Changing original paint color - Bad idea?

[Mikey Likes It]

Question for the group...

Assuming all things equal, how much would it affect the "value" of a Z if one was to change the paint color from the original brown to a different color such as red, silver orange?

In other words, let's say there were 2 240Z's side by side and both were totally restored. One was the original brown color and the other was previously brown but was professionally repainted red, silver or orange, how much more would one expect the brown one to sell for? Does it matter?

Mike

[Ed]

I think it would probably matter to the "purists". Those who choose to keep everything original. If it is an original, numbers matching, no modifications 240 of early vin then it would probably make the purists loose sleep. But if it's a later vin and the vehicle already has other modifications I would think that a new professionally (emphasis on the professionally) done paint job (even a different color) would be worth more than the original 30 year old paint.

$.02

[madkaw]

A car that's not brown " priceless"

[240znz]

I depends on the buyer. But I would expect the re-sprayed one to be a little less but not hugely. In some cases you can increase the value. I'm not too sure how many people are fond of the shite brown colour. If you were to paint it an different Datsun colour that was available in the zed period then you could enhance your chances.

I for one couldn't care less. I'm not a purist, so the colour isn't an issue. What I am more concerned about is the reason why is was painted a different colour and also what is it possibly hiding.

[Ron Carter]

If the car is very original, which it most likely is not. Then it would be a big deal to keep the stock color. If the car has been modified and you have changed other items or modified other items then it is not a big deal.

BUT, there are professional paint jobs and then there are complete restorations. Most Z's I have seen have been painted on the outside but the engine compartment and door jams have not been painted which looks like crap to me. Are you going to strip the whole car down to bare metal and start from scratch or just paint it?

[halz]

I am a purist - I think original is best.

There I've got that out of the way.... If your car has the original engine, gearbox, interior and badgework then keeping the original colour will help you retain your car's value far better than changing it. Remember that a 'new' brown paint job will look a lot better than the the 'old 'brown paint you currently have.

If you do plan on changing the colour - you can minimise the loss in value by changing it to an original 240z period colour (ie, a colour you could have bought when the car was new). Note: changing the colour will also be more expensive if you do it properly. You will need to remove the glass, doors, interior and engine to change the colour completely...otherwise you will end up with glimpses of the former colour peeping through each time you open the bonnet, lift the carpets or open the doors. Nothing reduces a car to trash-value faster than a dodgy multi-colour look.

So...retaining the original colour should be less expensive and lose you less $...(but its your car - you are entitled to enjoy it in any way you wish!))

[Bambikiller240]

Question for the group...

Assuming all things equal, how much would it affect the "value" of a Z if one was to change the paint color from the original brown to a different color such as red, silver orange?

In other words, let's say there were 2 240Z's side by side and both were totally restored. One was the original brown color and the other was previously brown but was professionally repainted red, silver or orange, how much more would one expect the brown one to sell for? Does it matter?

Mike

When you use the word "RESTORED" it means that the car is as it was when it left the factory. If you change the color it is NOT RESTORED. Thus it makes a huge difference to the originality of the car.

Even on a modified Z car, there is nothing uglier than opening the hood, or looking into a door jam, or lifting the carpets and seeing a different color from the exterior body panels. If you decide to paint the car, do it right and not half-assed.

[Ron Carter]

Quite frankly there are lots of "restorations" that are not the factory color...Although it would imply that a resotration would be the original color.

But if it is done right a color change can be done without dramatically effecting value. Taking the car down to bare metal etc.

I will agree there is nothing worse than door jams or underhood color changes or worse yet Zolatone coverup of the underhood area....

[Bambikiller240]

In the strictest sense of the word, they would not restorations, they would be modifications. Now on a early Zcar, someone MAY be able to hide the deception (since the color info is not coded into the VIN) if the work was done carefully enough, but it would still be what it is. The wrong color for a restoration of that specific car.

I'm done.

[dkd021]

When you use the word "RESTORED" it means that the car is as it was when it left the factory. If you change the color it is NOT RESTORED. Thus it makes a huge difference to the originality of the car.

Even on a modified Z car, there is nothing uglier than opening the hood, or looking into a door jam, or lifting the carpets and seeing a different color from the exterior body panels. If you decide to paint the car, do it right and not half-assed.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no indication on the VIN that says exactly what color it was when it left the factory. Therefore, if he decided to do a true "restoration", he would only have to change the color of the car from dookey brown to another original 240Z color, say Silver 901.

This would include painting every square inch of the car, inside and out, to the Silver 901. It is understood that someone is not willing to go to the expense and trouble of doing this, but if done (at about 35k later) and everything else is replaced back to the original specs, the new color would not be an issue.

[Gav240z]

Yeah i'll drink to that, my car was originally silver not the red it is now. I wouldn't mind having the original red was it 110? Or the original silver on my Z however I'm not a purist in that regard.

Sure it's all very romantic but the paint technology back then was garbage compared to now IMHO.

So many people are worried about these things affecting the value of there Z but alot of the time a tastefull modified Z will sell for more than an original example. Same thing goes for old mustangs etc..

[280z]

i agree with carl. if your gonna re-paint your car a different color, please please please strip that car down like you were gonna give it a cavity search. repaint under carpet, hood, door, just everything.