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: