I have a 1970 SS 396 that is all number matching with a built sheet that is about 60% intact. The alt, carb, exhaust, ac all of the numbers are correct even the spark plug wires. I bought it complete and have started the restoration. I'm taking it completely apart and am going do it as a Sunday driver/show car.

The problem I'm having is the original color, it's gold metallic with black stripes with light brown interior. My wife and I would like to go maroon with white or black stripes with black interior or blue metallic with black or white stripes and black or white interior.

My question is, if I keep every thing original but change the exterior and interior colors how big of a hit do you think I will take if I want to sell it in the future?

Value is only determined if it is sold. Up until that point it is only personal opinion. The answer will be different from almost everyone you ask. I will individualize it from my perspective.

If this car was for sale in its original colors I would never give it any consideration as a long term keeper. I personally do not like the color combo and unless I could buy it buy it cheap enough to flip at a profit I would not be interested.

I think the question really has to be answered by you. If you are building this car to enjoy long term you will probably never be satisfied with it in any color other than what you and your wife want. How much is that worth?

If you are really worried about value I would stop work on the car now and sell it. This would let the next guy make the decision. Otherwise build the car the way that makes you the happiest the money will take care care of itself down the road. If you do a great job on the build it may not make any difference.

Jon, this is a hard question to answer. Most will say to keep the car as original as possible, including the colors, yet color combos like these sometimes struggle when it comes time to sell. If you plan on keeping the car for a while and enjoying it, I'd lean more towards using better colors that you'll like. I personnally would hate to do all that work and end up with a car I didn't like. It's your time and money. Concentrate on a good quality resto and the rest will take care of itself. It's a damned if you do or damned if you don't situation. Good luck with your decision.

I think the biggest question here will be for the op. How long is he looking to have it? If its an issue of fixing it up just to sell it, I agree with Bunz-T to just stop now and sell so you can find what you really want. If you are wanting to keep this car for a fair amount of time, I'd say go with what makes you (and your wife) happy.

Again, just my opinion, but if you are concerned about resale, don't start a restoration. I only know of a very few people who restored a show worthy car and didn't have more in it than it was worth. Sell it as is and buy what you like. Otherwise do it the way you want it and enjoy it.

Another viewpoint: You can always change the color and change it back. It would be more difficult and expensive to remove the traces of the intermediate color, but it would then be "restored to the original color" and such.

Someone else noted the point that a really nice numbers matching car in an unpopular color combination will be harder to sell, or bring less than the same car in a more popular car. I think there is a lot in this concept. Example, I once had the chance to buy a very nice 70 GTO for $800. Complete, running, driving, etc, just another used car at the time. It was green with a yukky (to me) pea soup/puke green interior, so I passed. Wish I had had more foresight, it would now be a black on black GTO worth millions!

Jon, you answered your own question with "60% intact". Different color would just make it 55% intact. Now 100% intact would be a different answer.

Ron I was going to mention color change as being only a $10K redo but overcoming the interior color just compounded the situation. These colors kinda put you in an either / or position.

Change it but use a correct color for 1970. Won't hurt the value because the original color combination it came with would already be the deduction. A more popular color will also increase the speed in which it sells down the road. If you spend all that time and money restoring a car and don't like the color, you are not going to be happy. So do it your way.

Jon, you answered your own question with "60% intact". Different color would just make it 55% intact. Now 100% intact would be a different answer.


The car is 100% intact the only thing that is not complete is the build sheet because it was above the gas tank.

Thanks for all the input. If anyone wants to trade, I might be interested. I like convertibles for 66, 67 and 70, 71.

You really can't answer this question. It sounds like your wife has an interest in the car. Seize the moment and make it what the the 2 of you want. That is a great combo from the factory but for every color combination out there someone will like it. Do a quality job on the restoration and worry about selling it later. Otherwise sell it now and just try to find one for sale to your liking.

Change it but use a correct color for 1970.
1970 Astro blue (or) 1966 Marina blue w/white stripes and white interior is a nice color combo ......

Don't paint the stripes black if you go with blackcherry. You couldn't get black stripes with that color. You need to have white. Same with fathom blue. White stripes only.

I have a friend who is changing his 70 SS from fathom blue to black. He isn't too popular with some people, but it's his choice. He has a 69 RS Z28 that was green at one time and is now also black. He also has owned a 70 RS Z28 that was black for 20 years and he finally restored it back to the original Daytona Yellow. Now he wishes he'd left it black. I think he likes black.

Just stay with the factory colors offered and it'll be fine.