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[bsz]

My brother bought this GT-6 brand new in 1973.  It was a big deal for me, as I was about 12 years old, so I distinctly remember some things, and one is the color.  I remember that he ordered it in Mimosa, color code 64.  When it arrived it was actually a much brighter yellow color.  Now, I am restoring the car, and need to paint it.  Should I paint it the color on the VIN plate?  Code 64?  Will it matter to the value of the car?  Should I paint it the color that it actually is, and does anyone know what that color actually is (looks like a bright yellow, darker/brighter than Primrose?  Though the value of these vehicles has not skyrocketed, would this factory paint mix-up be more valuable?

Or should I paint it what I think will look best??

Opinions please?

.....and, can anyone recommend an on-line paint source?

[slimsgt]

Hi
The original color will help the GT-6 retain its value, since there are not that many left. As for a factory mix-up, who knows, unless you have documentation to the fact. Here are a couple of links to check colors out. Good luck with the restoration and have fun!

http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphcolors/index.html
http://www.classiccarhub.co.uk/tech/triumph-paint-colours.html

Mark Pelham
VTR TR-6 Vehicle Consultant

[herald948]

I'll pretty much agree with Mark; an original color is probably best for retaining value, but a thorough and well-done complete color change probably won't "hurt" much (although mid-1970s Saab and Volvo colors might not win you many fans  ).

There are some "1979" DuPont paint charts on the VTR site http://www.vtr.org/maintain/paint-charts/index.shtml, although accurate color reproduction is difficult via the Internet and individual monitor settings. And despite that year, the charts include the earlier 1970s Triumph colors.

[bsz]

Do my eyes fail me?  I looked at Slimsgt's http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphcolors/index.html link which shows a photo of a car in every color.  There I find a photo of a Spitfire in #64 Mimosa, looking very much like the color on my GT-6.  If I look at any of the color chart links including Herald948's, and this one:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/

Which seems to be very complete, the chip for #64 Mimosa appears to be much darker / mustard colored.  Maybe I am wrong.  In any case, it looks like I am off to the local paint supplier for a true match.

Now, regarding value, I am thinking of painting the car the same basic color (see http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphcolors/index.html ) with just a hint of pearl on the exterior only so that the interior exposures would still match and not look like a color change.  From what I have seen, these  cars just aren't going up in value, though there are few examples, but is it a sleeper?  Has less than 60K on the clock!

...and thanks for the info and opinions!

[herald948]

I agree that the photo of the Mimosa Spitfire on Paul Tegler's site looks more like the color than does the DuPont color chip in particular; again, that's as much as anything due to scanning processes and monitor settings. Meanwhile, your plan sounds very reasonable...and lots cheaper than, say, changing to GTO Judge Orange.

[bsz]

"and lots cheaper than, say, changing to GTO Judge Orange."

Nonsense!  How expensive can a couple rattle-cans from the hardware store be?  Ok, maybe a roll of masking tape for that "PRO" look. 

[wily pathan]

be aware that modern paint will have more inherent "presence" than the original formula. a good painter will ask you if you want the car to look "New as in TODAY" or "New from whenever it was sold". i'm not knocking new paint by any means; it doesn't chalk up, it doesn't fade, it resists chipping better. it can LOOK a lot different than factory paint.
if i was painting a daily driver i would get stoneguard under the entire car.