Period Correct Paint Colour?

[KWR56]

I'm considering buying a very solid Minor that's only let down by its paint condition. It's currently in Highway Yellow, but I have my doubts about how original that is. It was first registered in 1967, but I believe that Highway Yellow was only available for a few months from October 1961. So it's either a 1961/62 car on a 1967 plate, or it's had a colour change sometime in the past. I won't know for certain until I've bought it and sent for a Heritage Certificate.

It definitely needs a respray, but in terms of future value, how important is it to paint it in a colour that would have been available in the year of manufacture? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

[geoberni]

Well there's several differences between a 61 and a 67, including lights, wipers and steering wheel.
You're right Highway Yellow was only 61-62.
This website will help you decide which the car is: http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/Identification.htm

Quite honestly, in my opinion, so long as it's not garish, I don't think the paint colour is that important for value. It's more the quality of the work.

[Chief]

I'ts quite possible that if you look at the metal under the dashboard beyond the extent of the footwell carpets that you'll find the metal still in its' original paint colour.

[jagnut66]

Hi,
If you're only interested in future value then you're right, originality is everything.
If you've bought the car because you're an enthusiast, love Morris Minors and want to drive and enjoy it until the day you drop, then it's your car and you should paint it whatever colour you like.
That said there was a good variety of colour choices available in period, so as long as the colour suits both you and the car then it will look good.
As Berni said, it's really down to the quality of the paint finish.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[KWR56]

Thank you for the replies. I'm new to the world of Morris Minors, but not new to classic cars. I wasn't sure how important originality would be.

I've since established that Highway Yellow wasn't the original colour anyway. I now believe it left the factory with Smoke Grey paintwork. However, I've decided that it will be professionally resprayed in Trafalgar Blue which is my choice of colour and will match the existing blue / grey interior. This colour combination wasn't an option when the car was first registered, but was at a later date.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Trafalgar blue available 1963-1971. All black speedometer/key-start cars in other words.

[ManyMinors]

Trafalgar Blue pre-dates the introduction of the black speedo by quite a bit It was a colour option on the last of the 948cc cars from the end of 1961.
I owned an original Trafalgar Blue Minor with the silver speedo, pull switches and banjo steering wheel many years ago. It was paired with the blue/beige duotone interior trim.

[Monty-4]

There do seem to be two shades of Trafalgar blue, or BU37, though? I've come across a lighter and a darker one.

[geoberni]

Trafalgar Blue pre-dates the introduction of the black speedo by quite a bit It was a colour option on the last of the 948cc cars from the end of 1961.
I owned an original Trafalgar Blue Minor with the silver speedo, pull switches and banjo steering wheel many years ago. It was paired with the blue/beige duotone interior trim.

Yes, according to the reference book, i.e. Ray's Original Morris Minor, it was introduced in August 1962, at car 981731, but not used on the Traveller until the 1098 was introduced in 63.

[philipkearney]

There do seem to be two shades of Trafalgar blue, or BU37, though? I've come across a lighter and a darker one.

Yes, there are two shades but confusingly, both with the BU37 code. I can't remember if the early shade was the lighter or darker shade. If anyone wants to paint a full car with trafalgar blue, get enough paint at the outset so it all matches. A second batch may not be the same.

[Monty-4]

My experience suggests later is darker. My car is '68 and darker.

[jagnut66]

At the end of the day you will have a very nice Minor in a fetching shade of Blue that will look something like this:

Abby in the Alley.JPG (1.16 MiB) Viewed 23200 times

Best wishes,
Mike.

[WOLFMAN]

In the early 1980’s I had a Oct.1962 Trafalger Blue Minor and currently have a 1969 / 70 Minor and this one is slightly lighter Trafalger Blue than the first one ( both BU37 )

[Bill_qaz]

In the early 1980’s I had a Oct.1962 Trafalger Blue Minor and currently have a 1969 / 70 Minor and this one is slightly lighter Trafalger Blue than the first one ( both BU37 )

Hi Wolfman did you get my pm?