'73 911E: Lose the Sepia Brown or Not???

[justacoupe]

Right now, I'm working on restoring our 356C Coupe, which we've owned since 1975. Although I had once considered a change of the original paint color (Irish Green), prices for restored C coupes have been climbing, and we decided to stick with the original paint.

Now for the 911 content: we are original owners of a '73 911E, 65,000 miles. It is my next project. The car is all original and unmolested as it sits, but it has been sitting for a long time (e.g. since 1982, inside heated storage). So, lots of mechanical work to be done. Although the paint is original, it is showing its age and we'd like to repaint.

There's one "big" issue with the car: it is Sepia Brown. Sure, it is a fairly "rare" color for early 911's, but there's a good reason for that. Sepia Brown is "butt ugly" to most people and some describe it as "baby poop" brown. Can't say I can argue with them, although I've grown accustomed to it more or less.

So, for all these years, thinking about finally restoring her once I retired (which I just did), I've always assumed I'd change the color to something more attractive: maybe silver or some other color. And, until recently, I always felt that going to a more popular color would actually enhance the value of the car since the original color is so unpopular.

So, what happens? People start paying real money for these early cars and all of a sudden I'm thinking I "need" to stick with the original. So, what I'd like some input on is this: is sticking to the original color that important as far as resale goes? Or, since original in this case is Sepia Brown, is this an exception and another color would still be a plus?

Bill
Grand Rapids, MI

[poorsha]

My boss (at the time) had a 73E in Sepia back in 1975.
I loved the car.
I loved the color.
I still love it and would personally repaint it the original color.
I am certain you will renew your affection for the color when it is new (fresh poop is always better than old poop).

[the]

At this time, for the prices these cars are getting, and the need for originality, I'd say keep the '73E Sepia.

Valuewise, it will be harder to sell, but you only need to find one buyer. And while there aren't many, there are a few freaks who will pay full market value for a Sepia car.

[175K911]

Sepia on an early car is one of my favorite colors. Keep it.

[kilodawg]

Tough call...Ultimately it's your decision on what you want from the car and what your eventual plans are for it. My '73T was originally Sepia but changed by the PO to a light Ivory, not original but with a touch of green something like elfenbein I believe.
Anyway, I got to compare it to a Sepia car at Rennsport last weekend and as an owner I'm glad it's not Sepia. Though I'll admit I would have picked either Viper Green or Tangerine.

[Rich Lambert]

I think it all depends on what your plans are for the car once it's done. If you're going to keep it and don't like brown, why paint it brown? If you're going to sell it, originality might be a plus, even on a Sepia car. I've heard that people eventually grow to like their brown 911's. Personally, not me. There's a reason there aren't many Sepia 911's.

There are so many great 911 colors, like tangerine (I love that color on a LWB coupe), any of the yellows, light ivory (my personal SWB favorite), or black...black is cool.

I vote change the color.

kilodawg, nice car!

[C4 Pazzo]

How badly does it need to be painted? Some people appreciate an original car, with the original paint, especially on a low mileage car like yours. It could be worth more as is, than with any new paint.

[tcar]

If you're going to change the color, you should do it right, pull the engine, interior, etc. Paint everything.

I think keeping the sepia will make it more valuable.

[RSBob]

+1 with Rich. If you plan on keeping the car indefinitely, then by all means change the color to something you like. On the other hand, if you are only planning on keeping it for a couple years or so, keep it original.

Another consideration, is that you will have far more buyers for a popular color like an orange or silver than Sephia (but as stated above - it only takes one), and may actually command higher dollar (or break even) figure for a popular color than for a correct Sephia.

I owned a Sephia 72T targa. I polished it until it as like a mirror and after 3 years still never cared for the color and at the time couldn't afford to change the color, so I unloaded it.

There will always be a loyal following for what ever color there is, but unless you really like the color or are planning on selling it relatively soon, I would go ahead and change it. Sephia is not a desirable collector color.

[MOMO3.2]

Sepia Brown is one of the BEST early 911 colors. You would be a fool to change it IMO.

Mike

[donstevens]

I am all for originality. Even if it is is baby ***** brown.

[RSBob]

Good one Don, LMAO!

[jwernquist]

You've owned the car almost since new, So I would imagine you will be keeping it as long as physically possible, Paint it the color you want. Who cares if it's original or not as long as it's your car and you love the new color go for it!!! .. If you for a second think that you might want to sell the car sometime in the future while the early longhood craze is on, keep it all original. You could probably get more money for it now in it's current condition then you probably would believe.

You've owned it long enough with the Baby poop brown (Which I Actually Like) but nothing beats a Tangerine , Kelly Green, Gulf Blue. It's your car do what will make you happy!!!

[oregonmon]

If I remember what Sepia looks like, keep it. It's awesome. Someone post a pic of Sepia brown so we all know what we're talking about.

[Soterik]

Change the color.... you've mentioned valuations, and there's not doubt that a well executed color change will be worth more than a Sepia coupe, and will have a larger market as well. From the personal angle I would change the color as well..... you've lived with it this long, why not make it "fresh" to you as well.

E

[zotman72]

My '72 coupe was sepia brown (aka baby poo brown). It needed a paint job, as it was crazed and cracked. I had it media blasted and did the body work. Now it is gulf blue using glassrit paint. No regrets and I never (well maybe never) intend to sell it. You have to please yourself first. YMMV

[boxster03]

Post a picture for a better idea of original paint condition.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

+1 for paint it how you want it, not how someone one else may want it, someday.

I made the same decision recently with my 69E. It's silver over black. Instead of keeping it original, and therefore maximize value, I'm painting exactly the way I want it:

Light Ivory hood, cowl, roof, decklid, cookie cutters
Aga Blue everything else.

My inspiration (photoshopped), but will keep it narrow and no stickers.

[onboost]

Dude.. go for the Sepia... it's purdy when its nice.

Check out the "show us your Turbo" thread or something like that over on the 930 Turbo & supercharging forum... there is a Sepia Turbo on there that is just plain sexy!

Good Luck!

[210bhp]

Regards
Mike