1987 911 -- Dark Blue or Dark Purple?

[ej_glutton]

I recently saw a 87 911 which I was told was "midnight blue". My first reaction when seeing the car was "Wow, is that dark purple?". I looked at the car for several minutes (it was partially shaded by a tree); it seemed purple in the shade & blue in the sun. I'm not sure of the code, so I don't know the exact color. Has this ever happened to anyone else or our my eyes going bad? Thanks.

[jmgin2]

In 1987 there was Dark Blue( 347 K5 ) or Navy Blue( 35V )no such color as midnight blue or any purple color. In fact no carrera 1984-1989 came in mid-night blue (off topic) also carreras never came in Guards Red. Trust me I am looking at all of the factory colors and codes.

J

[preston_brown]

My car is an '87 911. Is this the color you are talking about?

[sig_a]

Could be option paint Marine Blue Metallic that in 1987 cost an extra $770. Very rare and very dark blue that changes in various direct and indirect light. Almost black in shadows. Not flashy, but I'm comfortable with it.

[Nine9six]

Originally posted by sig_a
Could be option paint Marine Blue Metallic that in 1987 cost an extra $770. Very rare and very dark blue that changes in various direct and indirect light. Almost black in shadows. Not flashy, but I'm comfortable with it.

Marine Blue Metallic (paint code L35V) is a very cool color that looks different in shade, sunlight, and overcast days. Anywhere from blue, to black, to a deep purple hue, depending on the lighting.

[MattKellett]

I have Marine Blue, and when the sun hits the car in a certain direction, you can see a purple hue in the blue paint, most times the car looks dark blue, can also go towards black... I love the colour.

Matt

[futureboy]

Originally posted by jmgin2
In 1987 there was Dark Blue( 347 K5 ) or Navy Blue( 35V )no such color as midnight blue or any purple color. In fact no carrera 1984-1989 came in mid-night blue (off topic) also carreras never came in Guards Red. Trust me I am looking at all of the factory colors and codes.

J

jmgin - are you saying that my '87 Carrera Guards Red/Tan interior was not a factory color? Sure looks original to me:

What was the factory code/name for my red Carrera?

[lateapex911]

Colors like that are called "flip flop" colors. Somehow they mix in certain combinations of mica that affect the reflected hue. Often the lower part of the car will appear to be a "warmer" shade, while the upper surfaces have a "cooler" hue to them, as they are reacting to and reflecting the surrounding areas. (warmer ground tones, and bluer sky tones)

And they can look completely different under unusual lighting lie sodium vapor, etc.

[rdrr]

I believe the red used on Carreras was Indishrot/India Red.

I also have a Marine Blue Carrera - love it!

[FastCarFan]

The "Certificate of Authenticity" for my 88 Carrera says "Guards Red". Also, my book "Porsche 911 Red Book 1965-1999" shows Guards Red to be a standard color from 1984 to 1989.

[barndoor]

The Blue that Turns to Purple is "Prussian Blue" and I have an '84 Carrera that is India Red and I have a friend with a Guards Red carrera.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by jmgin2
In 1987 there was Dark Blue( 347 K5 ) or Navy Blue( 35V )no such color as midnight blue or any purple color. In fact no carrera 1984-1989 came in mid-night blue (off topic) also carreras never came in Guards Red. Trust me I am looking at all of the factory colors and codes.

J

Just a bit of misinformation here.

1.) Yes, there was a "Dark Blue" (347), but no "Navy Blue" (35V). That code refers to "Marine Blue Metallic", as discussed.

In addition to the two above, there were a couple other blue shades that were available that year as well:
Venetian Blue Metallic" (35U)
"Diamond Blue Metallic" (697)
"Prussian Blue Metallic" (33X)
"Iris Blue Metallic" (33P)

The latter two being available the previous year, but could have been special ordered for `87.

2.) Yes, "Guards Red" was available as a standard color every year of the Carrera production run (`84-`89).



Here are a couple pics of previously-owned 911's in three of the Blue shades above (sorry for the small/bad pics):

1985 Coupe, Iris Blue (my 1st 911):



1986 Targa, Prussian Blue:




1988 Targa, Marine Blue:

[JeremyD]

and my "Diamond Blue Metallic" (697)



more smoky grey looking in direct sun - it can look blue in the rain - or a little purple tinge in the dark

[ej_glutton]

Wow...thanks for all the great responses/info. Based on the pictures posted vs. the pictures I have of the car I referenced, I'm 99% sure it's Marine Blue. I will likely see the car again on Tuesday (PPI) and will check the code to verify. For those who have the Marine Blue, does it get mistaken for purple ever/very often? I MIGHT become a Marine Blue owner (first time Porsche also) in the next week or so & am reallly curious. Not trying to be a wise-guy or offensive, it's really an honest (& likely stupid) question. Thanks again for all the input.