'm getting my '69 350 re-sprayed at the moment, but there's a question about the correct paint colour. The plate says 988 which would make it burgundy, but the car is red. I thought it had been re-sprayed red, as bodywork has been done to it in the past, but now the fibreglass has been rubbed down there's no sign of burgundy underneath. That makes me think that it is actually Rally Red, which it looks like on the internet, but that colour was used in '68, not '69, and the code would be 974. Before I order the paint I want to make sure it's correct. Is it possible that it was painted Rally Red in the factory, although the wrong year and given the wrong plate?
Thanks, Barry.
Could be possible someone stripped it all the way down then painted it red, if you look under the carpet in the car the fiberglass should be painted the original color, atleast my 73 is like that
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2014 | 11:37 AM
  #3  
joewill's Avatar
joewill
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
Default

99% of the time you will be able to find the original color somewhere on the car.. keep looking... under the sills, under bolts, under the carpet, etc...

to answer your question, yes all things are possible. but you will not be able to convince a potential buyer. do a lot of research if you are trying to make it the color that the factory sprayed. if you don't care, then it doesn't matter what color you spray it.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2014 | 11:44 AM
  #4  
Mike Ward's Avatar
Mike Ward
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Default

Originally Posted by chevyfiftynine
Is it possible that it was painted Rally Red in the factory, although the wrong year and given the wrong plate?
Thanks, Barry.
Trim tag errors are extremely rare. I've never heard of a trim tag error combined with painting a car with a colour that was not available in a given year.

No matter what the history is, the colour not agreeing with the trim tag will always raise eyebrows.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2014 | 12:22 PM
  #5  
joewill's Avatar
joewill
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
Default

i don't know the difference between rally red ( 68) and monza red (69) .. most people don't. eyeballing an image on the internet is a crap shoot due to camera exposure and lighting. I bet your red is really 'corvette resale red'.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2014 | 12:25 PM
  #6  
AkrHack's Avatar
AkrHack
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 278
From: Akron OH
Default

Originally Posted by joewill
99% of the time you will be able to find the original color somewhere on the car.. keep looking... under the sills, under bolts, under the carpet, etc...

to answer your question, yes all things are possible. but you will not be able to convince a potential buyer. do a lot of research if you are trying to make it the color that the factory sprayed. if you don't care, then it doesn't matter what color you spray it.
I agree with Joe. If you look hard enough, you'll find the original color. My '71 had the color changed from Brands Hatch green to Marlboro Maroon. They did a nice job of hiding the original color. The only evidence that I found was under the carpet after I removed the door sills and on the doors under the door panels.

Last edited by AkrHack; Dec 4, 2014 at 12:27 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2014 | 12:54 PM
  #7  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi,
Often the original exterior color can be found UNDER the 'black-out' in the wiper well.
Few re-paint cars get taken that far apart.
Regards,
Alan

Reply
Old Dec 5, 2014 | 06:25 AM
  #8  
chevyfiftynine's Avatar
chevyfiftynine
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: York UK
Default looking for original colour

Thanks to all who replied - the man preparing the bodywork has been taking a photographic record, and he has shown me the paint rings where the number of coats can be seen, right down to the base material, but no sign of maroon. Even under the wiper well and sills still no tell-tale trace. I'll go round on Monday and have a further inspection. Now I see that this is a problem because the code doesn't match the colour, so this might affect the car's value. I couldn't have it sprayed maroon when I don't really like the colour. Regards, Barry.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 5, 2014 | 10:28 AM
  #9  
Corey_68's Avatar
Corey_68
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Default

Originally Posted by joewill
i don't know the difference between rally red ( 68) and monza red (69) .. most people don't. eyeballing an image on the internet is a crap shoot due to camera exposure and lighting. I bet your red is really 'corvette resale red'.
If the two colors are parked side by side you can definitely tell the difference as monza has more orange in the mix. It's pretty obvious in direct sunlight.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2014 | 11:22 AM
  #10  
Hammerhead Fred's Avatar
Hammerhead Fred
Melting Slicks
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
Default

Originally Posted by Corey_68
If the two colors are parked side by side you can definitely tell the difference as monza has more orange in the mix. It's pretty obvious in direct sunlight.
Monza red has a telling orange cast to it - extremely obvious when parked next to anything red. Parked next to a red car you'll swear it's orange.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 06:24 AM
  #11  
chevyfiftynine's Avatar
chevyfiftynine
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: York UK
Default burgundy

Hi Guys, this is what burgundy looks like - almost a deep maroon/brown
- not a trace of it anywhere on the car. Here's Rally Red - http://www.remarkablecars.com/main/c...olet-00013.jpg - my car looks like this, but has '69 doors, and I agree Monza looks much more orange -
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sal...-Ray/132819#!/

Thanks for all your help, Barry.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 11:32 AM
  #12  
Hammerhead Fred's Avatar
Hammerhead Fred
Melting Slicks
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
Default

Originally Posted by chevyfiftynine
Hi Forum,
I'm getting my '69 350 re-sprayed at the moment, but there's a question about the correct paint colour. The plate says 988 which would make it burgundy, but the car is red. I thought it had been re-sprayed red, as bodywork has been done to it in the past, but now the fibreglass has been rubbed down there's no sign of burgundy underneath. That makes me think that it is actually Rally Red, which it looks like on the internet, but that colour was used in '68, not '69, and the code would be 974. Before I order the paint I want to make sure it's correct. Is it possible that it was painted Rally Red in the factory, although the wrong year and given the wrong plate?
Thanks, Barry.
Personally, I'd paint it whatever colour you like best.
You can never go wrong with that decision because no matter what anyone says or whatever happens to the hobby you'll always love your car - even when it's not running. If you're looking for something period correct from '69 the Monza Red is amazing. Burgundy always reminds me of rain...you likely get enough of that so pick something fun.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2014 | 09:34 AM
  #13  
chevyfiftynine's Avatar
chevyfiftynine
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: York UK
Default colour you like

My thoughts exactly Hammerhead - you can't spend five grand getting it painted a colour you don't like! Who knows - maybe someone stuck on the wrong paint tag some time in the past 45 years. And you're right - if you live in Scotland, you certainly see a lot of rain!
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2014 | 10:30 AM
  #14  
63mako's Avatar
63mako
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Default

My 72 was Mille Miglia Red. The trim tag and tank sticker said Steel Cities Gray. It had never been apart, Then the blue quality tag peeled a little on the corner, it was red underneath. Red under carpet and never found a sign of the Grey anywhere. Got it judged and was knocked down for incorrect color. Only other lost points were for the Carpet heel pad having the incorrect number of lines across it and not painting the VC bolts other than that 100%. I knew it was original color and knew it hadn't been changed but the judges said I needed proof and the color under the blue sticker was not good enough. Cost me a gold and likely about $5000 on resale. I firmly believe it was a color change on the line but proving it 100% is impossible 40 years later.

Last edited by 63mako; Dec 8, 2014 at 10:34 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2014 | 06:40 AM
  #15  
chevyfiftynine's Avatar
chevyfiftynine
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: York UK
Default wrong tag possible?

What an incredible story, Mako but not a very happy one! It must be possible that the wrong colour tag is fixed to the driver door on the assembly line. I can't imagine any owner would deliberately attach the wrong tag. If that's the case and you're sure the car was never a different colour, it would seem reasonable to be able to correct the mistake by putting on the correct paint code. I haven't got the car to look at just now, but it's only a thin strip of metal riveted to the door. Is it possible to buy these tags with what you think is the correct code? It does seem unfair to be penalised all because of the wrong number on the tag. In my case the likelihood of the wrong tag is much greater than every single trace of burgundy having been completely removed. If it costs a gold medal and five grand, it's worth trying to resolve the problem!
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2014 | 08:55 AM
  #16  
joewill's Avatar
joewill
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
Default

there's more to it than replacing the tag. the date on the trimtag build date needs to line up with the car's birthday. you won't find a used trimtag with the correct date and the color you want out there. and one can usually tell by the tag and even the rivets that the trim tag is not original if you decided to buy you one from the aftermarket..

You Still need to look everywhere for the original color somewhere on the body.

with today's modern paint, if you are wanting judging points after your paint job then you better make it look like factory laquer and not polyurethane base coat clear coat if you still want your points. Some painters can do it, but if you are chasing judging points, its gonna cost you... it is not just the color that gets you the points. don't forget the overspray at the key places.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Is it definitely Rally Red?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:41 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE