1980 yellow vs 1979 yellow

[Steve G.]

OK, I need some input. A friend and I were having a discussion about the 1980 yellow body paint used on the Corvette, vs the yellow in 1979. I understand that both are code 52. I insist the yellow on the '80 is different, more "school bus-like" than the more lemon 1979. My buddy, who knows more about paint than I do, says they are the same, evidenced by the code.

I did look up paint chips that look a little different, and also paint codes from companies like PPG, etc, and they were different from 1979. Its not a BC/CC vs lacquer thing, as other paint codes from '79 and '80 match for colors like black, white and silver.

Any input on this?

[Steve G.]

Re: 1980 yellow vs 1979 yellow

No help out there?

[George C.]

Re: 1980 yellow vs 1979 yellow

Steve, you are correct. 80 yellow was different from the 1979 model year Corvette yellow. Your friend does not know Corvettes. Or should I say he doesn't know paint on 79 & 80 Corvettes. Save the Wave.>George

[Michael M.]

Re: 1980 yellow vs 1979 yellow

I was just skippin' through some old threads and encountered this thread...if the issue is still on your mind, I can assure you that most definitely the '79 and '80 corvettes were a different shade of yellow. I own a '79 in yellow and it is a factory paint job and it is definitely lighter than '80 yellow! '79 yellow is like old '60's sunfire yellow. '80 yellow is more like 'egg yolk' yellow and was a darker more orangey shade of yellow. You are correct...'79 is lighter than '80. Color codes do not mean they are exactly the same color.

[Michael D.]

Re: 1980 yellow vs 1979 yellow

Different codes are listed. http://www.corvettepaintcodes.com/