Should I do a color change on my vintage car?

Posted on Oct 24, 2016 in Featured | 2 comments

My 1967 Buick Gran Sport in Verdi Green.

I recently wrote a blog on a Pink Mist 1968 chrome-bumper GTO (The Rarest GTO you may have never wanted ) that asked whether its rarity, color and chrome bumper would persuade or dissuade you from buying it. Some responders said that they liked the pink and would retain the color. Others said they didn’t and would just repaint it in another hue. A few more opined that they would never repaint it another color even if they didn’t like it because it’s the main reason the GTO is so rare. That discussion prompted a similar subject for this blog that’s probably more relevant to you and me.

Unless we ordered our vintage ride brand new, we have little choice over the color and options come purchase time decades later. I’m sure many of us have crossed paths with cars that we really wanted and were great deals. Though we may not have been overly enamored with their colors, we bought them anyway. Then we had to decide whether or not to change the color.

Truth be told, the “correct” answer for you depends on numerous variables. Here are a few considerations and opinions.

Why did I buy this car?

If it’s your rolling dream realized in a clean show car, a driver or a restoration project, if you appreciate everything about it except the color, if you plan to keep it a long time and it’s not super rare, then repaint it in your favorite hue and enjoy it.

However, if you bought it simply because it was a steal and you aren’t in love with it, yet you are hoping that you may like it better when it’s another color, stop right there. That thinking is akin to having a baby to save a marriage. It rarely works, it’s costly and it’s emotionally draining. Just sell the car and buy something you like better. If you bought your car as a collectible with the intention of making a profit on it when you sell it, don’t change the color, as it will most likely hurt its value if it’s somewhat rare.

What is the present condition of the body and paint?

A considerable amount of teardown is required to do a color change correctly. If the vehicle in question needs a restoration, the choice can be much easier, as you’ll have to tear it down and spend the money on bodywork and paint anyway.

On the flip side, don’t do a color-change on a car that has recently been concours restored, as you will be undoing all the work that you already paid for in the purchase price. See? The extremes are easy. It’s all those in between cars that make the decision so difficult for most of us.

Is my car rare and desirable, or is it fairly easy to replace?

Generally, you shouldn’t change the color on a rare and valuable car, especially if the hue is what makes it unique. If you have shown it, you probably already know that these high-profile collectibles almost always come under heavier scrutiny at events, as some people seize the opportunity to try and pick the car apart for various reasons (usually not the least of which is because they don’t have one themselves). Many potential buyers have seen this too if they attend shows, so it tends to drive the price down if the color was changed.

However, if it’s a car that is quite plentiful, repainting it may not hurt its value too much. Another choice for easier-to-find cars is to sell yours and seek out another in a hue that you like.

My GS in Blue Mist.

How long do I plan to keep it?

If you are just buying it to have a cool cruiser for the summer, or you are looking to sell it in just a couple of years, why bother going through the hassle, cost and potential value downgrade of a color change?

If, however, you’ve already purchased four cemetery plots in preparation for being interred in your car so you may drive it to the hereafter because you love it so much, then paint it any color that makes you content.

Can a color change increase my car’s value?

If your car isn’t a coveted collectable with a high value and if there are plenty of other choices in other colors and yours is a “tough sell” color, a more popular hue may allow it to sell quicker and at a higher price. It must, however, be a situation where it has to be repainted anyway, as changing the color on a car that is not very valuable and already has good paint on it will not put your dollars ahead at sale time, when you consider the cost of the repaint.

How much does the original color really bother me?

If it’s a few shades from your ideal, leave it alone. But, if you can’t stand looking at your car simply because of its color, sell it or repaint it. The most important aspect of owning a vintage car is that you enjoy it.

Is the vehicle already moderately to heavily modified? Did I buy it to modify it?

If you answered “yes” to either of the questions above, paint it any color you wish.

Conclusion

So far, I have faced this decision twice—once with my 1977 Trans Am and again with my 1967 Buick GS 400. Both times I decided to change the color. My T/A was Cameo White originally, and now it’s Carousel Red, which was offered in 1976 but not 1977. The T/A is also modified—A/C removed and automatic swapped out for a four-speed, etc. My Buick, which is mostly stock, was Verdi Green and now it’s Blue Mist, which was offered in 1967 and is simply my favorite color for that year.

Changing to a color that was available for the same model in its build year seems to be more acceptable in some circles than choosing a color that wasn’t. Again, it’s all opinion.

Even though I had no problem with either of the original colors, I took the opportunity to change them to something I liked better, since the body of each car was going to be restored anyway. I didn’t worry about resale because I knew that I’d keep both cars for a long time. I haven’t regretted it, so it was the right decision for me. It may not be for you. That’s why I outlined the considerations in this blog.