restoring a 1973 2.0, what color should i paint? Options

[crxnug]

im restoring a 1973 2.0 and i need some help to make a color choice, i dont want to repaint it the color it came as ,red
the only color i have ruled out are yellows, black, reds, dard green.
the colors im leaning towards are silver metallic, marathon blue, signal orange,
any help in deciding on which way to go would be a great help

[Tom_T]

im restoring a 1973 2.0 and i need some help to make a color choice, i dont want to repaint it the color it came as ,red
the only color i have ruled out are yellows, black, reds, dard green.
the colors im leaning towards are silver metallic, marathon blue, signal orange,
any help in deciding on which way to go would be a great help

If you're not looking to stay original with it, then pick what "floats your boat"!

However, you need to be aware that there is a significantly lower value for 914's not in their stock color - perhaps 40-60+% lower, amongst collectors. If yours is otherwise all original with matching numbers (engine & transaxle [if listed] case numbers match VIN on your COA) & the engine is still/staying all stock D-jet - then you may want to reconsider not staying with the original colors.

Listen - I'm no "CW saint" - since my 73 had been repainted tan then gold by the time it was 3 years old when I got it in 12/75, then I repainted to Copper Metallic in 8/76, then to Anthracite Metallic (dk. gray) in 5/80 - after starting life a L80E Light Ivory.

Not being a "white car guy" myself - last year I too considered yet another color change to Marathon Blue Metallic ....... until I talked to a few 914-ers, looked at values original vs. color changed & relative to what it will cost to repair & restore mine. Then I decided to go back to original L80E & learned to like the color more than I had, but my wife's still disappointed (until she sees it done & purdy I'm sure).

Unfortunately it's a dilemma & decision that only you can make, & you'll get input from both sides & many colors that THEY like. You may want to PM dr.914 to get his opinion of original vs. color changes. So look into all the angles, how much work, time & $$s you'll be sinking into your own resto., then decide whether you want your pick that makes YOU happy - or if you can learn to like the original Red, then do it with all the fact & open eyes! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Is/was yours Bahia Red (red-red) or Phoenix Red (red-orange)??

Here are a couple of pix of my buddy's still ORIGINAL Bahia Red paint (no repaint) on his 1 owner 71 914/4 1.7L (plus some!) well preserved & now a garage queen since about 76-77, to give you an idea of how they looked out of the factory (with a few personalization items like the dash, threshold plates, hood badge & Western wheels - all as delivered by the dealer on a buyer who ordered the "extras" then backed out & never took delivery.




That'll give you an idea of what a really nice original Bahia Red (red-red) 914 will look like.

Here's a nicely repainted Phoenix Red 73 2L -



If I could've afforded one in college & ordered it, then I'd have gotten either Marathon Blue, Alaska Blue or special ordered the 70-71 Blue Metallic - all/either with the beige interior which mine has, but that's MY tastes! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

These color links have 914s in the various colors fyi -
http://www.p914.com/p914_paint.htm

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