Wut Color to Paint it?, ...a Tale of 4 Colors.... Options

[Tom_T]

Okay Originality experts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) - I'm going to just ask some K.I.S.S. single topic questions to solicit your guidance on this, cuz my overly complicated posts just aren't workin'!

This question is how should I paint her, after I get everything repaired & rust issues resolved, given that....

I'm not a CW guy nor looking to make my 914 one, but just a true to original/OE & nice occasional driver, such that I maximize both it's current & long term value, as well as long term survivability.

I now know that my 1973 914-2.0 both has matching GA engine numbers & possibly tranny too (but probably not the latter) per the COA & car's numbers that I can read. It's an early 73 2L - built 9/72, VIN 4732901954 & Engine GA000424.

Per the under carpet/other "hidden" areas + COA - it's originally a L80E "Light Ivory/11" (white - blah! for my personal tastes) paint color.

ON the other hand & curiously, the (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) COA says its a "Black Leatherette/31" - when it's CLEARLY a TAN with matching loop/pile carpet !! ...although the L&R door armrest TOPS & Dash etc. are Black !? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

The interior is pretty good condition OE that will clean up well - with the exception of a 2" x 3" tear on the driver seat side bolster & 2 small 1/2" & 1" tears on the passenger seat side bolster & pass. side door top bolster underside (can find matching leatherette to sew-in those sections), a crack in the middle of the dash (new since stored), leather on steering wheel needs AM recovering kit (easy), & missing L&R OE carpet floor mat sections (easy to remedy with nice embroidered aftermarket carpet mats & hunt for OE replacements under that).

It has some moderate body F&R body-face panels & surrounding sheet metal work to be done - so it's NOT an accident free example, nor is it a low milage "garage/trailer maven" at 174k indicated & perhaps up to 190k true counting short periods to get speedo/odo. cables fixed over the time I owned it since 12/26/75.
Pix are posted at: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...93838&st=60

However, when I bought the car just over 3 years after first sold, it was what looked like a 3 year old Tan or Gold paint color - perhaps a first buyer or dealer initiated "Dealer Repaint" at the time of first sale on 11/9/72!

Because of the early aging of the Tan/Gold paint, I had it repainted to Copper Metallic/L99K in 8/76, then again in 5/80 I repaired some small rust bubbles & repainted it to the 911/930 Anthracite Grey Metallic/#??. I know - BAD me!!!! ...at least I was smart enough to go for a `73 2L, instead of a "purdy new" but slower 76 2L!

Notwithstanding the above - if I had bought a 73 914 new MYSELF, then I would've probably ordered either Marathon Blue Metallic/L96M or Alaska Blue Metallic/L96B or another Porsche or custom color match in a Blue Metallic/L99-98 -- get my (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon_bump.gif) BLU drift!?

To Summarize - An early 73 914-2.0 / "914S" with a strong running matching numbers GA 2L, a reasonably nice OE Tan Interior, but with some rust bubbles & 3"x6" RF Floor Pan Rust & Body Damage F&R to repair, & 170-190k miles....

...so how much should I fret researching stuff & putter her back to "absolute original" ?

.....versus just making ME happy with how I wudda ordered the car myself???

AND So the Color Questions:

Should I only consider going back to the factory L80E? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

...or...

Should I research whether the Tan/Gold was a Dealer Repaint & the way it "drove off the dealer's lot" ....& repaint to that?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

In other words - should I even waste time trying to track this 1st color change down? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

...or...

Should I just pick an appropriate 1973 Blue Metallic choice above, as I would have done putting out the "full ticket" new car price??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Here are some pix for your perusal & "viewing pleasure"....

A TALE OF 4 COLORS AS RE-PAINTED FROM BEHIND REAR BUMPER -
ANTHRACITE GREY METALLIC OVER COPPER METALLIC OVER A TAN OR GOLD (METALLIC?) OVER THE INITIAL WHITE:

[MDG]

I agree on the Light Ivory. White cars have never been my favourite however Light Ivory is one of the nicest whites out there. My '76 2.2 six conversion is Light Ivory and it's been done to look like a factory six. The contrast of the various chrome bits and the black and silver Fuchs plays beautifully with the black roof, bumper strips and sail panel etc. . . . looks sharp. Gives the car an elegant look in my opinion.

[Tom_T]

[quote name='MDG' date='Apr 24 2009, 04:04 PM' post='1161852']


as for the car, I didnt read the entire text, but from what I gathered, paint the car in the color you want. If its done clean it will show. It may not have the same value as the concours car, but its always about personal preference. The blue will look good (though a white 914 is also a very attractive car in my opinion)


as for the interior, not sure if you mentioned this, but are you positive its original? It could have been black (not sure if the white ivory had a black interior) or the COA is off.
[/quote]

...and....

I agree on the Light Ivory. White cars have never been my favourite however Light Ivory is one of the nicest whites out there. My '76 2.2 six conversion is Light Ivory and it's been done to look like a factory six. The contrast of the various chrome bits and the black and silver Fuchs plays beautifully with the black roof, bumper strips and sail panel etc. . . . looks sharp. Gives the car an elegant look in my opinion.
[/quote]

I've seen L80E's (white) with the full range of black, tan & brown interiors before over the years, and even on online as white/white - which was a bit too much WHITE for me!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

The tan interior is & always was TAN in my car - it's the COA that's off & their records are completely (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif) with their alleged 1st sale 9/73 in Conn. vs. my CA-DMV for 11/9/72!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) Doesn't give me much faith in their records, so I'm in the process of documenting everything & will send it to PCNA & request them to correct both the COA & their data files to show proper & accurate info for this car!

Yes - I've seen some very clean & slick looking light ivory's, so I'm sure I could live with it back to the L80E (at least I confirmed that one under the floor mats - that's "1" for PCNA's COA & "2" for engine number!), unless it's more correct to do it back to the Tan/Gold - IF that was a buyer/dealer color change
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) - - - - ANYONE WITH KNOWLEDGE ON WHAT'S MORE CORRECT???

I even put a white 74 L80E on my desktop, just to get me used to it! ...I suppose I could have it black-over-charcoal double hand pin-striped along the fender line & still be CW correct..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)