Deciding on a color...

[SportBikeMike]

Well, I'm getting ready to have my 240Z painted. I like the current grey OK but there are scratches, some surface rust, and damage to the hood that need to be repaired. This is going to require quite a bit of paint anyway, so I figured I'd be better off getting the whole car painted....that way it would be consistent.

Anyway, I've narrowed it down to three colors:

1) Pale yellow....this was the original color, I can see indications of it in the interior and engine bay. This was my first choice, but seems to be a love-it-or hate-it color...I've got mixed opinions...

2) Red...of course the disadvantage of this is there are so many red sports cars around...and they seem to attract the wrong kind of attention...

3) Dark blue....I saw a Z on Ebay this color....very cool and classy...

Any advice or opinions out there would be appreciated...this is not gonna be cheap so I wanna make the right choice. Also, are there any advantages to having a car painted back the original color?

[MikeW]

Also, are there any advantages to having a car painted back the original color?

An advantage of keeping the color original is that often cheaper if you can get away without having to re-spray door jambs, under the hood, and other hidden places that may still have good paint. That assumes of course that those areas weren't painted a non-original color previously. Another advantage of the original color is that people consider it more valuable and certainly more authentic for show cars. On on the other hand if you're that worried about winning a trophy then you'll want to use the cheap original single stage acrylic paint.

A disadvantage of the original color would be if you don't like it. When I bought my car in 1985 it had already be re-painted twice and I had no idea at the time that it was originally #113 green, a color that I don't particularly care for. When I refreshed my car a few years ago I decided to go with a color that I really like instead of restoring it back to the original color. It's not even one of the original Nissan colors and it is a high-quality modern PPG base coat/clear coat.

I don't know just how much having the original color would affect a sale price but I certainly wouldn't want to spend $5000 on a color I didn't like only because I was afraid that if I ever sold the car I'd lose $1000 for not staying original. I don't ever intend on selling my car anyway so it doesn't matter.

[AZhitman]

Mike, I'd LOVE to see more pics of your car - it appears to be the EXACT color I'm looking at for my 72.

Call me crazy, but I saw a Honda Odyssey in this ice-blue metallic color and said, "THAT is the color I want."

[SportBikeMike]

Hey Hitman! here are some pics of my car as it is now:

[rtaylor]

Mike, I am biased, but my choice is number 1, paint it yellow.

[Zak's Z]

If you like blue, check out this Z by fellow member KATS. Its a Nissan Bayside Blue (skyline) and its the blue I'd pick if I was going non-stock. As it stands, Im going the original orange or the 110 red.

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=11452&cat=500&ppuser=3193

Another great blue on a Z is this blue thats on DatsunZsRule's car. I love this blue also, it looks great on his Z.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/private.php?do=showpm&pmid=49203

Zak

[Arne]

Well, I've got a red one, and a pale yellow one. Both are nice colors. Red can be striking when done well. Many modern yellows can be pretty vibrant as well, but I typically prefer the original pale yellow of the '70 & '71 cars (#919). As for blue, blue cars can be beautiful, but in my opinion a non-stock color doesn't look quite right on a vintage car that is otherwise stock appearing. Got a body kit? Then dark blue looks great. Got stock chrome bumpers and emblems? The car may still be attractive in that case, but to me an obviously modern color on an older car can sometimes detract from the overall impact of the car. Kind of sends a mixed message. Some colors are worse that way than others. Still, some modern colors look really good on a 240Z - take the metallic burgundy of the car in nwcubsman's avatar. I've seen that car in person, and it looks really good. See it here.

In your position, of the three, I'd go with the yellow, simply because it is a less common color, yet so typical of the early 240Z.

Of course, these are just my personal opinions. It's your car.

[DatsunZsRule]

Well Thank you Zak Blue is one of my favorites on a classic Z.

I couldn't get your link to work Zak? I'll put a couple photos of my Z up incase

My beautiful Z

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL749/2758837/9374245/150699022.jpg

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL749/2758837/7760207/192162245.jpg

[AZhitman]

Hey Hitman! here are some pics of my car as it is now:

Looks awesome in black...

MikeW, any chance I could see some more pics of yours? That's the color I think I'm going with.

I'm not a big fan of Bayside Blue, or any of the real vibrant metallics for an older car. I like a more muted color, especially since the early metallic paints were a bit toned-down.

I'm thinking I'll go with a light icy blue metallic, with black interior and the optional "Datsun" side stripes in black.... With some Panasports or Wats.

[SportBikeMike]

Some beautiful Zs indeed!

Man, this is one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make...drivin me nuts. Anyway, my car's original color was actually 112 yellow instead of the early 70s 919....its almost a golfball green color, and sometimes refered to as "lime". I actually prefer the 919 yellow...but that wasn't the original color.

Arne, I see your point and would like to maintain a more vintage look. I decided against the full bodykit and am just getting the Xenon front air dam and carbon fiber bumpers....otherwise maintaining the classic look. So I'm sure I'll go with an original datsun color as opposed to something more modern.

I plan on taking her in as soon as the air dam gets here- which should be any day now- so I need to make a decision here shortly....

[nwcubsman]

Well, I am also hating this decision making process. I have an original Silver car and am trying to come up with something before I drop inan L28. Non-stock colors are difficult to picture on the car. I absloutley love the 350Z blue, but it is getting overdone. Take these 2 cars in the Portland Roadster Show (Sorry Loren, I know yours isn't 350Z blue). Darker colors hide some of the beautiful lines of the car, and that is just an opinion and not worth more than anyone else's, and I am afraid of the result without seeing it done first.

The car Arne mentioned (Gail says thanks for the compliment) is great in the sun but can look blah! in the garage. Stock colors do make for an easier choice, but there is something to be said for being different. Now if I can only make a decision.

Best of luck!

[SportBikeMike]

Well just got an email stating that my air dam has been shipped....which means my Z will be goin to the bodyshop within a week. Finally. This is exciting!

That said, I still haven't decided on a color. Would I be banished from the Z community if I painted my '73 a non-'73 color- 919 yellow? I prefer this slightly over the 112......or I might go red...who knows....we'll see...