I am in the process of "restoring" a 76 Stingray that rolled off the assembly line on my 16th birthday in 1976. It is mostly untampered with, the main problems are paint color and interior color which were changed to non-76 colors. Paint and interior work are planned. I want to make this car just the way it came off the line in St. Louis with one exception: color. The car was originally Mahogany metallic. I probably would not have ordered that color had I been given the opportunity. If I changed to another color that was available for Corvettes in 76 would this be the ultimate blasphemy? Would I be excommunicated from NCRS? I have no intention of changing trim plates, or counterfeiting, or otherwise deceiving, I just prefer a different color. Otherwise, I want the car to be "right" but have no intention of entering in competition. What are your thoughts? P.S. Please, no readings from Webster's on the definition of the word "restoration" I would never consider doing this to an all orginal vehicle. Your opinions are much appreciated!
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Re: paint color changes/opinions
Always remember that this is your car. The NCRS is not going to allow you to be a member because your Corvette is painted a color that you want your Corvette to be. Corvette owners have been painting Corvettes other than the factory roll out colors for just about 50 years. You can still have your car judged even if it is the wrong color, attend the events, and just enjoy your Corvette. -
Re: paint color changes/opinions
Current Flight score sheets split the car's exterior paint into two categories (Body Color and Body Paint) awarding 170 points (4500 total possible) to the two. If you deviate from what the trim tag documents the car to be, the penalty is simply the loss of these points (170/4500 = 3.7%). If you use the original color, but deviate from the original paint material or its application, then you retain 85 points (Body Color) but lose a percentage (perhaps all) of the 85 points associated with Body Paint (85/4500 = 1.8%).
There is no lightning bolt to fall out of the sky and strike you dead for alteration(s) at NCRS! There's simply a defined set of scoring penalties that apply. You can effectively pursue virtually all of the club's awards/recognitions (Flight, Founders, Sportsman, Etc.) with such a car, but it WOULD be difficult to achieve the Mark of Excellence Award (requires 97% or better) with a color change unless EVERYTHING else on the car was perfect....
So, it's your personal decision. Remember, paint and body work are labor intensive areas (read that = expensive) that will only drift upward in cost. If you care about resale, consider the effect of making this change on the car to the market segment who might want a factory concours correct Corvette (that's NOT everyone's cup of tea!).
Last, the first time I've seen this/that exterior color, I drew a first impression. I gotta tell you that some colors I originally thought were BAD, turned out to REALLY grow on me over time (not the run of the mill 'red Corvette')....Comment
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Re: paint color changes/opinions
Mike, how would anyone know that your car wasn't the original color unless they checked the trim tag?
Probably the only time anyone will look at your trim tag is when you are having the car judged or if you sell the car. Otherwise, the only other way might be if you paint the car a color that clearly wasn't recommended with the interior color. In that case, those that know Corvettes will be able to figure it out without the trim tag.
One issue you probably have not considered is when you later sell the car. Some segment of your market (even those outside of NCRS) WILL be familiar with trim tags, paint codes, etc. and that group will either not consider your car, or they will make an offer which reflects reduced value, perhaps by as much as the cost for repainting back to the original color. On a 76, the cost of a professional paint job will be a substantial percentage of the car's value.
Other than on the judging field, NCRS doesn't care. As Jim said, you can even have it judged, but the hit you will take for non-original paint will be substantial. I am not sure I could handle seeing my otherwise very nice car draw a second flight when it probably would have top flighted with the original color.
I am definitely NOT trying to talk you out of changing the color, but you need to seriously consider all the facts. Getting a paint job is like picking a wife...better be sure you get the right one, cuz' the mistake is hard to live with and very expensive to change.Comment
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Re: paint color changes/opinions
Mike, not downing your car by any means, but 76 models are not yet real "collectable" and may not be for a long time to come. That doesn't mean it's not a great car and that you shouldn't enjoy it to the fullest. It just means that the potential purchasers of your car down the road are less apt to be anal about utter originality. If it were mine, and I wasn't interested in NCRS style judging, I'd paint any color I wanted and then drive it like I stole it. One of these days I'm gonna buy a C3 that I can customize (crate engine) a bit without feeling guilty.Comment
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Re: paint color changes/opinions
I going to agree with Ed... it's simply not a huge financial risk to deviate in color in this case. Plus, while it is true that some informed buyers might appropriately try to talk the selling price down by the amount needed to repaint the car, I would guess in this instance you would have several more buyers interested in a car not painted Root Beer. That's not meant to offend people who own or like the color, but it's probably true that it would be a harder color to sell than many others.
Do what makes you happy (just don't mess with the other stuff!)
Steve GComment
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Re: paint color changes/opinions
Mike, don't forget the other awards NCRS bestows: Sportsman and Founders. These two do not depend on total originality. Personally, I like a color that is not red, as anyone who has seen my Elkhart Green 1972 knows.Comment
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Re: paint color changes/opinions
Mike, all previous points are valid. Reiterating things to keep in mind: 1) Your intended purpose for the car, the present and potential future collectibility (value) of the car, the car's present/future interior color, your ability to recover the cost of repainting at some point in the future (through appreciation or sale of the car), the potential increase/decrease in value of the car upon resale, and your preferences, etc. I agree with one of the previous comments, regardless of the rest...some colors just seem to grow on you over time. My '72 was repainted (although in base/clear...a 85 pt. deduction...ouch!) in it's original color, Pewter Silver. It takes on a greenish tint in the shade, and I did not think I would like it at first. I bought the car based more on it's condition and originality. Low and behold, I like the color now. Matter of fact, everyone seems to like it. It's not your typical "red Corvette" (please...red Corvette owners, do not send me nasty emails). Good luck in whatever you decide.
Kevin #39927Comment
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