I recently bought a 72 Chevelle, 350 auto, bucket seats with console. It has recently been repainted the original factory color Flame Orange Poly. However, the repaint is not great and it needs to be redone.

My question is whether it's a good idea to change color schemes. I am in the process of adding an SS hood and stripes to enhance the looks of the car. I'm not a big fan of the Flame Orange color and would prefer to have the car be a silver color with black stripes. However, I don't want to do anything that will dramatically decrease the value of the car. If I change the paint from the original color, how much of a negative impact will that have on the value of the car? Or, since I am adding stripes anyway (which were not originally on the car), does it really matter (car value wise) if I change the whole color?

Any input and opinions will be greatly appreciated.

If you dont like the color, then change it!! its your car after all!! I have a 68, and mine is painted Pearl White off of a 96 caddy i believe, with black stripes, and it looks great. It gives you a white and a silver look, depending on the light. Heres a link to show you. Good luck with your paint and with your car in general.

Pictures (http://community.webshots.com/album/145605965YRCkTv)

Personally I had no second thoughts about ditching my factory brown/copper metallic color for some 1996 Corvette blue w/ Alpine white stripes

Noone really cares about a 70-72 malibu being original in my experience.

My car is a 100% SS clone that looks, drives, and is overall a better car than it could be original. Different paint, different suspension, different color interior, buckets and console instead of bench/column, Pioneer CD player, full sound system, ect ect ect...point is minus cruise control it has the benefits of a newer car but the style of an older one. Plus the best part is the money I have in my car is about 1/3 the price of a new car and I could get more for my car than I have in it easily.

I drive it everyday and constantly make 600 mile round trips to college at least once a month.

If you bought the car because your intention is to eventually sell it, then there is an argument to keep it the original color. Some serious buyers want originality first and foremost.

However for my wife and I, her Chevelle is all original because we looked for the right color, but my '69 Mustang was "New Lime" and is now "Candyapple Red". Paint it so that it makes you happy to drive it!! You can always repaint it later if you want, and like you said the car didn't have stripes originally anyway. Since you're going away from original, go all the way.

What a coincidence,I have a 72 malibu that is orange flame too.I have changed it from a 350, auto,ten bolt rear to a 454 4speed and 12 bolt.I have had the car for 7 years and I have decided to change the color as well.Like everyone says its your car do what makes you happy and change the color. graemlins/beers.gif

You could color sand it down, add your stripes and clear the whole thing again. It would still be orange but you could probably save it without goint to all the trouble of a color change and still have a good paint job.