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Color combination

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J

jcsb

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Well with the full rebuild underway I'm considering color combinations. I know I want a two color combo, but I would like to see some color combos to see which ones I like. Is there someplace that has those combos in one place to review?

john
 
seatrains said:
John, forgot to mention select "Healey Catalog".
Thanks, Thom
Click to expand...

Thanks Thom. Trying to figure out the perfect combo is about the hardest thing I've done so for. Since I'm going to be matching the frame and superstructure it really needs to be right.

John
 
John,

What is the original color? Reverting to that takes the pain out of deciding, and then you can add an appropriate second color if it was not originally two tone. Since you are painting everything the base color, original is a good bet (also for future if you ever sell it).
 
CLEAH said:
John,

What is the original color? Reverting to that takes the pain out of deciding, and then you can add an appropriate second color if it was not originally two tone. Since you are painting everything the base color, original is a good bet (also for future if you ever sell it).
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what the original color was. Since I'm modifying so much I don't think originality plays into the decision.
John
 
jcsb said:
Since I'm modifying so much I don't think originality plays into the decision.
John
Click to expand...
Ah, that's right, I forgot about that. Why not then shoot the frame and inner structure in black, and just the outer panels in color? The fact that Healeys were completely painted in body color makes color choice difficult, because you really can't easily change your mind. If it is just the skin, it might feel less restricted, because it would be easy to change on a whim. If the car is modified, you don't need to follow frame painting conventions--unless of course you want to!
 
jcsb said:
I'm not sure what the original color was. Since I'm modifying so much I don't think originality plays into the decision.
John
Click to expand...
Describes my (then, 1986) decision as well. The only difference being that I knew mine was originally Healey Ice Blue, with white sides. At that time, there were seven "known" Healeys in Lafayette, Louisiana, and six (6) of them were blue, or blue & white. I had already decided that I wanted my BN6 to be an early 70s Porsche color called Wine Red, in part because I too had deviated from stock specification.

All these years later, and though the car continues to get rave compliments on the paint and color__much moreso than on any of the mechanical enhancements__part of me wishes I had stayed with the original color. All the mechanical bits could be unbolted, reverting to stock, but it would be a big job indeed to change the color!

CLEAH said:
Ah, that's right, I forgot about that. Why not then shoot the frame and inner structure in black, and just the outer panels in color? The fact that Healeys were completely painted in body color makes color choice difficult, because you really can't easily change your mind. If it is just the skin, it might feel less restricted, because it would be easy to change on a whim. If the car is modified, you don't need to follow frame painting conventions--unless of course you want to!
Click to expand...
While not a bad idea to use a contrasting__neutral__color, I wouldn't recommend black. Black, especially any sort of semi-gloss or matte finish, sucks up so much light, that it would make all future servicing a literal nightmare. White, or ideally silver, would make a far more reflective area to work in, being much easier on, dare I say, aging eyes.

If it wasn't going to be too glaring of a combination with your final exterior color choice, the inner structure painted in the car's original color would make the most financial sense.

In my own case, I have always been curious how mine would look in the Wine Red with silver coves (I even bought a quart of the paint, way back when) but still haven't decided to take the plunge. A silver engine compartment, etc., would certainly be acceptible in that case, though the WR reflects enough light that seeing into the depths still works for me__for now...

Just my two cents (.02) worth :cheers:
 
My car too was modified when I purchased it with a Datsun engine/trans, so when doing the cosmetics, I chose the absolute best color that I thought would look good with the lines of the car, maintaining a period look. I chose a Jaguar British racing green.
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sideposte2.jpg
 
Randy,

Silver/gray frame and structure with color on the skin would look great on a modified Healey. Think in terms of a classic Italian racer such as a Ferrari--that is how they did it and it looks fantastic. Silver on the metal in the cockpit too.
 
Hey John,
I have always thought that black with red coves is one of the most stunning color combos you can have. Had a BN6 in that combo and it looked great.
Regards,
Mike
 
Healey_Z said:
My car too was modified when I purchased it with a Datsun engine/trans, so when doing the cosmetics, I chose the absolute best color that I thought would look good with the lines of the car, maintaining a period look. I chose a Jaguar British racing green.
nose.jpg



sideposte2.jpg
Click to expand...

You were right, Healey Z! Gorgeous.
Chris...
 
So, I am narrowing it down to Black w/Red coves or Dark British Racing Green, with Old English White coves. Seen both and like both. Urrrr, decisions. I did think of doing grey as a frame superstructure paint.
John
 
In my opinion I would not do the frame black unless the car will be black. To me (and others I think) will get the idea that the black frame and engine bay was a short cut to actually painting the frame and you are trying to hide the color differences. We know that not to be the case but when I see black in an engine bay on an otherwise different color car, that is the first think I think of.
 
I agree with Healeyblue. First decide on the colours you want the car then paint the chassis and superstructure the same colour as the main colour you chose. It looks very strange when you see a Healey with a different coloured chassis and engine bay. It just looks wrong and gives the impression that the car has just had a spray over. If you do ever decide to sell then the black chassis will reduce the value.
 
So, according to the link provided there was never a factory Red with White coves?, I too am doing a ground up resto of my BJ7 and have chosen that scheme, last one the car had when I bought it, although the car was originally Old English White. I still have not decided if painting the frame and superstructure Old English White or Red, I think any would suit.
 
That is correct, there never was a red with white coves official option. Nor white and red. One scheme which I have always fancied, is Primrose with Black Coves, and a black hardtop. The 100-Sixs that came with this combo actually had yellow interiors. these are phenomenally rare and I've never seen one in the flesh. RichC was building just such a car and I believe that Bob Yule is completing it. Can't wait to see it finished.
 
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