FX VETTE

I did extensive searches for a 50th Anniversary Edition Corvette before I eventually made my purchase. I thought I knew the 50th AE pretty well, but there was one car advertised as a 50th AE that appeared to have a red color that really popped. All (dozens) of the other 50th AE Corvettes I have ever seen have a maroon or wine colored appearance...except for that particular one, which I really liked.

I thought that they could have made the 50th Anniversary Red color pop on the car in question by using a combination of things - fantastic detail job, numerous bright lights in an all white room, better camera, etc.. Anyway, I ended up buying a another 50th AE and was really hoping that I could eventually bring out the fantastic red color that I saw on the AE in question, but I can't. I've tried several high dollar products and methods already, but can't come close to getting that POP of the alleged 50th AE Red that I saw.

Well, just so happens that the car in question is still for sale, months later with a $1,000 price drop. I copied a photo of the car in question and compared it to mine and several other 50th AE Red Corvettes, but they all look like mine except for this particular car.

So, I bring these questions to the members of the CF:

Is the car in question (top pic) a true 50th Anniversary Edition Red as advertised?

If so, what do I need to do to get my car's (bottom pic) color more like it?

I noticed that the seller listed the car in question as having - Anniversary Red “Xirallic Crystal” exterior paint. So does the “Xirallic Crystal” indicate the car was repainted with a slight twist to the 50th Anniversary Red color or is “Xirallic Crystal” actually in all of the 50th Anniversary red Corvettes?

JEH03Vette

The color of your car is the closest to all of the AE's that I have seen.

Verrückt ZR1

The car pictured first leans more toward the "Magnetic Red I&II" spectrum. FYI, all '03's had the 50th anniversary badging. Anniversary models only came with the Anniversary Red exterior and Shale interior. Any pics of his interior???

FX VETTE

Yeah, the car in question appears to be a true 50th AE in every respect (except the shade of red) and looks like it has some mods like air and exhaust as well. here is the link to it - http://www.texascorvette.net/2003-Ch...-79424/5888202

Jazzkat

An old Car and Driver review of the 50th described the only special edition red as "lustrous burgundy with xirallic aluminum oxide flakes under a special tinted clear coat."

That color does look different than any I have seen. Have you seen it in person?

FX VETTE

Didn't see it in person, just online (link is above). Spoke to the seller a few months back and they wouldn't come down on the price at that time, so I made a deal elsewhere as I felt their car was a little overpriced.

calguy

That car looks to be exactly the same as my 04 magnetic red.
Personally I like the mag red over the anniversary red.
The av red has too much blue in it for my taste.

Bob.

FX VETTE

CarFax and multiple pics are in the link posted above. The car doesn't look like it was repainted, or if it was it was done really well.

50 ANV C5

im going with brilliant lighting , here's my car , 2 different looking colors due to lighting,,

frsr06

:agree: Magnetic Red Metallic.

GCG

with Post #9

ALLEGRO

The natural sunlight is always best to pull out all the color(s) in the 50th AE.

Vetteman Jack

If that car in question is a true '03 model year car, it has to be the AE Red unless it was repainted. There was no Magnetic Red available in model year 2003.

65GGvert

It's a combination of lighting and the camera. My cell phone adds a deeper red to every picture I take outdoors. If you look at the car in person you'll find it's the same color on all of them

Here's an example. My 65 Milano Maroon 65. Same car, same day, same camera, shined white light on it for second picture.

hamadog

I have a AE and depending on the setting on my camera it will look different. I have pictures that look like both cars.

Sonny71

I think it is just the lighting---here are a couple pictures of mine--all taken the same day.

65GGvert

Here are two comparisons of my Anniv Edition Conv. First picture is same car, same day, same camera, different angle. Second picture is same car same day, same camera, with and without flash:









You'll never be able to match a car color to a picture due to all the variables, and no amount of polishing or "products" will change that.

Sydwayz

The company selling the car in question has a room designed with specific lighting to make cars look spectacular for their online marketing and selling. Look at the XLR they are advertising. It is "two different colors" in the pictures in their ad, based on the lighting and shadows. I know that color on the XLR, and it's very dark.

http://www.texascorvette.net/2004-Ca...-79424/5942162

To the OP: you are not missing out on anything. Take your AE down there and get a few pics in that room.
It is practically a larger version of this:




Many years ago, I had a friend who got back from Iraq (1st war; year 1991), walked into the Pontiac Dealer and bought new "black GTA" off of the showroom floor.
When they drove it outside, that's when he found out it was actually Medium Green Pearl.

FX VETTE

Thanks for the feedback everyone, much appreciated!

Vanover

I guess your going to have to ride around with spotlights shining on your car