how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

[Brandon T.]

I found a nice bumper car that I like with all the options I am after only bad thing is someone painted it red and it was originally a blue car.

[William L.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

Since no one else has answered you I'll take a crack at it for you. As long as the original trim tag in the car you can always put it back to the original color. I haven't had a car painted in a long time but from what I hear a good quality pant job is going to be in the 7 to 10 grand range, more if it needs a lot of body work!
So if you like the color it is now and your not going to have it Judged. It doesn't hurt the price of the car all that much.
Just my 2 cents worth. I'm sure someone else will chime in.
Bill

[Tom D.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

Something is in the very first part of the new 1966 judging guide about this. Very near the trim plate drawings there is a comment about 50 percent deductions. (Judging points, not value.)

If the car needs paint anyway, I'd change it back. However, such a decision can lead to many other restoration efforts, and you may not be able to drive it for awhile. I know someone who will paint perfectly well for less than seven grand, but that is after you remove the red paint...

The answer to your value question depends on the overall condition of the car. Many of my non-NCRS friends and neighbors pay no attention to trim tags. I still find owners who ask me to explain the codes.

[Paul J.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

Brandon, it depends on the car (and the buyer). Changing the color on any car is not much different in theory than any other custom work. I like to reference the classification rules in the Old Cars Price Guide. This is a 1 to 5 rating scale (there is a "0", being the best, but those don't exist). The scale is based mainly on condition, with the best cars being stock (like the NCRS judging standards). Changing the color will drop a car to a Class 3 or even a Class 4, as it can be looked at as customizing or even hot rodding. However, you see freshly done resto mods bring big money, and almost all of them don't have their stock color. I think you have to look at changing the color with respect to everything else on the car.

The "value" is in the eyes of the buyer, and he is the one that's going to ultimately determine what it's worth. You will narrow your potential buyer list if the color is different. If the car is not in pristene condition, or has some custom elements that buyer is looking for, then the color change might not make much of a difference at all. It all depends on what the person that is going to buy your car is looking for.

For example, color changes don't bother me because most of the time I'm buying cars for restoration. Sometimes I don't even paint the cars their original colors. But I won't pay top dollar for a car painted a different color, unless there is something very special about it. It's just another one of the things to consider when trying to decide on buying a car. Usually, if the color is defferent, there's a whole lot of other things that are different.

Paul

[William C.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

I'd venture if in nice shape, I'd place it at the cost of a quality strip & Repaint, $8-10K. If it has "well used" paint then the cost differential would be less, maybe much less. Just depends on what the starting point is as to condition/price.

[Greg C.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

I think the official formula for how much the "wrong" paint affects value is:
How much would you spend on a paint job - (how many years you could live with the current paint x1000. subtracted from the price the car "should" be if it had a decent code correct paint job.

EX
A guy is asking 36K for a car that is the wrong color. If it had a decent paint job of the correct color, it be worth $40K
If you'd spend 8K on the correct paint job, but will end up living with the incorrect color for 5 years till you got around to painting it... the formula is 40K - (8000 -5000) which is $37000... so the guy is giving you a break, quit whining an buy the car... its a bargain!

But, if you can't live with that color for even half a year.... 40K - (8000-(.5x1000) or 40K -7500 =$32500 for the car.
(of course, if you spend more or less for the paint job....)

[Brandon T.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

It just seems like I can't find a flipping NICE car I should be able to find a nice 1968-1972 convertible big block convertible with air pb ps and pw and tilt for less than 40k yet I have not found ONE car that is all around nice. They have either frame rust issues, painted the wrong color and the original color will be a crappy one, been hit before, have coupe door on it if its a vert and vice vera, drive train not correct etc...

I'm about to give up on a nice c3 and buy an 04 convertible mn6 z51 car with like 10k miles on it for a lot less and stop trying to buy someone elses car they have abused through the years yet still want 35k-50k for when it's not worth it!

it's getting old...most people don't take care of their things like I would have if I bought a 68-72 vette new. I really want a 70 red/black 454 4sp air car with pb ps pw tilt and leather. Let me know where one is that hasn't been trashed....there is a 72 on ebay now convertible 454 air car 4sp that looks nice but its an original targa blue car and the owner claimed he didn't know ya whatever you owned it since 88 and didn't know? he doesn't have any frame pics said it was excellent so had him email me pics what a pig! frame wasn't smooth has large scale etc...not a nice car yet nice and shinny on the outside.

ok I'm done ranting

[Robert R.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

Brandon,
Patience will eventualy reward you.
We all have looked and looked until the right one pops up when least expected.
Sorry, I know that sounds like some old guy telling you what you already know, but it does happen.
And as you already have seen, there are a lot of junk cars out there that you will have to check out til the one you want comes.

Good Luck

[Michael D.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

...it depends on the ...the buyer....

I agree. You could guestimate a third of potential buyers would recognize the color change and be concerned enough to dicker on asking price; a second third would possibly be aware of the change and not particularly care. A final third will not know about the color change, will possibly not know to ask, and will be tickled with resale red.

[Paul J.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

Brandon,
Patience will eventualy reward you.
We all have looked and looked until the right one pops up when least expected.
Sorry, I know that sounds like some old guy telling you what you already know, but it does happen.
And as you already have seen, there are a lot of junk cars out there that you will have to check out til the one you want comes.

Good Luck

To prove Robert's point, I've been looking for a couple of particular cars (not Vettes) for almost two years. I missed one in Richmond, VA on Monday, but by some stroke of luck found another in Wilmington NC on Tuesday. Yesterday I drove four hours and bought the car, while two other people waited around to take it if I did'nt. Later this afternoon I'm looking to buy another car, but at least its local. Maybe it was the penny I found in the parking lot.

[Brandon T.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

It just makes it really hard to buy a vintage corvette with issues and someone still wanting like 50k for it when I can buy an 04 convertible z51 car with 9200 miles on it loaded for 29k.

I am looking at that car too but I know I will be giving up and settling on a late model if I buy it but people need to understand yes your car can be worth 50k but not when it's not restored or not a survivor....yanno. Barrett jackson has made people think their rusted abused cars needing head to toe restoration is worth big money and it's silly.

[Domenic T.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

I think it all depends how long you are going to keep the car and what kind of paint you are going to use.

If you want to keep the car more than 5 or so years and use acrylic laquer you will most likely have to make a paint choice again at which time you can return to original color.

If you use a good paint then you better have your mind made up as to which color you want to live with.

DOM

[Thomas H.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

Brandon,

I spent over 1 year looking for a clean 70/71 big block car. I had very tight requirements as you do. I even went to Carlisle with 30k in pocket (2008 year) ready to buy. I couldn't find anything for that money that wasn't junk (my word and my opinion only). I came home from there very bummed and the next week I found the car I eventually bought on a simple internet search for a lot less then the 30k I was ready to spend.

Keep in mind that this time of year is prime selling season. I recently made two VERY reasonable offers on a couple of low mileage 2007 Z06's and I got shot down on both. One has since sold and one is still for sale (two months later). Wait until the fall when folks are more inclined to negotiate.

Also, you might want to compromise on your requirements. From what you have listed, big block, vert, air, ps....... you have really narrowed your search to a limited segment of the C3 market which puts you into the higher dollar cars.

Tom

[Thomas H.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

It just seems like I can't find a flipping NICE car I should be able to find a nice 1968-1972 convertible big block convertible with air pb ps and pw and tilt for less than 40k yet I have not found ONE car that is all around nice. They have either frame rust issues, painted the wrong color and the original color will be a crappy one, been hit before, have coupe door on it if its a vert and vice vera, drive train not correct etc...
ok I'm done ranting

Brandon,

I once went to look at a "perfect" (owners words, not mine) 69 427/435 car white with black gut. When I got there, the car was more "rough" then "perfect" I was not allowed to drive it, but the owner took me out in it. I honestly believe it was his first day driving a clutch........... When we got back I was looking over the car and asked about three small diameter holes in the passenger side door. I asked "what are these holes from?" His response was "I dunno, maybe bullet holes..........." True story. I left after that statement.............

Oh yea, I once drove 2.5 hours to look at a "perfect" 70 LT1. I quizzed the owner over the phone for 30 min about the car before deciding to make the drive. When I got there, I knew within maybe 30 seconds I had just wasted 5 hours of my life. The dead giveaway was the oil puddle under the car. I'm not talking a few drops like most old cars drop, I'm talking a 3 foot diameter puddle. Along with that there was oil dry all over the carpet. There was also a puddle under the differential which the owner blamed on the repair shop "beating" his car when he had it in for service. I left after about 5 minutes.

Tom

[Michael M.]

Re: how much does a color change typically bring down the value of a car?

Yes, it seems the chrome bumper C3s are starting to creep up in value, even for less than perfect cars. People, it seems, generally have a higher regard for their car than maybe others, but that's life. I feel for you though when you drive 2.5 hours and the car has been grossly mis-represented, that's just ridiculous. It's my undesrstanding you can't get a basket case 63-67 for less than $25K-$30K. People may be moving from C2's to C3's because the C2's have gotten out of sight, especially the BBs.