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A Question of Color

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C

Cutlass

Jedi Warrior
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It's time to choose the color for my '66 BJ8. It came from the factory in Healey Blue. I thought I had made up my mind to go back to Healey Blue, with white cove, but I keep seeing midnight blue cars (of other makes) on the road, and just can't get past wanting that color. Certainly the final decision comes down to individual taste, and I know that. The reason for this post is to garner the opinions of others on color change, and to see if anyone has good or bad experience with dark blue. The car will not be a gold concours car, even if it were painted in the original color. That's not my goal. This is an age-old question, but any and all opinions would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance.
 
Original color.

Bruce
 
Yes, it's an old, recurring question that is likely to remain an open question. My thoughts:

The original colors are very nice. They look "right." They are historically correct. They will not cause the car to lose value (don't dismiss the idea that you may want to sell someday, even if you currently intend to be buried in it). You can't go wrong with an original color. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

Non-original colors may satisfy a short-term infatuation, but many people often later regret the decision to go non-original. They tend to make the car harder to sell. They are usually not in keeping with the period when the car was made (just as Candie Apple Red is a nice color but would look all wrong on a Model T), presenting a somewhat unfocused, diluted presentation. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

For your car to look "right," to look in keeping with its period, and to retain its value, an original color is the way to go. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif

Others will, of course, differ. But it's your car and you have to live with it (and possibly sell it someday). Please let us know what you finally decide, and post a pic! Good luck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Follow the sage advice of Reid. He knows of what he is speaking. I too like midnight blue...back in high school a friend had a midnight blue Pontiac GTO and man it was the joint! If you are embracing the total "Healeyness" of your car, any personalization beyond period accessories (careful here too), will deminish the car's intrinsic value and unique visual character. I would stick with Healey blue! The color is really very special...a signature Healey color and it never looks dated.
 
The guys are right. The period colors are still the best in my opinion (my BJ8 is Healey blue), but I can't wait to add the ivory insert panel.
 
I too am torn about staying with the original color. My BJ7 originally was Florida Green. I am almost to the point where I will have the new Jule frame completed and ready for the color. I have only seen one other Florida Green Healey but it was not assembled. It was also a BN at that. I guess I could stay with a color that not many people have… Maybe there is a reason I have not seen many Florida Green Healeys.
 
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I too am torn about staying with the original color. My BJ7 originally was Florida Green. I am almost to the point where I will have the new Jule frame completed and ready for the color. I have only seen one other Florida Green Healey but it was not assembled. It was also a BN at that. I guess I could stay with a color that not many people have… Maybe there is a reason I have not seen many Florida Green Healeys.

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I for one think that Florida Green is a terrific color. Maybe a little more 1950s than 1960s, but a real "period correct" color that complements the lines and style of the big Healey.

Look, the world already has enough red sports cars. Be different, be daring, be distinctive, and be original with an unusual original color! It's a great opportunity to be both different AND original.
 
My vote - goes for the original healey blue. You will never regret it. With the white coves - it will be the Classic Healey.
As the others have said, send a pic of the final product.Good luck - Jim /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gifCutlas:

There is a fellow down there in Virginia that has a BJ8 painted dark blue with cream coves and the car is very nice looking.Some years ago a dark blue one graced the front page of one of the the Healey Mags and it was a striking example too. Paint your car the color you like after all you gotta live with it.---Keoke
 
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It's time to choose the color for my '66 BJ8. .... Certainly the final decision comes down to individual taste, and I know that. .... The car will not be a gold concours car, even if it were painted in the original color.

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One of our club members has a car painted in dark blue with white coves and it is very attractive, another has stuck with BRG but has the white coves too, and I think I too may do that with mine when I get to that stage.

The point about the impact of non-orignal color on the marketability and value shouldn't be ignored- but who does all this work with that as the prime consideration- please yourself.

I was attracted to the Healey blue, but it seemed that everyone and their dog is using it. I wanted something a little diffferent and individual and a BRG (or BRG/White if I do that) does it while still being a Healey orignal and very traditional looking.

I found it very helpful to look at the photo galleries to see if someone else has painted their car in the color. See what you think of it then- you may even be able to get them to send you photos for a better perspective on it. Being able to see different cars with the BRG and BRG/WHite really helped me to appreciate those possibilities in a way that simply thinking about it could not. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
I beg to differ with my more knowledgeable brethren on this issue. People here tend to be more purist than most, and quite dedicated to the cause of restoration. While I agree to a large extent, there comes a point when it becomes slavish. My dear friend has a 64 Morgan painted midnight blue and silver, and the colors look fabulous. Just because it wasn't a Healey color doesn't mean it didn't exist at the time, and wouldn't look great. I find some of the Healey colors rather peculiar. To some, that makes them more unique. To me, they are just, well, not the most attractive colors. Had I bought my BJ8 off the dealership floor, I wouldn't have taken those colors.

I think midnight blue is a terrific color and that your car will look great. Color is a personal thing, and if that's what works for you, go for it.
 
What great comments! There are good arguments both ways. One thing that makes the color choice a bit problematic is that the entire chassis is the same color as the main body color. So if I were to go with a non-standard color, a subsequent owner, if he or she desired to return to a standard color, would be in a bit of a pickle. By the way, the car that really got me thinking of dark blue is that 100-4 gracing the Moss Motor adds that appear on the back of Healey magazines. And Larry Varley's BN1 is stunning in blue.
 
I'll weigh in on this one as well. I have a non-standard color BJ7 and find that it garners quite a bit of attention. My thought with it was to do something unique but in a color scheme that may have been found in the time period or other English makes. I realize that it may have an adverse affect on the eventual resale value and may not age well. An original color is definitely the safe way to go over the long run but I figure that when the color scheme is aged out it will be time to restore it again. I do also have a BN2 that will be done in OEW over black as original. Attached is a photo of the BJ7.
 

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Very nice, Steven. One paint scheme I just haven't seen is dark blue over white. Keoke knows of one in Virginia. Any possibility of a photo?
 
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I found it very helpful to look at the photo galleries to see if someone else has painted their car in the color.

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Here's a gallery of many Healeys in many different colors: Healey Gallery. Maybe that will help you visualize the possibilities. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
I don't know of any photo's of a dark blue over white one. I have never seen one either so that would definitely be somewhat unique. If I stumble across one I will let you know. I had once thought of doing a car in dark midnight blue monotone with a magnolia (a little yellower than ivory) interior.

Steve
 
I agree with sticking to the original colours. My car is Healey Blue and white. I was lucky to find a great car already in my favourite colour scheme.

Just to add a personal taste point on this. I do think the BJ8s better suit the single colour scheme whereas the roadsters really bring out the best in the two tones. BRG of course wasnt a roadster colour but does suit the BJ8. On the other hand I do think Florida green is more a fifties colour and looks best on the 100s. Just my 2c

Go with what makes you happy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
I am going to jump in here and take on the purists a bit. My BJ8 is BRG. I had it repainted last year, and it had been repainted once before. All three BRGs that have been on my car differ. Of course, Healey/MG had two shades of BRG: GN 25 and GN 29, somewhat darker. But go to a British car show and view BRG cars side by side, and they all seem to differ at least slightly. The differences in Healey Blues is even more dramatic. Add to that is the fact that most repaints now are base coat, clear coat, and they are very highly polished. There is nothing original about highly polished base coat, clear coat paint jobs on LBCs, although they might look terrific. As a matter of fact, some original paint jobs from the factory barely had enough material to cover the primer and had many flaws.
All I am really saying here, to you purists especially, is that most of our restoration paint jobs have nothing in common with the original, especially in shade and quality. Therefore, I personally think the next step to a non Healey color isn't that big. Yes, it might hurt the resell value somewhat. But one needs to ask himself what is more important, another couple of grand when you sell it or getting the color you really want.
 
During my BJ7 restoration much care has been taken to return the car to a more original state by reversing years of 'tinkering' by P.O.'s so I guess you could call me a 'purist'. When it came to paint systems, I went with a single stage paint because it looks more original. BUT, when it came to color I balked on the original colors. I wanted a BRG but didn't care for the lighter BJG that came on the BJ7. I figured if I was not going to go with the factory specified concours color then I might as well come up with something that pleases me. After a bunch of custom mixing I settled on a very dark green with ivory white coves. I think it still has a period look and I'm happy with it. The advice to go with factory colors is good but even more important is to pick a color you like.

Cheers,
John
outside.jpg
 
John: Your car looks great. I do notice from the photo that you had it finish painted before adding the engine, running gear, etc. My question is whether the doors and panels fit after putting the car on wheels and adding weight? My plan is to build a rolling chassis with engine, etc., before panel and door fitting and final paint, to ensure any unavoidable body sag is taken into account.
 
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