Dilemma- What colour to paint car?
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I bought an Elan Sprint a couple of years ago with the intension of it being a car to use and abuse, rather than be a cosseted show car.
The car has a spyder chassis and fully adjustable suspension all round, so isn?t for the concours purist! - Car looks nice and original from above!
The car was originally Colorado Orange over White when sold new in 1971, but was painted Red over White in 1978 , so for the majority of its life has been a red and white car.
I like both colours but should I come to sell it in the future Orange cars seem to stick around longer?
I am 80% sold on red but I can?t kick this originality thing- I need to keep reminding myself it hasn?t got its original chassis and is not intended as a show car but a nice looking and driving car.
So orange or red what would you do ( I know its my car but it gives us something to talk about on the forum )
Cheers
George
The car has a spyder chassis and fully adjustable suspension all round, so isn?t for the concours purist! - Car looks nice and original from above!
The car was originally Colorado Orange over White when sold new in 1971, but was painted Red over White in 1978 , so for the majority of its life has been a red and white car.
I like both colours but should I come to sell it in the future Orange cars seem to stick around longer?
I am 80% sold on red but I can?t kick this originality thing- I need to keep reminding myself it hasn?t got its original chassis and is not intended as a show car but a nice looking and driving car.
So orange or red what would you do ( I know its my car but it gives us something to talk about on the forum )
Cheers
George
- Type28
- Second Gear
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Hello George,
I can see the what you mean... not an easy decision to make!
The original orange over white will appeal to far fewer people than red over white (as may pistachio green or tawny brown etc)
As it already has a non-standard chassis, perhaps go for a colour that you prefer? (but staying with a period Lotus shade)
My 1966 restoration project was originally Cirrus White but I'm not keen, I much prefer Medici Blue or similar!
Mark
I can see the what you mean... not an easy decision to make!
The original orange over white will appeal to far fewer people than red over white (as may pistachio green or tawny brown etc)
As it already has a non-standard chassis, perhaps go for a colour that you prefer? (but staying with a period Lotus shade)
My 1966 restoration project was originally Cirrus White but I'm not keen, I much prefer Medici Blue or similar!
Mark
- S3FHC
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I agree with Mark, if you are going to be using the car rather than a show car then chose a colour you really like, it is after all your car and you should stamp your own mark on it
Enjoy it whatever colour it ends up
Enjoy it whatever colour it ends up
Simplify and add lightness
Lotus Elan S4 Coupe - Wedgewood Blue
Lotus Elise S1 - Racing Green
Lotus Elan S4 Coupe - Wedgewood Blue
Lotus Elise S1 - Racing Green
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Rob P - Third Gear
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Colorado Orange over White Laddie. How many Embassy Elans are there loads of them + Colorado is it's original colour . I have a Lagoon Blue over White Sprint fhc 1972 and would never change a Sprint colour from original
Alan
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
- alan.barker
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I would definately put it back to Colorado, not just because of originality, but because it would look gorgeous!!
I would probably go for solid colour as well, rather than it being over white.
Mark
I would probably go for solid colour as well, rather than it being over white.
Mark
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Elanintheforest - Coveted Fifth Gear
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i'll second Orange, i have a 130 in orange and silver and when buying was only looking for Orange, lime green or purple. At the time it seemed to attract a premium due to the rarer colour, there were lots of white, reds and yellows to choose from. I think the ones the have "hung around have more to do with the individual car rather than the colour.
IF EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE GOING WELL, YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY OVERLOOKED
SOMETHING.
SOMETHING.
- Apx
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Nice choice to have ....
[google Images]
[google Images]
1968 Elan plus 2 - project
2007 Elise S2 [modified with a Hethel 70th sticker (yellow)]
2000 Elise S1 - Sold
2007 Elise S2 [modified with a Hethel 70th sticker (yellow)]
2000 Elise S1 - Sold
- wotsisname
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I must be the only person who likes the Sprint in Tawny over White and that's not because my Elan left the factory in that colour - I liked it when it first came out in 1972 and felt it gave the Elan a touch of class.
Given that you have already moved away from originality with the Spyder chassis then I don't see a problem with having the personal colour of your choice. The iconic red over white combo will always be a favourite with most. Personally I love colorado over white so would go with that if it was me. There are some colours that don't work on the Elan but you are safe with orange. Good luck, Jim.
Given that you have already moved away from originality with the Spyder chassis then I don't see a problem with having the personal colour of your choice. The iconic red over white combo will always be a favourite with most. Personally I love colorado over white so would go with that if it was me. There are some colours that don't work on the Elan but you are safe with orange. Good luck, Jim.
- JimE
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George, one more thought to muddy the water!
It is always good to see S4 Sprints in their eye catching promotional livery. However, many Sprints we are told, left the factory in single colours. So Sprint owners have an additional choice of either staying with the two tone Sprint colour schemes that some suggest detracts from the Elan's form, or go for a single colour that some of us believe is more sympathetic to the Elan's fine shape. As for my two Elan S4SEs, I have stuck with their original Royal Blue and British Racing Green respectively, and not been tempted to replicate the Sprints colourful livery!
It is always good to see S4 Sprints in their eye catching promotional livery. However, many Sprints we are told, left the factory in single colours. So Sprint owners have an additional choice of either staying with the two tone Sprint colour schemes that some suggest detracts from the Elan's form, or go for a single colour that some of us believe is more sympathetic to the Elan's fine shape. As for my two Elan S4SEs, I have stuck with their original Royal Blue and British Racing Green respectively, and not been tempted to replicate the Sprints colourful livery!
- HAIRY
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