I have a '72 SS 454 "W" Code Coupe that I'm going to restore and sell. (I do not plan on keeping) I want it to sell as soon as possible. The car is originally a 63 B with black buckets auto with console. 63 B (Gold) is not my favorite color. My question is from a resale and value stand point should I paint it back it's original color or change it to a more desirable or resaleable color? Keeping it an original '72 color. Any suggestions and why on color would be greatly appreciated.

Trust me on this one, if it's for resale, go with a good color like black, red or Mulsanne Blue. I know that although my convertible was a very high 900 point car, it would have brought more money at the auction if it was a good color combo. Like Mike Carlton says, green is the kiss of death. IMO, so is gold, brown, silver, etc....

Unfortunately, Dave is right on the whole color thing.:(

I really like gold, it is my favorite Chevelle color (aside from burnished brown:D). I have a 71 Monte that is factory Mulsanne Blue and it is a very nice color also.

Whatever you decide to do, please don't paint it red...

I have a '72 SS 454 "W" Code Coupe that I'm going to restore and sell. (I do not plan on keeping) I want it to sell as soon as possible. The car is originally a 63 B with black buckets auto with console. 63 B (Gold) is not my favorite color. My question is from a resale and value stand point should I paint it back it's original color or change it to a more desirable or resaleable color? Keeping it an original '72 color. Any suggestions and why on color would be greatly appreciated.

Go "orange flame" It's a sweet color! :yes:

Whatever you do, don't paint it black, red, or blue.
Kidding.
Black, red, and blue are the most common because, well......they are beautiful.
I like all three and if in the market would look for a car in one of those colors.
So do many other buyers.
Blue seems to be the most common at shows these days but doesn't get the stigma that red does. I love red and get tired of hearing the "resale red" comments.
I painted mine red because "I" wanted a red chevelle and it is not for sale.
How can anyone not appreciate a red, black, or nice blue car.
I do like original color IF the car has the original born with drivetrain.
You will get many opinions. Fact is that you want to sell the car.

Joe- You know how much I like Blue- BUT I saw a 1970 Autumn Gold SS convertible with black top, stripes and interior that sold this weekend @ Mecum in K.C. MO. and it was gorgeous. It was lot S79 and you can see it on the Mecum Auction site. I liked it almost as much as ol' Blue and you don't see it very often. IMHO a documented car should be painted the original color.

If you want to sell it quick, like you say, I think you already know the real answer.

By the way in 1972, black would not be an original Chevelle color.


Mike

If I was going to keep it I would have to paint it back the original color. But since I'm looking to turn it quickly and I don't have the original drive train, I want to make it as appealing as possible. I'm kinda leaning in the Blue direction. (You know I like Blue)
Bills inspiration car is awesome:
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/71_Chevelle.jpg

Thanks everyone for your replies and comments.

Black or Red with no vinyl top will get you the quickest sale and the highest dollar as it appeals to the widest market possible.

I forget about the original drive train being gone. SOOOOOOOOO, in that case I agree with you, GO Blue with White top, interior & stripes. You know that's what I am looking for.

Why not sell it as is and let the new owner decide? :)

They do not call it resale red for nothing. :D

You might consider Silver/black. In the last few years Silver has been the number one color choice for newer cars.

Looks like it's just about split as far as keeping the original color or not.....
Red seems to be pulling ahead a little in the not catagory.

Nothing beats a blue 72. But why not sell it as is and let the new owner decide. How much of a project is it?

Looks like it's just about split as far as keeping the original color or not.....
Red seems to be pulling ahead a little in the not catagory.


Just keep it original IMO. but it truly depends on the buyer. My cars originally orange flame but when I bought it it was a werid orange called "maximi orange" or i think "persimmon"

I am saving up a ton of money to make it right, thank god it's pretty darn close. If my car is originally a certain color and now it's a resale color...I might be despondent.

Idk it's up in the air. If it's a w code...i'd probably keep it original color.

Nothing beats a blue 72. But why not sell it as is and let the new owner decide. How much of a project is it?

Its an easy fix. Couple of qtrs and maybe outer wheel wells. I just enjoy doing the work myself. It would be easier to just sell it like it is but look at all the fun I would miss.

Just keep it original IMO. but it truly depends on the buyer. My cars originally orange flame but when I bought it it was a werid orange called "maximi orange" or i think "persimmon"

I am saving up a ton of money to make it right, thank god it's pretty darn close. If my car is originally a certain color and now it's a resale color...I might be despondent.

Idk it's up in the air. If it's a w code...i'd probably keep it original color.

I hear ya Alek, If I were going to keep it I would definitely keep the original color but I want to be able to move it asap.
I love the Flame Orange color. My brother and I also have a "W" Code HT that is Flame Orange and White. My brother is going to keep it because it is a cool car with a cool color combo.

You might consider Silver/black. In the last few years Silver has been the number one color choice for newer cars. I had a Silver/black 72 SS Chevelle back in the early 1990's I drove it for about a year and put it up for sale. It was only for sale 60 days and sold for my asking price.

I also like to keep cars original but when it comes to resale the greens, gold’s, browns, whites and silvers do not compare to red or black. Hugger orange in some cases does very well, blue does ok but still not as good as red or black. We are talking resale so if it is a desirable car and you paint it a popular color it will collect more buyers. If the purest wants the car he will not get to ding the price as bad because of no interest due to an unpopular color. I have watched quite a few cars that are very clean and cannot even get a decent bid because of color. Even if the car is 98% original you will not leave as much money on the table do to an unpopular color change. In this economy you have to pull out all the stops.
Best of luck with your car
Nelson

PS; I am not picking on supposed unpopular colors as my convertible is green with green interior and black top and is 98% original. It will not be going back to those colors and I do like the green exterior color. I do not plan on selling my car but if I decide to move on I am not going to take a big hit on the price do to it being green.

Seems like when most "buyers" are looking at a car, they focus on the faults, to validate a lower offer. The more a car is "numbers correct", then the preceived value is more. Since your car is missing so many of the matching parts, the hardcore enthusiast/collector will probably have little interest. If you are truly just interested in turning the car, my preference in paint is blue, similar to the Corvette marina blue.

I will also have to agree with painting it a "sellable color." I recently sold my numbers matching Mohave Gold '72. Although I really liked the original color, it was a real hinderance to me when it came time to sell. I could have made more cash, and had more interesed buyers if it was a more popular color. :yes:

I'll through this in the mix
I love the look of a red chevelle, but after owning a red car
I'd never buy one..
they call it resale red cause it catches your eyes
it's also called arrest me red because it catches the cops eyes also..
and the latter is why i'll never have another car in bright red..
good luck..
red =cops
black=hell to keep clean
blue= awesome.. ;)

IMHO a documented car should be painted the original color.


That's what I was thinking.

If the engine is the original, numbers matching LS5, then the car should be painted the original color.
If it's an aftermarket engine, then paint it whatever color you like.

Regards,
-Greg

If it were a numbers matching car. I would say paint it the original color. But since its not, reds, blues and silvers seem to be the nicest looking colors to buyers out there.

If you really want to sell, ASAP, then why go through the hassle and expense of body and paint?

Just thinking that MANY people are focused on "quality", and without the original drivetrain, most buyers will probably be looking for either a "deal", or a quality piece (no matter what color)... Can you do "quality" quickly, and for little investment???

What I'd be thinking IF I were looking: Good possibility that anyone buying this for the "W" code (willing to pay more for that "W") is going to want the original color. And ANY color besides correct, with a fresh paint job to boot, is going to look like it was only done for resale (therefore flags go up, "buyer beware", etc)...


Oops... I only voted 'yes", I forgot to vote "Gold"...

Silver is one of the top choices today. Silver cars sell like crazy. Silver with black stripes is the most popular.