Does Changing Color Hurt Car Value???

HornetSpecial

I am restoring a '54. If I don't paint car according to paint code on serial plate will it affect value? Would it be ok to paint car a different color, but correct color for that year '54 ? Also would it affect the judging at all? Thanks for any input !!

Paul in MN.

rambos_ride

HornetSpecial wrote:

I am restoring a '54. If I don't paint car according to paint code on serial plate will it affect value? Would it be ok to paint car a different color, but correct color for that year '54 ? Also would it affect the judging at all? Thanks for any input !!
Paul in MN.

Of course its ok - its your car!

Really though, changing color is not the detriment it used to be for judging in shows. Most people I have seen will re-badge the car by having a new plate made or finding one with the correct color code.

I think the only thing that could be an issue is if you are trying to show or have the original documentation showing it came in the original color and now the car isn't that color.

The fact that you want to stay period correct should help you - its not like you are trying to paint it Fiero Red or something like that!

Go for it!

Jon B

Of course if you're aiming for total originality, it would be a shame to run around the track and stop short of the finish line by spending thousands of dollars on Candy Apple Red! But ya gotta live with this car and if the original colors just don't appeal to you, you should do as you like.



I don't think that in general, Hudson buyers are that particular about authenticity of color, so I don't think going 'inauthentic' will hurt you when you go to sell.



As to judging, well, it depends upon how knowledgeable the AACA judges are about Hudson colors. So if you are going for the gold, I guess changing colors is a gamble. (Of course there is no judging within the Hudson club, so no problem there...)

Unknown

all Hornets are supposed to be green,right?

HornetSpecial

yorgatron wrote:

all Hornets are supposed to be green,right?

How did you know I wanted to change from Coronatiom Creame to Green!

Paul

[Deleted User]

My 2 cents- a quality paint job is what makes or breaks a color change. A second rate color change paint job that leaves a different color in the door jambs, under the hood and in the trunk doesn't look good. Your worse case is that a person can always go back to the original color for the cost of another paint job. The other obvious consideration is the owner's taste. Some cars just don't look good in some colors. Hard to go wrong with a period correct color. A tan color Ferrari? Please, someone give me the Viagra! Niels

EssexAdv

The color is not stamped on the Serial Plate on 54's. It, like most stepdowns, is on the top right front door hinge.



As far as the color change, changing the color to a not authentic color, will limit your possible re-sale audiance. The more you limit your sale audiance, the more you will discount the car to make it sell. This is normal sales stuff. While some might not care if you change it, other;s will, BUt in any no one will mind if it is the correct color. Heck, if done right, nobody will ever know

Unknown

Hornet special, my 54 wasp was a very bland creme color which I didn't like too much so when I had it painted I stayed with that color on the upper body and then added a "mocha"tan color to the roof and body bottom using the chrome strip as the dividing line. I was very pleased with how it turned out and have recieved a lot of complements and even won a few awards, usually as peoples choice. So I think I " improved" the look of the car at least to my own taste without straying too far from the original. Just my 2 cents...Jim

HornetSpecial

Hello Lew,

Thanks for your valued input!! I looked at the hinge on right front, and saw no numbers. However the are some on serial plate where it says paint . It is very light and hard to read. We think we know what color was Coronation Cream bottom with Pasture Green top. We would like to make the bottom the Green and the top gream. Just opposite. You have seen this car many many times. This is Bob Sibole/ Hartongs/ Ted Sibole in MN Hornet Special. Just like to test the water before I jump in. In this case paint. Thanks for input Lew.

Ted in MN

Unknown

Just a comment about restored cars, Last week I was looking at a trailer queen 55 Chevy hardtop, lots of money spent and beautiful car, BUT the owner did the wheels himself, They looked like crap, nice paint ,but poor preperation, full of pits around the outside edges,. If you interested in winning prizes. go for it, otherwise as others have said here , Who cares, If it makes you happy. Don't worry about it . DO IT. Bye the way how could you live in Minn. and not be oley or sven.

SuperDave

EssexAdv wrote:

The color is not stamped on the Serial Plate on 54's. It, like most stepdowns, is on the top right front door hinge.



As far as the color change, changing the color to a not authentic color, will limit your possible re-sale audiance. The more you limit your sale audiance, the more you will discount the car to make it sell. This is normal sales stuff. While some might not care if you change it, other;s will, BUt in any no one will mind if it is the correct color. Heck, if done right, nobody will ever know

The 54 Hornet Hollywood that I just finished for Mac Did have the paint code on the serial plate. it was not "stamped" in,like the serial number, but apperared to be an ink or paint stamp.I think that is a 54 only item. The two tone number code (178) on the tag was in the 48-54 Parts book.That code is Spring green lower and pasture green upper. It was ugly with a capitol "U". I changed the car to Code 193. Don't bother to look it up. it's penciled into my book! Palm Beach green lower, Coronation Cream upper. For the life of me, I can't see why it was not offered. it looks very natural. I figured since I had the car apart and with no engine, I could get a thorough job . I stamped the code into the replacement tag I got from Kgap. The original tag was in the glove compartment and had been mangled by someone in the past. Looks like they tried to remove it with a dull cold chisle. I kept it in the glove box to show to anyone that might question the authenticity of the replacement tag, since the style of numbers (font?) is different than the original. it passed Fl. DMV with no questions. I agree that as long as the colors are original to the year, and done as the factory would have done.. suit yourself.

dwardo99

I have got to say that the light green that so many 54s were painted is enough to drop a rhino in its tracks, it's so ugly. My Super Wasp was that color originally and someone had the good taste to paint it black. When I repaint it I don't know what color it will be but it won't be the original green.

EssexAdv

Ted, go for it. Enjoy the car and don't worry about the resale. You arn't gonna sell that one anyway

Aaron D. IL

I know all '54 Wasp Club sedans were Spring Green with a green interior, my guess is that in '54 the factory was trying to use up a lot of supplies in their inventory probably along with the less popular paint they had on hand. If you're going to keep this car I wouldn't worry about it, and even if you're not the right color combo or originally available color combo would probably still appeal to a buyer.