Roman Red?

[Tom Spurgeon]

I recently received a Dupont paint chart from 1960. It includes the paint code for a Chevrolet, Corvette Roman Red. Until we received the paint code and color chip, I believed that our car was originally Roman Red. After looking over the steering wheel, center interior console, and other pieces with the original color however, we have noticed a more "orange" color. Was there a late 1960 Corvette produced with a red-orange appearance?

In advance, your help is appreciated.

Respectfully,
Tom and Judy Spurgeon
corvettethomas

[Norris W.]

Re: Roman Red?

It's something I faced when I painted my 60 over 10 years ago now. What was confusing was that the formula from Dupont was the EXACT same as what popped up for Riverside Red in 63 also.

[Duke W.]

Re: Roman Red?

Yes, Roman Red and Riverside red are the same formula. Chevrolet just changed the color name for '63.

Duke

[Mike E.]

Re: Roman Red?

Tom,
The original steering wheel hub, turn signal hub, and especially dash pad either faded very early in life, or actually started out an oranger hue. My preference is the latter, having taken out an original red dash pad in the mid 70's and finding the portion that is against the back of the instrument cluster (and never sees the light of day) an oranger shade than the center console, radio speaker/grille, etc.
In my opinion, all those pieces failed to match in hue, and Chevrolet didn't lose any sleep over that at all.

[John O.]

Re: Roman Red?

Hi Tom

Just what Norris said about Riverside Red is correct. I had my 62 vette Painted Roman Red and the Riverside Red is whats used. I had them make me a small container up for touch ups and thats the name on the can.

John

[Norris W.]

Re: Roman Red?

I did a lot of calling on it at the time, including Dupont, and even had the local Dupont jobber dig some old color chips out of the storage room. I was just sure that I remembered the old Roman red as being redder than the orangish tone to the Riverside, which I'd shot myself on a couple of my 63's previously.

[John M.]

Re: Roman Red?

Norris,
Riverside Red and Roman read are exactly the same formulation. There may be some difference in the colors available today however. PPG's formula for Roman Red is a real good match for an old color chip. It was also called Seminole Red when used on passenger cars.

Regards, John McGraw

[Norris W.]

Re: Roman Red?

Thanks John. I pretty well made that determination back when I was researchin' it, but not without a lot of convicing. My ole' sometimes foggy memory dies hard, even when it contradicts facts.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Roman Red?

Roman Red and Riverside Red are the same colors. Both contain much orange when new. It'll get more red loking over time. Initially it's very orange.