C1 paint color

[Roy B.]

This is the first written article 1987 to our SACE members of how to locate the original C1 color. For many years Noland and I new and suspected all C1's color could be determined some how, we had the opportunity in 1987 so read on. I never remember any article's later written on this giving "use" credit . I had a large library of combined serial numbers and colors.
One reason I'm posting this is because of NCRS judging many things like paint markings but why now this to determine the Corvettes original color like the C2's. My curious mind would like to know!!

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 paint color

Roy--exactly how would you judge those items without partially disassembling the car? If you're going to do that, shouldn't we remove the radio to make sure it has the part number tag on it? Etc., etc. Just where do you draw the line?
It's much easier to judge paint margins, marking, etc. that are on the exterior and readily visible--the ones you post would demand disassembly.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 paint color

You said (Partially disassembling the Corvette)
After I wrote about the difference of the 54 Dist ( truck verses Corvette) NCRS makes people remove the shielding?
When I wrote about welded wheels verses riveted they look under the Corvette or have a person remove the hub caps?
C2's in many cases remove the Dist. Shielding to see the block castings?
They have people remove the spare tire cover or tire tub to see the jack or wheel?
I remember C2 owners asking why C1 guys dint have to prove their paint color when their corvette was inspected (trim code)
NCRS put the burden on C1 owners to sign a paper years (green sheet) ago about the paint color being original and if found later to be changed took their flight award away.
How hard would it be to remove a seat cushion or remove the trunk cover?
I'm only asking the question not encouraging it.

[Wayne W.]

Re: C1 paint color

We new bout the coller thin long befer 1987. Do we git credet?

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 paint color who is we? *NM*

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 paint color who is we?

Any astute restorer who was doing a color change would easily remove the original grease pencil designation, put the "correct" color on, and lightly paint over it, then scratch it, and "eureka"--the "original" color!!!! Taint all that hard to do--no reason to do disassembly to find that.

[John M.]

Re: C1 paint color who is we?

That was exactly what I was thinking as well! One reason that I like doing C1 cars, is that I am not encumbered by the original paint color. As long as it is a "correct" color, it judges fine. No one will ever be able to find even a trace of original color on one of my body-offs, so there is no reason to ever judge the color for being original. A grease pencil color written in the trunk or behind the seat would only indicate that I was capable of writing.

Regards, John McGraw

[Roy B.]

Re: OK shot that idea down "good"

Years ago NCRS required the owner to sign a so called green sheet saying their Corvette was the color that their Vett was originally . Many owners that did change it from what color it was felt up set because back then many did change the color and other members knew it and now having to say NO! if they dint wont to loose points on color they just dint have their vett judged or dropped out of NCRS.
It happened to me back then , I said no signing the green sheet ,and told them that they needed to prove by judging my Corvette it dint come with the color it was, so they called the guy I got it from and gave me zero for color( because I did change it) . So from then on people dint talk about changing colors to any one even friends . Do they still require that green sheet?????? Or drop it to get members back????
That was what 20 or more years ago and the last time I ever showed any of my Corvettes till 05 .

[John M.]

Re: OK shot that idea down "good"

Roy,

The standard is whether the item in question is consistent with the appearance of the item when it was new from the factory. Regardless of what is declared on the sheet, the jusges are not supposed to use any "prior knowledge" of the car in judging it. Ever if everyone in the country knows it is not the original color, as long as a C1 is painted one of the correct colors and is undectable as a color changem then it will judge as correct.

My Duntov 60 was not the original color, but it never got any deducts, even though I was very open about changing the color. There was no way I could live with a Silver car with a turquoise interior! Red with black interior was the only choice in my book. This has kept me from buying a couple of original C2 cars over the years. With the trim tag, it substantially lowers the value of original cars by changing the color, and there are colors that I just can't live with. with C1 cars this is not an issue, and that is one reason that I like them for restoration.

I guess that this is one of the reasons that I have built several basket-case resto-mods lately, I can change things on such a car without having the value take a hit. You would probably not be suprised however to hear that I had the 59 over at a cruise night a few weeks ago, and had a guy who felt obligated to stop and tell me that 59 cars did not have tan interiors available in them originally. Here I am with the hood up, a LS1 engine chromed to the max, tube frame, disks on all corners, chrome wheels and wide tires all the way around, and this guy tells me that my interior was not original! I just about bust a gut laughing after he walked away. I am sure that he felt very satisfied that he had helped educate one of the great unwashed masses with his vast Corvette knowledge. LOL

Regards, John McGraw

[Roy B.]

Re: OK shot that idea down "good"

So they did drop the green sheet Requirement.

[Terry M.]

Re: OK shot that idea down "good"

Roy,

What did you fill out when you had your car judged at the National in 2005? Nothing has changed since then.

[Roy B.]

Re: OK shot that idea down "Terry"

I filled nothing out I was talking what happened many years ago called the green sheet

[Terry M.]

Re: OK shot that idea down "Terry"

Roy if you had your car judged at the National two years ago, and I know you did, you filled out a "green sheet." THAT was my point.

The paper is no longer green, but the form still, I think, asks the same question about your knowledge of the originality of the car. If you don't remember, it must not have been too big an issue two years ago. I don't think it is a big deal for most folks any longer.

[Roy B.]

Re: OK shot that idea down "Terry"

I guess I did two years ago , my 55 is original copper color, I dint pay much attentions or stayed with the vett , dint think having all those accessories it would even flight being a national meet plus we drive it, and I was judging other 53 to 55 Corvettes. Needless to say my wife and I were surprised it took top flight. The judges were to kind and we got driving points.