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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.
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
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.