Opinions - Original paint or not?

[aerocrosby]

Just bought a really nice California '72 911T Targa. No rust issues, never hit, perfect gaps, 911S appearance group, leather, all original numbers, WORKING FACTORY A/C, etc, etc. I've started a complete refurbishing. Only problem - it's Sepia Brown. When I paint it, would I be stupid to change to either Ivory or Light Yellow or some other color or, for originality's sake and future value, keep it Brown? Any or all opinions would be appreciated!

[GothingNC]

It's your car so I'll leave it up to you.

Paint it any color you like if you plan to keep it, repaint it the original Brown if your concerned about resale.

Color change will be a lot more work.

[Jay H]

As John says, it's your car and your money...

However, in what condition is the original paint?

Before painting, you may want to have a professional detailer take a look at that paint to see if it can be brought back.

I took this:



and made it into this with a bit of elbow grease:



Other than the front hood that was too damaged, that's still original paint on my brown 911...

If it was me, I'd do everything possible to keep that original paint... Your car will be worth more with it's original paint, even if it's brown! Nothin' wrong with brown!!

[Type911]

Stay around brown.

I'd keep it original, it will be easier & you will be better off in the long run. You might try having a prof. painter color sand the car.
In some cases the results depending on how far gone the paint is are quite remarkable.

Jay, nice transformation on the SC, only one thing left to do
lower it !

[Jay H]

Originally posted by Type911
Jay, nice transformation on the Carrera, only one thing left to do
lower it !

As you wish!



(after my mechanic dropped the car a bit...)

(and yes, this pic was taken after the first pic and more rubbing!)

[coldstart]

No offense to my Sepia brothers, you should paint the car the color you want it. I completely understand if sepia brown isn't your first, second or third choice.

A good repaint in a correct period color will not effect resale value. There is/was an original owner (his dad and then him) selling an original sepia longhood coupe in very good/excellent condition and he couldn't sell it for $30K. People's tastes in colors change and brown hasn't been popular in ages and never will be in some groups. My 72 targa was an original black car and I only wanted a black or blue longhood targa (even though I almost fell in love with a sweet white one but it failed the PPI)

Best of luck and I hope I didn't offend my Sepia friends as I love all Porsches of any color.

[rw229]

WOW! That really cleaned up well!

Small world story... I considered buying that car when it was for sale in MD as originally pictured. It was a good deal, but I passed as I really didn't need another project. Another forum member and I traded notes and he ended up buying it. Now I see it's made it's way to WI.

Great work and beautiful car.

Originally posted by Jay H
As John says, it's your car and your money...

However, in what condition is the original paint?

Before painting, you may want to have a professional detailer take a look at that paint to see if it can be brought back.

I took this:



and made it into this with a bit of elbow grease:



Other than the front hood that was too damaged, that's still original paint on my brown 911...

If it was me, I'd do everything possible to keep that original paint... Your car will be worth more with it's original paint, even if it's brown! Nothin' wrong with brown!!

[snbush67]

I think you should keep it original, I like brown I bet it looks great on your Targa.

[Type911]

Jay,
Much better Is that a Monty sticking out the back?

[Type911]

Originally posted by snbush67
I think you should keep it original, I like brown I bet it looks great on your Targa.

Here is a 73 Sepia brown Targa. Brown is not one of my favorites, but on the right car (Jay's & this S) I'll admit it looks pretty good !
Tres seventies

[Jay H]

Originally posted by Type911
Jay,
Much better Is that a Monty sticking out the back?

That is a Dansk Sport muffler stickin' out back. I'm not a fan of aftermarket exhaust, but that muffler with a Euro pre-muff really sounds great.

[Jay H]

I'll add another comment about brown 911's. I HATED brown. I told myself I'd never buy a brown car, much less a brown 911. Very '70's.

Well, fast forward and here I am with a brown 911. I've really grown to like it. I have a steel blue (Baltic Blue is the factory name) 964 and that gets very little attention. With my brown Carrera, I get more comments and attention from this car than I ever have with the 964. No one mistakes it for a new Porsche since the color will instantly date it as a '70's car (though it's an '84). You get lots of 'nods of approval' from people that probably think "that's a nice 30 year old Porsche".

It's been a pretty positive color if you like the "he's driving a classic car" comments.

I've got a two tone brown and Cashmere interior and that helps lighten/brighten the car just a bit too...

[Jay H]

Originally posted by coldstart
There is/was an original owner (his dad and then him) selling an original sepia longhood coupe in very good/excellent condition and he couldn't sell it for $30K. People's tastes in colors change and brown hasn't been popular in ages and never will be in some groups.

Coldstart:

I remember that long hood for sale that you mention. I too agree that the color probably was affecting that car. Though, there were some issues (like that ratty carpet) that probably hindered that car along with the relatively steep price tag (though that is probably debateable in this market right now) for a car that probably needed a few things.

Recently, there was a Sepia brown 1973 T in Chicago for sale for MONTHS. I think it finally sold in December after being for sale for at least a year. It was a beautiful car for only $16k. It too was Sepia. I always wanted to go look at it, but it was just a bit out of range to waste most of a Saturday driving down to Chicago to look at it. It's hard to tell if there was a mechanical condition that was affecting the sale of that car or if it just was the brown color.

Hopefully I'm not pulling this thread too OT with my rambling...

Jay

[tebe1]

Itīs your car an so itīs up to you !

But, in my opinion, it would be nice to stay with the original paint, even if it isnīt perfect.

For the value itīs the best do nothing then to give it to a detailer.

A 34 year old car might have patina, and whenever you want to sell, itīs the best to keep the car absolutly original.

But , thats only my personal opinion.

Tom