Are you considering purchasing a classic car? Do you want to ensure that you don’t unintentionally decrease its value?
Unbeknownst to some first-time classic car owners, when you select a non-timeless exterior paint color, you may accidentally diminish its resale value. But why? For starters, an original factory paint color can help validate a classic car’s authenticity, improving resale prospects.
For instance, consider the phrase “Resale, red.” Red is the most popular classic car color, accounting for 25% of collector car sales, followed by blue, silver, green, and yellow.
On the other hand, purple and brown have the lowest resale rates of every major classic car color.
Yet, while the color red commands a majority of classic car transactions, original silver hues drive a higher price range.
Customized paint jobs, on the other hand, may decrease resale value. After all, most classic car buyers are in the market for vehicles with authentic exterior paint.
If you want an appreciating investment, opt for an in-demand classic car color.
The Palette of the Past: Exploring Classic Car Colors
The narrative of classic car colors is as colorful as the shades themselves.
Some of the most popular classic car colors include:
- Mustang Grabber Blue
- ‘Cuda Plum Crazy
- Camaro Hugger Orange
- Ferrari Fly Yellow
- British Racing Green
The Most Iconic Shades: A Look at Vintage Colors
Decades later, some colors have endured the test of time, including the following:
Red: The Color of Speed and Desire
Red has traditionally been a fiery color that makes your heart race. It’s the color of speed, desire, and all things intense—love, passion, anger, (and even appetite enhancement). Looking at the Ferrari above, you can’t help but feel excited.
In the the 1950s, the FIA, a governing body for racing, assigned Ferrari its classic burgundy red color.
Black and White: Elegance on Wheels
The appeal of black and white cars is eternal. Take the 1957 ‘Black Mamba’ Chevy Bel Air, for example–a car that came to symbolize the art-deco architecture of its era.
Blue: The Cool Hue of Classic Cars
Blue, particularly in its baby blue variant, also called powder or sky blue, is a classic car color that made its debut in the 1950s. The color quickly rose in popularity, especially after the production of one of the most heralded baby blue classic cars in history, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air, pictured above.
Popular Classic Car Colors by Location: The Golden State
The Golden State, with its rich Hollywood underbelly, and diverse cultural history, has consistently set trends, and classic car colors are not an exception.
While silver wasn’t a common exterior color in parts of the country, it was popular in California due its association with Hollywood glam. Leading the charge, Mercedes and Rolls Royce painted their 1930s models in refined silver colors. See the 1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Drophead Coupe by Worblaufen picture above.
Silver-colored cars are popular among Californian classic car collectors today for the luxury car era they represent.
Hollywood and Hot Rods: The Impact of Celebrity Culture on Classic Car Colors
The sparkling influence of Hollywood transcends the silver screen. You might imagine the hot rod pictured above in the movies, Grease or American Grafitti.
Some iconic car colors that have been popularized by Hollywood include:
- The baby blue 1964 Aston Martin DB5, immortalized in the James Bond film Goldfinger
- The red Ferrari Testarossa from the TV show Miami Vice
- The black Dodge Charger from the movie The Fast and the Furious
Interested in Classic Car Maintenance?
Possessing a classic car is akin to housing a historical artifact in your garage. A buffer can restore a classic car’s paintwork to its original luster, but caution is key—always check the paint depth with a paint thickness gauge. Paint depth uniformity is critical for the following reasons:
- Ensures your classic car meets expected and documented standards.
- Reveals any other customized paint jobs or renovations.
- It can help set the prices for your vehicle.
- Impacts lifespan, appearance, and performance.
Consider regular treatments with a clay bar, followed by polish can maintain the shine and prevent oxidation. Employ specific restoration techniques, such as strip washing and conditioning with oils, to help retain the authenticity of the vintage colors.
Use products like XPEL TracWrap to offer an added layer of protection against the elements. Apply it to exposed areas, to shield from debris and pebbles that can chip away at your car’s storied facade.
At-Home Care: Keeping Colors Vibrant
It’s not solely about the professionals; classic car owners can do plenty at home to maintain their colors’ vibrancy. Here are some tips:
- Use a quality car cover to protect the paint job from dust, scratches, and dents, even when stored in a garage.
- For those living in damp climates, use a dehumidifier in the garage to prevent rust and protect the paint finish.
- Regularly wash and condition the paint, using glaze to restore oils, followed by the application of quality waxes.
- Older cars are especially prone to rust, so you’ll want to think twice about storing your classic outdoors–especially without a cover or any overhead protection.
In Conclusion
As the vintage colors of the past make their way onto the modern cars of today, they remind us that true beauty is timeless—and that some things really do get better with age.
If you own or recently bought a classic car, it’s essential to safeguard your vehicle’s exterior. We recommend protecting it from the elements in a covered or enclosed space.
You have options.
You can store your new classic car in a private residential garage, a parking garage, a canopied parking lot, or even a luxury car storage facility. Whatever your preference, Neighbor Storage has options.
With Neighbor, a peer-to-peer Car storage marketplace, you’ll find Car storage options in all 50 states. You can even find storage spaces in your very own neighborhood–at prices 50% lower than traditional storage options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes a Car Color ‘Classic’?
A classic car color is one that has stood the test of time, becoming emblematic of a particular era or brand, and continuing to evoke a sense of nostalgia and timeless appeal in the present day.
Why Are Vintage Car Colors Making a Comeback?
Vintage car colors are making a comeback and manufacturers and consumers are seeking timeless design elements that elicit an emotional response in customers.
What Challenges Do Classic Car Owners Face in Maintaining Their Car’s Color?
Finding exact paint matches and understanding specialized restoration techniques.
Can Classic Car Colors Influence the Value of a Vehicle?
Yes, certain iconic hues like silver and red often fetch higher average sale prices in the collector car market due to their association with luxury and the racing heritage era.
