914/6 - changing the colour from original, Effect on value? Options

[cal914]

We have recently bought a matching numbers 914/6 and it needs some restoration work including a bare metal re-spray. It is (original) Alaska [edit: should have said Adriatic blue] Blue and we are not keen on that colour. Our favourite colour is Signal Orange.

We will be keeping the car once restored and driving it and showing it, for the foreseeable.

We would be interested to hear views on the effect on value in changing the colour.

Thanks Kate/Brian

[Cairo94507]

Yeah....so I never implied that other sixes that were original color, etc., were trailer queens. I just said that my car was not going to be a trailer/garage queen. I think you took the analysis one step beyond... just saying.

Additionally, if you came across a Six that was a paint to sample factory car in pink, does that mean you would repaint it pink? I am sorry, but some colors are just best left to the memory. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Tom_T]

Yeah....so I never implied that other sixes that were original color, etc., were trailer queens. I just said that my car was not going to be a trailer/garage queen. I think you took the analysis one step beyond... just saying.

Additionally, if you came across a Six that was a paint to sample factory car in pink, does that mean you would repaint it pink? I am sorry, but some colors are just best left to the memory. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Okay Michael, I accept that you weren't implying that.

However, it's funny that your pink car example is oddly timely - take a look at the latest March 2016 issue of Classic Motorsports, pg. 70, "Pretty in Pink" about the 1955 "Earls Court" #1 Austin-Healey 100M .... wait for it .... in Black over Pink!

Read the article & figure on the value of that special big Healey today, restored in its original color, then ask yourself what would you do with it. The OPs Kate & Brian may be aware of this Healey 100M, they being in the UK.

While they don't give its current value today in that article, my bet is that it would be sold today at a 150-200%+% premium over the more typical Healey 100Ms - it being #1 off the line care in its original unusual eye-grabbing color scheme (or maybe eye-searing to you), with an interesting racing & car show introduction history.

A one-off paint to color car of any collectible marque & model is well worth restoring it to the way it left the factory - especially once they start going up a lot in value - as both big Healeys & 914-6s have recently done.

To your 914-6 question in #99 paint to sample pink:
Is it my cup of tea? ... no!

Would I restore it to the original #99 pink ... yup!

.... but I wouldn't be keen on #98/99 Aubergine either!

Would I then trade or sell it off to an appropriate keeper of it who could appreciate it ... maybe - depending on what history it holds for me personally.

As I said in my first post to the OP's question - white or Light Ivory is not my cup-o-tea so much either, but it's the original color on my 73 914-2.0 .....

.... & that car holds a load of memories for me since I got it in 1975 as second owner - including struggles to buy it & properly maintain it even when funds were tight, courting my wife in it, etc., etc.

So I'll restore it to L80E & learn to love her in that color ... or more correctly "shade"!

.... it's not pink - but it's also not the Marathon Blue that I (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif) over as a poor college student when the 73 "914S" 2.0's came out either!

But this is my choice, & as I've said several times already - you, the OPs Kate/Brian & everyone else has to make their own decision for themselves, then live with whatever the consequences good or bad or neutral.

The Pink Healey article will probably hit their website at the link below in another month or so, since the March issue just came out last week, for those who don't get Classic Motorsports.

https://classicmotorsports.com/articles/

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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