Chevette paint options/thoughts/opinions.....

[compass]

So, I bought this Chevette of these boards and had it delivered last night. It was bought as a bit of a project/practice for me as I`ve just started painting and am doing as many cars as I can at the moment.

The issue is, what to do! It`s covered 36,000 miles, and has a low owner count. Initially, I was going to keep it standard and paint it the original colour. However, after looking over the car and paperwork today, it`s a bit more shabby than I was expecting with hardly any paperwork to warrant the miles. I wouldn`t normally dream of messing with a standard low mileage car, as I do like to see them as they left the factory. I`m leaning towards something different though; total colour change, low with banded steels or wide alloys.

What`s the general consensus here then? Keep standard, or get creative? Any thoughts/opinions welcome!

Here`s the offending car;

[bazzateer]

My first car was a 4 door Chevette. Mine came in a mix of faded pale yellow and rust. Once the rust was removed I had it resprayed in Ford Daytona Yellow, fitted with 6x13 minilites and rally suspension it looked the dog's danglies. Also did the headlamp surrounds in satin black (earlier model than yours).

Yellow would contrast nicely with the black rear panel.

[rmad]

Paint it the original colour and then perform only reversible mods. Put the original wheels and springs at the back of the garage for when you want to return it to stock.

[retroade]

Normally I'd say original colour but that blue's just a bit dull. There were two original Chevette colours, a metallic green and a primrose yellow, that I think would suit it much better and would retain the OEM feel of the car.

I'd go for a 60s style look (yes, I know it's a 70s car) with primrose yellow paint, wider wheels, whitewalls, possibly a sun visor, light slap with the low stick and if possible keep the chrome hub caps. I reckon look at Vauxhall Crestas for inspiration, certainly would be different.

[sowen]

Stick to an original factory paint scheme. The blue doesn't look to bad, inoffensive so should be dead easy to punt on again. Period alloys, leave standard height or no more than an inch of lowering, and generally preserve it. These are rare and it looks too good to ruin by going all 'scene' on it

[compass]

Quite a split of opinion here!

I'll also add it needs to be saleable, as it'll be sold as soon as it's done. I'm not fussed about making a fortune on it, as I'm doing it more as a paint trial! I don't want to devalue it though!

TBH, I'm leaning a bit towards a yellow with a set of mk1 cavalier Rostyles or Manta alloys.

I might try a bit of photoshopping later for inspiration!

[Rob M]

Mar 20, 2015 17:00:01 GMT rmad said:

Paint it the original colour and then perform only reversible mods. Put the original wheels and springs at the back of the garage for when you want to return it to stock.

Seconded.
The original colour looks just right, a good repaint, slightly lowered and some nice wheels and you will have a spot on little car there.

[shagracer]

look at all the colours that vauxhall offered that model in then choose the one that works for you the most, and put it on some type of rostyle wheels with chrome rings and a max drop of 30mm (for me i think Vx did it in a pale chalky blue)

[geeza]

I think under that blue its red. I looked at it and was shown a little bit of red where the blue had flaked off. I only didn't buy it as couldn't justify the run up the M11 every two weeks with just four gears

[edwell]

I have a Picture of a lime green 4 door on banded rosyles on My PC at home, looks awesome.

I think it is this car but could be wrong

[PHUQ]

Same dilemma with my Marina estate, it's original colour is not dissimilar to that blue and it's a little uninspiring (although this would look a lot better shiny and with some white or cream details such as the last one ElWoody posted).

Personally I think these really suit bright colours, so I'd favour the suggestion of going for the factory bright yellow. That's more or less what I've decided to do with the Marina, go for a period correct factory colour that's a bit more unusual/ eye catching than the one that it left the factory in.

[gettingold]

The blue 2 door with white walls wins for me that's the look you should go for.

[compass]

Does anyone have any idea of the colour code/name for this please?



This orange is tempted me........