911 Colors

[GeorgeM]

I have noticed in many posts, most recently in the appraisal threads, that there is an overriding opinion that black and red are the best colors for resale. Do you folks think that these are the best colors for a 911?

I've also read many comments that white was one of the least popular colors. Why is white so unappreciated? You can't say it's any harder to keep clean that black.

I'm also curious how important color was in the purchase of your used 911. If you wanted a red or black one, you obviously had more cars to choose from (I assume they made more of these from the comments I've read, at least in the '80s). Although when I look around at track events, I can't say that there are more red or black 911s than other colors. Do a smaller percentage of red and black 911 owners drive their cars on the track?

I would guess that there are a good number of 911 owners out there, like me, that knew what colors they didn't want, then shopped accordingly (you're suckin' if you're looking for a non-red or black '80s 930, trust me, I've been looking). How successful were you in finding an acceptable color and/or was it the color you were looking for?

[k9handler]

not in my opinion...yellow is the best!

Speed Yellow or Fly Yellow, although my car is Sahara Beige.

[skinnerd]

There were a couple of colors I didn't want.... red and black were two of these. So guess what, I ended up with a red 73E. It didn't take long before that red 73E was looking more like a viper green RS replica. I really dig those wild early seventies colors.... the more unusual, the better. White makes a good race car color (cooler in the heat of the day), but I've seen many red track/race cars. Red and black are just too "ho hum" for me (sorry guys).

George, there will be that right colored 930 out there for you.... just hang in there.... it'll be worth it when you finally find it.

[JeffW]

I bought a white car and I wish I didn't. Biggest problem being that the interior is marron and that color goes with nothing but white and maybe black. So since I want a blue car I'm going to have to change the interior to Tan or Black.

I think Silver and the silver looking colors are good p-car colors also.

[feelyx]

I'm dedicated to the silver metalic with lobster red interior.. took over a year to find one. Keep looking your color is out there

Tim in Sac

[Toga82sc]

What about Chiffon?

Toga82sc

[GeorgeM]

My '89 Coupe is dark green metallic. Can't say I was looking for that color. Honestly, I didn't even know it was an option for that year.

Tim, I'm with ya, silver is a classic 911 color and one of my favorites. Unfortunately, the only silver 930s I've seen are '78-'79 models. I have my sights on an '89 with the G50. Although, with the luck I'm having, I might end up with an '87 or '88 and transplant the 5 speed. I found a decent white one with a burgundy interior, but along with JeffW's thoughts, not exactly my first choice of color combos (a tan interior and it would have been sold).

Doug, I have one thing to say about your RS replica... HOT. That is a perfect color for that car. Good on ya.

[john_colasante]

Personnaly I like all of the weird 70's jellybean colors best. I don't particularly care for metallics.

[RoninLB]

IMO it's a mechanical consideration on a street 911...metalic is PIA to blend...red brings tickets..personally if the color attracts/stands out in traffic I don't need it..my personal fav. is flat black..............Ron

[speeder]

Color is real important to me, not just in cars. I have done a lot of renovation/painting of old houses, the right color(s) can make the difference between ugly/yawn/beautiful. Same with cars, IMO.

I would have to say that color was a HUGE factor in the car I bought, I've always liked Slate Blue. Always liked 911 coupes in Porsche's various blue/grey metallics. Also wasn't interested in common colors, w/ exception of black if car is near-perfect.

When I sold new Porsches in the mid/late 80's, we only got a few new 911s a month, my boss always had them built in Red or Black. (Almost always). These were easiest to sell, and it was like having every color in stock; you could always trade a Red or Black to another dealer for any unusual color, not the reverse.

As for White, I like it on early cars if they are super-clean, on impact-bumper cars it is probably least expensive-looking color, IMO. And many other people's. But of course there are people who feel differently, that's what makes life a horserace, as my old man used to say.

[skinnerd]

George:
I actually like the color of your car a lot (forest green metallic).... and the interior (shown below) is killer! Always have liked the "black & tan" look. Very clean and functional. Wished either of my cars were as nice inside.

[dickster]

the reds and whites were the '80's colours. they're no longer popular colours over here!

i'm not keen on either. i wanted a dark "understated" colour when i was looking - i'm pleased with moss green!

you can't be too choosy though, those interiors came in all kinds of whacky combos and colours.

my fav. is dark blue body with havana tan leather interior......

george that search for a 930 sounds interesting, gonna trade that 3.2 for one?

[Paul Valcourt]

I have to go with Doug on this one, BTW nice choice of colors. I bought my 911 because it was a targa not because of the orange/red color it was. Soon as I was able to, I changed it back to the original lime green, I think it looks quite sharp now.

[cegerer]

The color statistics on the 73 Carrera RS:

1. GP White with either blue,red,green graphics (450)
2. Light Yellow (296)
3. Light Ivory (160)
4. Tangerine (Porsche originally intended on making ALL RS's this color) (126)
5. Signal Yellow (87)
6. Viper Green (79)
7. Black (62)
8. Dalmatian Blue (55)
9. Bahia Red (42)
10. India Red (30)
11. Gulf Orange (25)
12. Chartreuse (23)
13. Sepia Brown (19)
14. Gulf Blue (18)
15. Lilac!! (16)
16. Glacier Blue (16)
17. Aubergine (16)
18. Special Order Colors (15)
19. Irish Green (12)
20. Light Green (11)
21. White with no graphics (7)
22. Signal Orange (5)
23. Olive (4)
24. Raspberry (4)
25. Leaf Green (2)

There were no metallic colors because no satisfactory process was available to paint fiberglass with metallic paint yet (despite the fact that this was over 3 years after we landed on the moon?!) -- Curt

Hi George. I think red was/is popular because it looks like rolling ego.



I was open to a lot of different colors when looking for mine. The right one just happened to be red. Haven't looked back. I do like the green on yours. Not many like it.
Mark

(He's not the Messiah...He's a very naughty boy)

[GeorgeM]

Great inputs guys. Where the heck did you get all those color stats Curt? Nice work.

Denis, you mentioned white as not-so-much on the later bumper cars. I think it might be too much contrast between the white and the black rubber and trim, which is exacerbated by the black stoneguard (sharkfin). Do you think having blacked out Fuchs on such a car instead of white color keyed makes this contrast less of a factor? The 930 I was looking at had the white Fuchs centers and I couldn't decide if it was a positive or negative feature.

Thanks for the comments Doug. I've never had someone else post a picture of my car. That's quite a compliment. The black and tan look I have is more of a Harp/Guiness combo rather than Bass/Guiness, or is that just the american version of a B&T... Dickster?

Nice ducktail Mark. If your car looks half as good in person as it does in that photo, I may be converted to red after all.

Actually Dickster, the plan was to keep this car in addition to the 930 (largely dependent on our decision whether or not to remain DINKs). My move to Stuttgart has put my 930 search on hold for a while... but I'm always looking.

[cegerer]

The color stats are from the book "Carrera RS". It's also interesting to note that white is the 'official' racing color of Germany, although German cars are probably better known for silver. -- Curt

[billwagnon]

I wanted to avoid red for the same reason as avoiding impact bumpers - it's too cliched!

However, when he saw my car my dad said he would repaint it red...

[Ivan G]

In my opinion, black and red look great in the Coupe while White look far to plain.

However, with the Targa, White looks great as you get the nice contrast with the black Targa roof

[Bill Douglas]

is cool.