Original paint color question

[Steve B.]

I have been to many shows over the years and have seen several verified original paint 60s era Covettes. Is it possible that there were small variations in color? Maybe its my imagination but I have seen different shades of maroon and blue and even small differences on solid colors too. Could it just be due to age, care etc, or are my eyes playing tricks on me? Thanks in advance.

[Jack H.]

Re: Original paint color question

I'm pretty sure there WERE lot to lot variances in the hue and composition of the paint used at the factory! Plus, I'll bet there was more than one car sprayed with some residual (by accident) of another color previously used in the gun/line.

But, this is a subjective vs. objective area of judging. You're up against what those particular judges doing the exterior job think/feel on a specific day. What was 'typical' of factory production back then and what a given judges thinks he/she knows can be an area of 'discussion'....

[Sal C.]

Re: Original paint color question

For instance, the number of variations of War Bonnet Yellow equals the number of War Bonnet Yellow cars on a judging field at the same time.

[Roy B.]

Re: Original paint color question

A lot depends on the mix, air pressure , or usually the size flake used on non-solid colors. Line up 6 Corvettes of the same color and you'll see different tint most every time ,even on solid color Corvettes.

Were as GM used the same "batch" (color) on any one colored Corvette.

[Bill B.]

Re: Original paint color question

Yes, there can be several variations that contribute to color appearances. I like the idea many discrete Corvette restorers have done: They catalog pigment scans from many original (documented) inside door jams. This is probably the most correct way of achieving the closest match to original paint tones/hue etc. The paint recipe is then cataloged for future use, the scan is considered very accurate.

Bill


1961 Black/Silver/Red Int. 283/315 FI
power windows. Frame off 65% completed.
1989 White/hard top/Grey Int. daily driver 167,000 miles

"The problem with Liberalism is that eventually you run out of other people's money" - Margaret Thatcher

[John D.]

Re: Original paint color question

Sunfire yellow seems to be a color that varies alot. I remember one meet where all five cars looked different.....some were more of a flat yellow others seemed to have a greenish tint.

One of my favorite colors is marlboro maroon which sometimes seems lighter on repaints when compared to original cars painted over 40 years ago. I'm sure the colors varied batch to batch back in the day as well.