To restore in the same colour, or the original?

[lowdrag]

The time has come; the E-type, a faithful servant over more than 30 years and last restored in 1988, is starting to show signs of rust. Not serious, but I am not one for spraying over or throwing filler at a car so she is going to have a bare-metal respray this winter, plus a sympathetic restoration where necessary. New Hoses, new brake lines, general overhaul and a top and bottom end engine refurbish. She came out of the factory in gunmetal grey with red interior, was then changed to red and mustard (the colour when I bought her) and was then completely restored in her current colours, since which she has covered about 90,000 miles. I vacillate from one day to the next - original with new interior or same colour and keep the tatty or "patinated" interior. So I thought it would be interesting to see your opinions and reasons thereto.

[12v3pot]

Worst. Poll. Ever.

[ToneyCaroney]

Series ones never look better than in gunmetal grey / red leather IMO. Absolutely the perfect combination and, in your case, original too.
Nice though opalescent blue is, if you don't mind the cost of the re trim etc, I would go gunmetal all the way.

Good luck with it Lowdrag. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Stuart

[Yertis]

12v3pot said:

Worst. Poll. Ever.

I think it's quite interesting, it's a dilemma I've faced (first world problem obviously) and still not 100% sure I made the right decision. Painted the TR6 in Audi Europablau, a sort of pearlescent dark blue which is a spot on match for Triumph Sapphire blue but has a deeper lustre is subtly metallic. Must people love it but I've had the occasional purist get a bit funny about it.

Sometimes think I should have gone for Triumph Mallard Green which is actually a very nice colour.

[RDMcG]

I would be tempted to go original colour...it just seems faithful to the car. SInce the original interior had been replaced anyway, there is less value in the patinated replacement I would think. The original colour is also one of the most attractive. WIll be interested to hear your decision!.

[vixen1700]

Yertis said:

I think it's quite interesting,

I think he meant it's a bad poll because there are no options to vote, which as a poll, isn't good.

[occrj]

Yep I'd be going for original too.

RJ

[vixen1700]

Yeah, something like an E-Type in Gunmetal with a red leather interior is well worth keeping.

My Vixen started off orange, was red at some point when I bought it and am going with changing to an early '70s TVR/Ford colour of Silver Fox. It's hardly going to affect values or anything.

[SprintSpeciale]

Another one for original.

[Vince70]

Even if Gunmetal wasn't the original finish it would be colour of choice for me and if it was the original colour then there would be no contest.

[12v3pot]

vixen1700 said:

Yertis said:

I think it's quite interesting,

I think he meant it's a bad poll because there are no options to vote, which as a poll, isn't good.

I even pressed the 'Vote' button to see if it'd break the InterWeb.

(I'm also in favour of original, FWIW.

[jith]

Ok lowdrag, to whet your appetite for the original colour, a combination I think is utterly timeless and pure class:-





Hope Dom doesn't mind me showing off his car; it's a beaut!

J

[LordBretSinclair]

Colour is such a personal choice Tony so I think you have to go with whatever colour you really want.

As the car has had a chequered past (colour wise) I don't think the originality question comes into play.

I know if the car was mine I would go for Primrose Yellow exterior with black interior, but that's just me.

Good luck with whatever you chose and keep us updated with photos etc

[Elderly]

Vince70 said:

Even if Gunmetal wasn't the original finish it would be colour of choice for me and if it was the original colour then there would be no contest.

/\ This.

[CDP]

LordBretSinclair said:

Colour is such a personal choice Tony so I think you have to go with whatever colour you really want.

As the car has had a chequered past (colour wise) I don't think the originality question comes into play.

This.

It's already had a colour change and 20 to 30 years into the future it might get another. Choose whatever suits but I must admit the grey car looks stunning. (So does blue).

[MrADC]

Whatever your own preference is would be the answer - you don't strike me as an originality purist bemoaning incorrect Bakelite on the gearknob...

However I had a somewhat similar dilemma with my fiat Dino spider.. Although not a return to the original colour as it was originally Qualcast Lawnmover Flat Green (not the technical name) with brown trim. So I settled on Azzurro Metallizzato after much much deliberation but when I went to say this to my body shop it just seemed to come out as "Rosso Corsa" ...

...which with cognac leather is, in my opinion the best colour combination for these cars in the same way gunmetal and red is obviously the best colour for an etype!

[SV8Predator]

It's a terrific poll.

I voted.

[RDMcG]

Plus,you can get the matching old Corgi toy

[Hooli]

SV8Predator said:

It's a terrific poll.

I voted.

So did I


I like the colours it's in, only because I'm not as keen on a red interior.

[johnfm]

Gun metal and red.

Beautiful car. Want one a lot.