1973 Vette paint color

[Ajay M.]

My '73 vette has the following info on the trim tag:

TRIM 418
PAINT 4001XA

Need help in decoding the paint color as I have searched everywhere. Also any info on what color '4001XA' would be on a build sheet ( i dont have the sheet). Tag seems original and have been unable to contact original owner. I have removed carpet, looked inside the door with glass down and still cannot figure out original color. Appreciate any help/pointers.

[Paul O.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

Ajay

All I can come up with is a 1973-1975 Chevy Luv truck color Clematis Blue. Here is a link to the site for the color.

http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcod...9&smodel=Chevy Truck&syear=1973&smanuf=GM&sname=Clematis Blue (Light

[Edward J.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

Ajay, I am not a trim tag expert but something looks funny with one of the rivits. Paul might be able comment.

Some times when you pick up the car on the lift,There is overspray under the rocker area between body and inside frame area.That area seems to keep the original paint unless your car had a body off resto. If your car has some original weatherstrips that were not removed during painting. might be able to peel one back alitttle to see the color. behind the windsheild trim may show the original color if you want to remove a piece. also that trim plate may have the original color behind it. if you take a very small screw driver flat blade and every so slightly lift the middle of tag and take a peak with a light.

[John H.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

My '73 vette has the following info on the trim tag:

TRIM 418
PAINT 4001XA

Need help in decoding the paint color as I have searched everywhere. Also any info on what color '4001XA' would be on a build sheet ( i dont have the sheet).

That looks like one of the COPO billing codes for "special paint" (primer or a GM color not used on Corvettes); it would also appear on the window sticker, tank sticker, and Car Shipper. We've seen the same 4001-series billing codes on '67-'69 Camaros with special paint.

[Ajay M.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

Thanks folks, I will look in the places you suggested.

[Paul O.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

Ed has picked up the unusual forward rivet which I did not even look at. The forward or front rivet has a not typical configuration it may be the photo but from what I see it looks to be a replacement. Good catch ED. There appears to be 2 paint colors on the tag white and red at the front so who knows how many times the car has been repainted.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

I have seen that rivet on occasion, but not very often. It is not a common hardware store rivet.

[Brian G.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

Could just be my eyes, but I think I see that shade of blue in the centers of those pockmarks in the paint.

[Ajay M.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

That looks like one of the COPO billing codes for "special paint" (primer or a GM color not used on Corvettes); it would also appear on the window sticker, tank sticker, and Car Shipper. We've seen the same 4001-series billing codes on '67-'69 Camaros with special paint.

Ok, thanks, but if this could have been a special order , shouldn't the
trim tag should say SPEC or XX?

[Charles P.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

I agree 100% that this was a special paint vehicle. I would gamble that this car is a T-Top as GM stated in the 1973 order book I have that "non-recommended solid exterior and interior trim combinations on the coupe model only may be submitted, provided the dealer initials the appropriate order form block as verification that the requested color is definitely desired".

[Ajay M.]

Re: 1973 Vette paint color

It is a convertible. I used a sea snake camera thru the fuel filler area and
was able to locate/see a 90% intact tank sticker. One if these days I will drop the
tank and post a pic. Thx for all the suggestions.