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Topic: Original Paint Color

in Forum: C3 Body


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Original Paint Color (2/12)
 7/9/10 11:21am
Gunslinger
Former Member

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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

Look on the trim tag riveted to the door post by the drivers door hinges.  It should have codes as to what the factory paint and interior trim was.  

code 10...Classic White
code 14...Silver Mist
code 17...Corvette Gray
code 22...Corvette Medium Blue
code 48...Dark Green
code 56...Bright Yellow
code 68...Dark Brown
code 74...Medium Red
code 76...Mille Miglia Red
code 80...Corvette Orange
Original Paint Color (3/12)
 7/9/10 11:25am
rraider1
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Woodland, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion


Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 1165

the paint trim tag should be on the body pillar when the driver door is opened forward area near upper door hinge then with the number we can decode the color codes
Original Paint Color (4/12)
 7/9/10 1:03pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Check out the Corvette Build Date/Trim Tag info for an idea of what to look for.

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Joel Adams
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Original Paint Color (5/12)
 7/9/10 5:24pm
BillinNashville
Former Member

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Vette(s):
1974 coupe. 350 CID with Turbo 400 trans. Decal says 8.5:1 compression. Needs paint and AC replaced but don't plan on full restoration. Car runs strong. No big problems so far. 67,000 miles on Odometer, probably rolled over


Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65

Thank you

I found the plate but didn't realize what the numbers meant. It looks like the car was built on my Daughters Birthday.
The color code is 14L. That makes it silver mist but I don't know what the L stands for.
I had a Silver 1969 Camaro. Not sure I'd like the Corvette in that color.
Trim is 404. Black Leather
BillinNashville2010-07-09 14:26:33

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It has been over a year since I started. I had to quit the project so the car just sat in the garage. I was able to get started again in May 2012. As of July 27 2012 I have done the fiberglass repairs and applied Slick Sand High Build Primer.




https://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
Original Paint Color (6/12)
 7/9/10 7:29pm
dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!


Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

The body looks to be in great shape!!
Dan


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Original Paint Color (7/12)
 7/9/10 9:36pm
BillinNashville
Former Member

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Vette(s):
1974 coupe. 350 CID with Turbo 400 trans. Decal says 8.5:1 compression. Needs paint and AC replaced but don't plan on full restoration. Car runs strong. No big problems so far. 67,000 miles on Odometer, probably rolled over


Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65

It seems to be Dan. I have not found any big repaired areas yet. I have yet to find any evidence of the original Silver Mist Color but it seems to have been painted more than once and I don't understand that. As I remove the paint it seems to have two different kinds of paint. One section has clear coat and another doesn't. I wouldn't be stripping it but the paint is peeling in several  places and has a lot of cracks in it. There seems to be two layers of primer. the layer under the white is Brown and smooth, almost like paint. One guy said it was a spray lacquer primer. below that is a grey primer but the grey doesn't seem to be everywhere.
The Fiberglass seems fine under the paint though.
The rear bumper has a little damage in the lower left corner. My Granddaughters boyfriend backed into it but I want to put a 1974 trueflex rear bumper on anyway.
The undercarriage is pretty clean as well. No heavy rust. The frame doesn't seem to be rusty. The spare tire cover has no rust either. I haven't pulled the carpet back yet so I don't know what the floor pans look like.

Looking at the picture of yours in white I might rethink the color choice. It looks pretty good to me.
BillinNashville2010-07-09 18:38:31

______________
It has been over a year since I started. I had to quit the project so the car just sat in the garage. I was able to get started again in May 2012. As of July 27 2012 I have done the fiberglass repairs and applied Slick Sand High Build Primer.




https://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
Original Paint Color (8/12)
 7/9/10 11:09pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

They started using the "L" in '74, because they were using two-tone paint on other GM cars. The "L" was meant for "Lower", and a "U" was for "Upper". The '78 Pacers(black "upper"/silver "lower"), and all of the two-toned Bowling Green built Corvettes have both the "L" code and the "U" code paints.
Some have theorized that the "L" in the paint code was for lacquer paint, but that's just not true. 



btw...the Silver Mist is a really nice metallic color. Check out Marshall's(manget1) '74 convertible.
Adams' Apple2010-07-09 20:12:19

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Original Paint Color (9/12)
 7/10/10 11:38am
BillinNashville
Former Member

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Vette(s):
1974 coupe. 350 CID with Turbo 400 trans. Decal says 8.5:1 compression. Needs paint and AC replaced but don't plan on full restoration. Car runs strong. No big problems so far. 67,000 miles on Odometer, probably rolled over


Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65

I do like the Metalic Silver mist but that Med Red Metalic on your 1974 is really a great color. It would go well with the Black interior.
I have time yet. Lots of prep work before I get to paint and I'm doing this on a very limited budget.


______________
It has been over a year since I started. I had to quit the project so the car just sat in the garage. I was able to get started again in May 2012. As of July 27 2012 I have done the fiberglass repairs and applied Slick Sand High Build Primer.




https://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
Original Paint Color (10/12)
 7/10/10 12:27pm
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible


Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple] btw...the Silver Mist is a really nice metallic color. Check out Marshall's(manget1) '74 convertible.
[/QUOTE]
 
Well thanks brother Joel!  See below for some pix of the Silver Mist...


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Original Paint Color (11/12)
 7/10/10 12:38pm
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Silver in the newer base coat/clear coat systems looks amazing!!
Original Paint Color (12/12)
 7/14/10 2:51pm
BillinNashville
Former Member

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Vette(s):
1974 coupe. 350 CID with Turbo 400 trans. Decal says 8.5:1 compression. Needs paint and AC replaced but don't plan on full restoration. Car runs strong. No big problems so far. 67,000 miles on Odometer, probably rolled over


Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65

Luke
I agree. The color is great. But I have had three Silver cars and a silver Van and my current truck has a Silver lower. I think it time I broke the pattern.LOL


______________
It has been over a year since I started. I had to quit the project so the car just sat in the garage. I was able to get started again in May 2012. As of July 27 2012 I have done the fiberglass repairs and applied Slick Sand High Build Primer.




https://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
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