Topic: Original Paint Color
in Forum: C3 Body
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Former Member
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Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65
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
Is there a way to know the original paint color on a 1974 Vette.
I am leaning towards original color when I paint but I might opt for something else if the original is white. I have a black interior. A maroon or blue might work.
I am leaning towards original color when I paint but I might opt for something else if the original is white. I have a black interior. A maroon or blue might work.
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.
http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
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Former Member
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
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
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
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
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"
Former Member
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Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65
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
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
BillinNashville 2010-07-09 14:26:33
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
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.
http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
Former Member
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
The body looks to be in great shape!!
Dan
Former Member
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Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65
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
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.
BillinNashville 2010-07-09 18:38:31
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.
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.
http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
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' Apple 2010-07-09 20:12:19
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.
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"
Former Member
Send PM
Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65
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
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.
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.
http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
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
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple] btw...the Silver Mist is a really nice metallic color. Check out Marshall's(manget1) '74 convertible.
[/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE]
Well thanks brother Joel! See below for some pix of the Silver Mist...
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
2014216132127r.jpg)
in Forum: C3 Body
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