Opinion on Colour Change

Discuss Bodywork problems here.
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
Post Reply
JGMOTORSPORT
Minor Friendly
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:40 pm
MMOC Member: No

Opinion on Colour Change

Post by JGMOTORSPORT »

Hi All,

I do not want to upset the purists out there, I am currently restoring a 56 split screen and would like the opinion / comments on changing the colour of it, the original colour is clarendon grey after some research the only other colours at the time of registration was black and sandy beige so what do I do??
1) Leave it grey (don't like it) :(
2) Change to black or beige
3) Change to old english white (introduced 1960)

Comments / advice please would be much appreciated

Thanks
John
bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by bmcecosse »

Paint it pink if you like - it's your car!
ImageImage
Image
lambrettalad
Minor Legend
Posts: 2865
Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 3:15 pm
Location: Birmingham THE Second City & home of Aston Villa
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by lambrettalad »

I think black moggies look good ,however it is the most reliant colour on the amount and quality of the prep. White is the most forgiving
Cheers Alex
all thoughts are given in good faith but..." You pays your money and takes your choice"


[/color]
Coalmossian
Minor Fan
Posts: 211
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:09 pm
Location: Near Ellon in rural Aberdeenshire
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by Coalmossian »

Hi,
I know exactly how you feel and the soul-searching that you are going through! A restoration is full of all sorts of decisions, and while you may be a fierce advocate of originality, you also have to live with the end product. I don't know about you, but whatever I undertake, Minor-related project or not, I tend to think long-term.
I have, after having had the car sitting in my barn pretty much stripped to a shell, just started to restore a 1960 Traveller. An amazing vehicle in many respects, as it has a genuine 54K on the clock and still retains its original wood which is in amazing condition! One or two black stains in the wheelarch sections from those damned wing bolt socket things, but otherwise incredibly good! Excellent interior too!
It had been Frilford Grey, which is, in my opinion, pretty dull and unimaginative! When the previous owner had been duped into selling it ( a couple of plausible guys wanting to love and cherish it, who promptly sold off the number plate and gave it a quick "blow over" in Almond Green to help sell it on), it then found its way on to me. That was about 1991!!!
Now I've retired and finally have a wee bit of cash to get the welding work and respray done ( bare metal and pretty much last nut and bolt rebuild!), I was faced with the same dilemma as yourself.
The colours that were appropriate for the date of registration and the darker red interior were; Frilford Grey or Black . Pearl grey was also used with the red seats, but not on Travellers. However, if I pretended it was a couple of months older, Old English White became an option, and that's what I settled on! I have to confess, though, that when Ray Newell's book arrived, there was an affa' bonnie Frilford Grey Traveller shown in it, and I was almost swayed!!
I don't now regret my decision, and have included a couple of pictures ( if they've uploaded!?) of "The Beastie" as she was languishing in my barn a couple of months ago, and the same but with her new clothes on!
Remember! You'll be the one driving her, and had the colours you fancy been available when she was built, then her first owner may well have preferred her in that colour!
Must admit, though, that I don't really fancy bmcecosse's suggestion!!![frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame]
jagnut66
Minor Legend
Posts: 3703
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:28 pm
Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by jagnut66 »

Hi John,
I agree with the statement that it's your car, so you should be free to choose what ever colour you like.
I will also say though that having owned white cars before they do show the dirt really easily.
If you wish to stay true to period and these are your choices then I'd go with black or beige.
Although it would require more careful preparation, a well done black car looks really smart, however beige would probably be more forgiving and perhaps more individual, how many beige examples are there left on the road??.....................

Love the traveller though by the way, cracking job!

Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels, now being sprayed by me, slowly......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine still fitted, wants work, so joins the queue for now......
customjob
Minor Fan
Posts: 198
Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2010 8:55 pm
Location: Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by customjob »

I know Clarenden Grey is not the most inspiring colour, we have a 54 4Dr S 2 in this colour. If records are right for our year there are less than 30 known to be registered in the uk of this year colour and type, maybe that should be something to be considered. However it's your car and it's your choice, O E White I think will look out of place for it's age, as said Black needs a lot of work to look right, Biege or Peat would my choice, but please not Pink.

DAVIDMCCULLOUGH
Minor Legend
Posts: 3010
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:42 pm
Location: Whiteabbey, Co Antrim
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by DAVIDMCCULLOUGH »

Well now as the owner of a clarendon gray traveller, I do actually quite like it but also know what you mean! As to your choices I would go with sandy beige, Ray Newell has a very smart sandy beige van, it really suits the colour and still looks absolutely peroid.[frame]Image[/frame]
i took this at this years National rally


Too many Minors so little time.....
mike.perry
Series MM Registrar
Posts: 10183
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:39 pm
Location: Reading
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by mike.perry »

Colours available on Series IIs in 1956 were Empire Green, Clarendon Grey, Sandy Beige and Black
The give away clue for the anoracks will be the colour code on the chassis number
[sig]3580[/sig]
jagnut66
Minor Legend
Posts: 3703
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:28 pm
Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by jagnut66 »

Empire Green, now there is a nice colour..............
You're getting spoilt for choice now................. :P
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels, now being sprayed by me, slowly......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine still fitted, wants work, so joins the queue for now......
ASL642
Minor Maniac
Posts: 5200
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:14 pm
Location: Worcestershire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by ASL642 »

Just to add to your choice of colours we have a '56 in Dark green (GN12) which is the original colour.

Lou Rocke
MMOC 43512
lambrettalad
Minor Legend
Posts: 2865
Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 3:15 pm
Location: Birmingham THE Second City & home of Aston Villa
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by lambrettalad »

If I was writing a Lady Bird reading book about the fifties I would include a Clarendon Grey car or van 'cause it has that warm ,non threatening feeling generator .If you can understand my meaning :o
Cheers Alex
all thoughts are given in good faith but..." You pays your money and takes your choice"


[/color]
orb596
Minor Fan
Posts: 196
Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:53 pm
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by orb596 »

I agree with bmc eccosse - do it any colour you like.
But do make sure that if you're changing the colour you paint the engine bay and the interior. I've seen so many cars when the body colour has changed but not the engine bay and interior and I think that just looks daft!
Also make sure that you choose the correct colour upholstery to go with whatever colour you finally decide on.

Good luck with it whatever you decide. :D
Laurie Blewer
MMOC member since 1986
Dorset Branch Secretary for ever!!!!
JGMOTORSPORT
Minor Friendly
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:40 pm
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by JGMOTORSPORT »

Many thanks to all for your replys, interesting a few come up with Sandy Beige so will have a look at that one to start with and will give pink a miss this time :lol:
Happy Xmas to you all

Thanks
John
plastic_orange
Minor Legend
Posts: 1405
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 8:34 pm
Location: Broughty Ferry
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by plastic_orange »

Sorry, sandy Beige wouldn't be my first choice - possibly second last before green :D My blue Minor was originally sandy beige a long time ago, and it is still visible under the dash, hence my comment :D
I like most shades of grey, but it's your car, so do as you please - including perhaps a modern varient.


Pete
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/sinky_aps/4e634210.jpg[/img] [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/sinky_aps/MorrisRain4.jpg[/img]
jagnut66
Minor Legend
Posts: 3703
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:28 pm
Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by jagnut66 »

Here's a pink one for you from this years national rally...........
..............well, it's certainly individual............... :lol:
[frame]Image[/frame]
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels, now being sprayed by me, slowly......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine still fitted, wants work, so joins the queue for now......
les
Minor Maniac
Posts: 9206
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2002 12:00 am
Location: kent
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by les »

It's ok if you never want to sell it! :D

lambrettalad
Minor Legend
Posts: 2865
Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 3:15 pm
Location: Birmingham THE Second City & home of Aston Villa
MMOC Member: No

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by lambrettalad »

somebody will love it 8)
Cheers Alex
all thoughts are given in good faith but..." You pays your money and takes your choice"


[/color]
les
Minor Maniac
Posts: 9206
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2002 12:00 am
Location: kent
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Opinion on Colour Change

Post by les »

That's true,---it's just finding them!!

Post Reply