Hey guys, painting my '70 SS 454 in the future. Would it hurt the value to paint it a combination that did not come from the factory... fathom blue with black stripes?

If so then I will just go with cortez silver / black stripes.

Anything you do that did not come from the factory will hurt the value but if you like the color go for it. Almost every new car out there is silver so I would go with blue. There are few things you can always reverse and paint is one of them.

How much of the value would it hurt? It is an original SS car, but non-numbers matching.

Unless you have some proof that it came with black stripes, it probably came with white stripes or no stripes.

How original is the rest of the car, drivetrain, all under hood parts, interior etc?

Engine not original, interior and dash are original but will be restored. Car was originally a tan/beige color.

Fathom blue with black stripes was never a factory option correct? If not, I was wondering if it hurt the value of a car.

Jay The quality of the build will have more of a factor on the valuation than anything else. If the restoration process is shortchanged the color will just be another piece of the puzzle.

There is probably more forgiveness in repainting brown/tan than any other color. Most cars repainted that color are absolutely correct and documented. If the cars value at a future time is a main concern please prepare yourself for it to bring less than the cost of buying/building it. The market has certainly softened on selling these cars but continues to escalate on building.

First and foremost build it for you now and worry about selling it when the time comes.

Thanks John. I am definitely not going to short change the rebuilding process. I am not looking to sell the car anytime soon either. Just wondering, if on down the road I decided to sell it, would it matter if the paint / racing stripes combo was not an original combo from the factory.

If the car will not be restored to stock configuration, it won't really matter. If you are restoring it to original, then yes it will certainly hurt the value. By how much is unknown but the quality of the restoration will be the key factor since the original engine is gone.

Non stock paint, if done right, won't hurt value much since original engine is missing anyway. I would go with white stripes since Fathom Blue only had white stripes optional regardless of interior or top color.

Exactly what the others said, if it doesn't have the original motor, it's not technically an original ss454. BTW, it isn't the fact that the color combo wasn't available from the factory, it's the fact that the color combo isn't on the trim tag.

I say, go for what ever you like, besides, with the colors you are contemplating, it shouldn't turn away too many buyers! Afterall, you aren't going with some over the top color or paint scheme!:thumbsup:

Stripe color was never noted on the trim tag and one would have to special order black stripes on a Fathom Blue car through the F&SO office. FWIW, Gobi Beige is a pretty color as well. :thumbsup:

Stripe color was never noted on the trim tag and one would have to special order black stripes on a Fathom Blue car through the F&SO office. FWIW, Gobi Beige is a pretty color as well. :thumbsup:

Jay, I agree with Dale. If you haven't seen a Gobi Beige with black stripes, you should. It is sharp.

So what did you end up buying? What was the verdict on the Kentucky car?

If my info is correct Jay bought an Ark. car off info forwarded to him from a member and looked at by a member in that area. The car needs finishing and the local member is going to assist with its construction. He has solid contacts that can get the work done at less cost.

It appears to me Jay is going to get the type car he is looking for, at a stage the BS is not covered up, can build it for himself and bring it in at good value. It is what makes this site great. His patience should be well rewarded.

If this partnership is successfull more people should look at this way to go. The assisting member has some other projects well on their way and what could be better than getting one built for you at real value.

Whats more inportant, driving a car you enjoy and lovig the way it looks or getting $500 or maybe $1000 more when you sell it? Maybe the person who decides to buy it one day will love fathom blue with black stripes and pay more? Dont obsess about it, do what you want with the car. :beers: