QOTD: Embracing Your True Colors?

by Steph Willems

Published: May 28th, 2020

In each and every one of us lurks a number of hidden longings. Yours truly, as a child and even later, used to yearn to one day work at the National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Florida.

That clearly didn’t pan out. They probably demand a degree in science-y things, the jerks. Oh well.

Other yearnings aren’t quite so specific, and I think one thing we all share as a diverse population of individuals is the desire for more choice. To express ourselves in one of the dwindling ways that’s still socially acceptable. I’m talking, of course, about color. Paint color.

What got me started on the paint kick, you ask? Obviously, by viewing sumptuous images of the new Lincoln Continental of 1970. It’s my firmly held opinion that the early ’70s were a good time for Lincoln sedan design, and that the switchover to Rolls-Royce-aping formal barge that occurred in the latter part of the decade was a bad thing for the brand.

While we tend to associate these late Nixon-era Lincolns with either black paint or some sort of brown-adjacent earth tone that was popular at the time, it seems that generation offered its buyers more than just the same old, same old. Philandering architects with drinking habits and a 30-footer at the marina could show their secretaries that they were willing to go their own way.

Beige and old mustard aside, it seems there’s few displeasing shades among them.

The latter two Lincolns seen above are seen wearing Red Moondust Metallic and Dark Aqua Blue, by the way…

And then there’s the grayscale-heavy choices we’re left with today. Things seem to be improving in some circles, as reds and blues creep back into common usage, joined in much smaller proportions by green — an elusive shade if there ever was one. Alas, many not-inexpensive models continue to offer consumers a threadbare buffet of paint.

Standing back and taking it all in, what model on sale today would do well with a little more excitement and diversity in its paint department? What shades deserve a chance, and… is the model in question something you’re driving right now?

[Images: Fiat Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, mjcclassiccars.com, topclassiccarsforsale.com]

#Color #Paint #PaintOptions #QOTD #QuestionOfTheDay

Steph Willems

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6 of 55 comments

El scotto on May 28, 2020

Wouldn't trucks and SUV be the 1st vehicles for a two-tone comeback? Also, what happened to pin striping? Haven't seen it on a vehicle in years. I imagine if GM looked really hard, they'd find that warehouse with the hounds-tooth cloth that used to be in Chevys and that brocade cloth that used to be in Caddys.

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- 86er on May 28, 2020
  
  Pinstriping would be great, so I could finally source some for my stellar blue over olympic white '96 Sierra!
  
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- CincyDavid on May 29, 2020
  
  @86er Port Charlotte Honda VW has single tape stripes and clear dooredge guards on everything they lay their hands on...I was in there the other day for an oil change. Cheesy "superstore" with a big phone room to drum up leads, so I probably wouldn't buy from them anyway, but great service dept.
  
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- Flipper35 on May 29, 2020
  
  @86er Or Nissan Rogue has grey pinstripes on grey paint. One of the finance people here has a Grand Caravan with black pinstripes on grey paint. The Rebel and Power Wagon you can get in two tone for years.
  
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Dal20402 on May 29, 2020

I am the wrong person to ask this question. My color choices throughout my entire car-buying history: Maroon Maroon Gray Tan Silver Gray Silver Maroon Gray-green White Silver Gray

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- Nrd515 on May 29, 2020
  
  Mine were: Dark Silver Yellow and black. (Truck) Bright red. Maroon. Maroon and white (Truck) Light blue metallic (Minivan) Bright red over Grey (SUV) Sand (Changes colors in different light, SUV) Bright red. (SUV) Black. (truck) Maroon. (truck) Black. Hemi Orange (Detonator yellow was first pick) TorRed. (Yellow Jacket was first pick) One of these days I'm gonna get the yellow Challenger I've wanted forever.
  
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