New Corvette color looks like old

[Michael J.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

Thanks for all the opinions and info. This is similar to the responses I saw on the C6 Corvette Forum. I guess it is as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.....

[Joseph C.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

Interesting!! My 66 coupe is Trophy Blue and supposedly retains the factory paint. The paint is heavily crazed but still in decent shape given its age (wife says the same about me). Carlisle Blue doesn't appear to come very close to Trophy, but then it is tough to judge from photo's. Incidentally, is the paint on the 66 original?? If not, what is it?

[John H.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

Harlan Charles really needs a haircut...

[Gary B.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

Harlan Charles really needs a haircut...

Now that's the one thing in this thread that I bet we can all agree on!

Gary

[Eugene D.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

Funny you should inquire about the 1966 Trophy Blue color because I own one. Trophy Blue was not a popular color for 1966, as a matter of reality, it was the second most unpopular color next to #1 Tuxedo Black. In the bright sunlight Trophy Blue appears light blue, in some shade it appears almost silver blue and when next to green foliage it almost appears to be pale green taking on the green tincture of the plants. I know I'm describing a chameleon but believe me the color does change according to the environment. Now for the good point; if you ever been to a Corvette show or gathering you seldom see an original 1966 Tuxedo Black, Trophy Blue or Ermine White Corvette. The most popular colors were: Nassau Blue, Milano Maroon, Rally Red and Mossport Green.....All beautiful Colors for the 1966 Sting Ray lineup!!!

[Michael J.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

Interesting!! My 66 coupe is Trophy Blue and supposedly retains the factory paint. The paint is heavily crazed but still in decent shape given its age (wife says the same about me). Carlisle Blue doesn't appear to come very close to Trophy, but then it is tough to judge from photo's. Incidentally, is the paint on the 66 original?? If not, what is it?

According to NCRS judges, yes, that is the original color . I do agree with Terry, you would have to have both colors side by side in person, and even then though the tint may be close, the finish, depth, gloss, etc. will be quite different between antique technology lacquer and modern metallics BC/CC, etc. And I am glad Gene chimed in about the way Trophy Blue changes in different lighting conditions, that is why pics are not a good judge of similarity. I am also glad to hear Gene's take on the popularity of Trophy Blue vis-a-vis the other colors that year. These type colors are not ever very popular since they are subtle.

I also will not judge colors as good or bad, right or wrong based on what other cars besides the Corvette may be painted the same. I suspect many mundane Chevy IIs, Camaros, Biscaynes, pickups, etc. were painted my fav '67 color Rally Red. I also know there are many mundane GM vehicles painted white, black, red, silver, yellow, and even Inferno Orange today. And Jetstream Blue? The lowly Camaro 6 banger has that color too.

[Terry M.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

Yes Gene there were Corvette colors that change depending on conditions (along with Trophy Blue, Mosport Green comes to mind). That situation is exacerbated now days with tinted clear coat on some colors.

I failed to mention in my earlier post that my 1967 Chevelle is Deepwater Blue -- a close cousin to Corvette color: Daytona Blue (1963). Both those colors change depending on the amount of sunlight as the metallic is highlighted or shaded.

Interesting you mention Nassau Blue. That is the forerunner of LeMans Blue (1969), Mulsanne Blue (1970-71), and to skip over a whole bunch of years because I don't know the names of the all the colors Jetstream Blue (2008-2011). Each of these colors has a slightly different formula until one gets to Jetstream which is a whole other technology.

[Joseph C.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

I don't recall where I came up with this info, but I seem to remember that 863 cars were Trophy Blue. Don't take that number to the bank, but it's probably pretty close. So, that would be about 3% of all 66's. Not a big favorite in 66, I'd say.

[Paul J.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

Looking carefully at the photographs, the colors don't look that close. I like the blue, both of them, but I see what you mean about the C6 body. There are other colors I like better on a C6.

[Darrell S.]

Re: New Corvette color looks like old

The new carlise blue looks silver. It will have to grow on me for a while. I would like to see a conv. with a blue top. They did get it right with the super sonic blue. I have a 2011 GS in that color and in bright sun it looks more gray at night it looks dark blue. It also has a very good gloss.