Original or not?

[drichards]

I bought a tatty racing green series 1 3.8 DHC and according to the heritage trust the original colour scheme was silver pearlescent with red cabin. My preference is to restore the car to its original colour scheme from a bare metal rebuild, but "friends!!" have suggested dark blue interior with grey piping on the seats. While the car will not be rebuilt to concourse standards my instinct tells me that resale value will be better sticking to the original colours. Other views welcome.

Thanks

[daverawle]

I bought a tatty racing green series 1 3.8 DHC and according to the heritage trust the original colour scheme was silver pearlescent with red cabin. My preference is to restore the car to its original colour scheme from a bare metal rebuild, but "friends!!" have suggested dark blue interior with grey piping on the seats. While the car will not be rebuilt to concourse standards my instinct tells me that resale value will be better sticking to the original colours. Other views welcome.

Thanks

If you are going from a bare metal rebuild I don't think changing the colour scheme will change the value significantly. I would stay with an E-Type colour combination though. Mine was a ratty OEW re-spray so following the heritage certificate and going back to OSB was an easy choice. The seats are dark blue with light blue piping which works well for an OTS but may be a bit somber in a FHC. What would have a negative affect on value, for me at least, is a colour change to the exterior with engine bay etc in the original colour.

Dave

[Heuer]

As Dave suggests stick with a factory colour combination - silver/red or gunmetal/red tend to be beautiful and desirable - check out the thread Angus (1954etype) has on his OTS restoration if you want to see one in the metal, albeit a OTS. http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535

You have to go with a full bare metal paint job for two reasons - a) you don't know what is lurking underneath the paint and b) it is the only way to eventually recover any value you put in the car. Original paint codes are here: http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=700

Incidentally original factory spec did not include different colour piping on the seats but the factory would do it if requested at time of order.

[Car-Nut]

What ever you go with, I hope you will be doing a restoration thread

[Echezeaux]

G'day,

For me , better to stick to the original color but as you are going to restore the car, you can choose any factory color and trim combo.
You are the one who is going to drive it and look at it every day, not your friends ! But every input is good when you need to make a choice.
By the way, are you on the West or East coast ?

Thierry

[drichards]

Thanks for the replies, have decided to stick with red interior having looked at the Angus Moss' pictures and Philip Porters book. We have been working at this for just over a year now working only at weekends, body repairs nearly done and can't wait to get the car painted. Have taken loads of photos to ensure we remember how things go back together again!! Thierry I live in Melbourne.

[Car-Nut]

There's a nice drive for a mini meet Melbourne to Perth

[martyxke]

I think the choice would depend on whether or not you are restoring to sell, or to keep. If you are keeping the car, choose a colour combination "you" like, after all as said previously you will have to look at it constantly. Its also worth remembering that people who are in the market for a car will be looking for a preferred colour combination, not a colour they dislike but was original. Also sticking to Jaguar options would be advisable in that respect.
Incidentaly my car has a red interior, but I decided to use a metallic blue body colour because I liked the shade ( which happens to be a porsche colour) and I still love it after nearly 25 years!