Looking for colour codes...

Hello everybody,

I'm an MX-5 enthusiast from Germany and got to your forum by a hint of our local webmaster

You may ask yourself what the hell does a German MX-5 enthusiast want from you?!?

O.k. - here's why: During my vacation at the beautiful Lago di Garda two weeks ago I (or better my car) experienced a hail-storm of an extraordinary quality and quantity

Some 500 or 600 dents are the result...

As I've always been a fan of individuality (I eventually applied stripes on my car wich became a trendsetter

)

I am now thinking of taking the chance to cange my car to something completely different. This only applies to the colouring of the body - not to the body-work!

I got this picture of an GT40 and I'm now looking for the proper colour codes in order to use the proper colouring.

Can anybody help?

Greetz from Germany

MacLeod aka Martin

[ August 20, 2002: Message edited by: MacLeod ]

 

[Ron Earp]

That is the coming version of the GT40.

As you know, the car is quite old. You may also want to look at some of the color schemes of eariler years too.

Ron

 

Hi!

Thanks for the quick response! I must admit that I'm not into the GT40 story by now. It was just an idea and of course I do like the older models as much as this one.

Do you know if there is an official color scheme or even an official color coding? I want to avoid testing around and getting mobbed by my chaps for not using the proper colors...

Thanks a lot!

MacLeod

 

[Guest]

MacLeod, actually this color scheme is the old Gulf Oil Racing team colors. These colors were used on the GT40s and later on the Porsche 917s. Actually, if my memory serves and there will be quick correction if I'm wrong, both of these were under John Wier's direction. The colors may more properly be described as JW Automotive colors. There are historians here who will certainly clarify the confusion I have added ;-)

 

[Guest]

Sorry to make this even more confusing, but having seen both Gulf Porsche and Gulf GT40 (both originals) the colours do not carry over from one car to the other. Also from discussions between club and forum members it seems clear to me that the colours varied and over time varied again and again. 1075 was repainted after its famous victory. Can you guarantee the colour remained the same? Also I beleive the stripe between the orange and blue to be a very dark blue and not black. You put any ones replica gulf 40 next to each other and I would expect none to be identical. I have aslo seen other Porsches and even a Ford Anglia in Gulf colours. None seem a standard colour.

From reading the above I see no-one has yet given codes and I can't help you either as stupidly I did not get them from my paint guy 10 years ago. However my memory says Triump Powder Blue and VW Brilliant orange are pretty good starting points.

Obviously the new 40 will have paint codes that are current but how to get them? If you find out can you put them on this site as lots of people would be grateful.

Malcolm

[ August 20, 2002: Message edited by: Malcolm M ]

 

[Gary Gibbs]

Is it me or does the new 40 seem a little darker in color?

 

[Guest]

I agree and it is definately not the same blue as on 1075.

Malcolm

 

[Mark Worthington]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CCX33911:
Is it me or does the new 40 seem a little darker in color?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not a bad thing IMO.

 

[Jack Compton]

Guys-Remember-these were RACE cars of the late 60's and early 70's. One was headquartered in England, the other in Germany. Does anyone think they were concerned about paint codes or consistency of color? Most likely, there were differences from race to race in the blues and oranges. Quality control and visual impact were virtually non-existant during this period of racing. I have seen a couple of the Gulf team 40's and find subtle differences in the hues applied. Find something close, and have at it. If anyone complains, tell them to get a life. And ask, were they there, in the race shop when the painter applied the color...

One person's opinion-Jack

 

[Jos]

My racing Scirocco was repainted in Gulf colours earlier this year and one or both actually is sold as 'Gulf Blue' and/or 'Gulf Orange' according to the paint shop I used

 

Hi everybody,

it seems as I have started quite a confusing discussion. As you said, Jack, in these times other things matterd...

I've contacted Gulf directly - today they should be much more keen on keeping to their Corporate Design. So I will see what happens.

Anyway, if I do not get a satisfying answer by the next week I will choose two colours that seem to fit best. And for sure I will tell you the colour codes and send you some pictures of my rebrushed MX-5

Thank you very much for your help and ideas - stay tuned!

MacLeod

 

[Guest]

Don't expect Gulf to know the answer to this! Also their colours have changed to the dark blue orange and silver as per MacLaren F1. Rumour has it the may be doing something on the back of the new 40 but it definately is not the same colour. Of course having had a recent off and with a little spare body work I could always start a business flogging paint chips for people to match!

Malcolm

 

I think I remember reading (Probably John Allen's book) that the orange was a Triumph color: Marigold. I think he also identified the blue, but I can't remember what it was, and the book is at home.
Jack

 

[Bill Bayard]

MacLeod,

A body shop owner once showed me that the easy and cheap way to fix hail damage is
with dry ice. Simply rub dry ice on the dents, and they pop right out, with no
filling, sanding, or painting involved.
I wouldn't have believed that it would work
had I not seen it with my own eyes. If your
car's body damage hasn't been repaired yet,
try it, you'll be amazed too!

Bill

 

[Fred/Belgium]

Macleod,

here it is for the Gulf colors(the originals):

Birger Ref 1125 Standard Triumph Powder blue
Birger Ref 1465 Triumph Marigold

Ps: I was told that the dark stripe between the orange and blue should be dark blue.

Good luck
Rgds
Fred

 

[M.B]

Berger range...

 

[M.B]

Marigold ref.1456 !!!

 

[Guest]

Have just read this old posting and i just thought i would tell you why there were variations in colour of these "racing" 40s and 917s of JWA/GULF.
Lightness!In those days cellulose was used and in order to keep weight down very light, almost wash coats, were applied and thats why in many instances you could almost see right through bodywork when the light was right.If you ever get the chance to look at an original RACE shell you will see why none of us need ever fuss about whose body is best.Inside of some shells you will see narrow strips of carbon-fibre bonded to the thin, almost single laminate moulding to give lightweight rigidity!So do not get too worried about colour variation.
Regards,
GTA.

 

Hi Guys,

I've finished the work on my MX-5... Here is the result:

Just a final question: Has anybody an idea where to get the stickers usually placed in front of the doors? The Gulf one with the racing flag?

Any ideas welcome!

Regards

MacLeod

 

[Fred/Belgium]

Try www.jumble-goodies.de

Rgds
Fred