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LauraS

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OK, Guys, need help and advice on paint colors for my little Sprite. 1969 square body (first car) purchased in 1975. We were both young and pretty. However, red metalflake paint and a few years did not allow paint to hold up well to the elements. I, however, am a classic.
So controvery exists - paint it an original (read boring) red or go a little crazy and fun (which exemplifies driving this car in my opinion) like the Frankensprite (here) https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/h...---1961-Austin-Healey-Sprite-Mk2/3011821.html
Unfortunately, husband already bought replacement interior in black - red would have been my choice. I am considering Old English White or Wimbleton White but still on the fence about striping which would be red. I don't want her to look "cheap." Also, thinking maybe red piping added to the already purchased seat covers if she is striped.

Any suggestions? 180931-130-0.jpg
 
I think the white with red striping looks great. Red piping on the seats would be a nice touch, too. Instead of having the piping changed which would probably cost quite a bit, why not sell off the seat covers you have and buy some with the red piping already attached? You might also think about red seats with black piping and see how it looks with the rest of the black interior. Whatever you do, pick something you like and don't settle because you want to be happy looking at your car and not a little sad each time you see it.
 
Welcome aboard! I own a '69 Sprite as well that has been painted to close to its original "boring" color of Glacier Blue.

The truly wonderful thing about Spridgets is that the vast majority of owners/collectors put more emphasis on the driving experience than originality or creating a concours car. A lot of modifications that would have owners of other vintage makes turn up their noses are perfectly acceptable in the Little British Car world, in general, and Spridgets, specifically. So, go ahead, use your originality. I think black seats with red piping would mesh well with a white car with red stripes. Also, black seats are a lot easier to keep clean -- they hide an awful lot of dirt and scuffing that would show up on a red seat. Just remember to fold them over when you leave the car with the top down, otherwise you'll learn what "sitting in the hot seat" really means!

Again, Welcome Aboard! Do post more and feel free to post with any question, no matter how ridiculous you might think it is. This is the most courteous, supportive and helpful community on the Web. I'd be way the heck up the creek on my Sprite if it wasn't for everyone here.
 
Mine started out as Chartreuse but was painted OEW - to brighten the interior, my wife suggested red carpet - which I think looks quite attractive. This is an old picture - I have since gotten seat covers - black with red piping. My only recommendation is, do it all at once - the piping and the carpet are close but don't quite match - and I imagine the stripes would also need to be matched.

Oh, and welcome!

 
I am a fan of the color pallet offered for our cars in the 60's before the attempt at "mod" of the 70's. Particularly tartan red, signal red, old English white and primrose yellow. Many shades of British racing green and I do like the darker ones. Not a big fan of blue but the 60's shades are tolerable to me. Just my taste's!!:smile:

Kurt.
 
Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you will enjoy it here as we have a fine bunch of friends who are always eager to help. And I especially liked HealeyRick's advice. Take your time and maybe even spend a little more than you intended to make it like you really want it.
 
I do not think that black interior prevents you from any particular color exterior. If you are on the fence about the stripes just use vinyl.
 
Good advice and thanks for the warm welcome! It's helpful to hear support to go with what I like rather than follow some guide or rulebook. As HealeyRick put it "you want to be happy looking at your car and not a little sad each time you see it."
Great point, JPSmit, that the red striping should match the red piping on seats. Hadn't considered that. I'd love to see a photo of your black with red piping seat covers.
Thanks again. I'll post some pics to show her progress!
 
LauraS said:
Good advice and thanks for the warm welcome! It's helpful to hear support to go with what I like rather than follow some guide or rulebook. As HealeyRick put it "you want to be happy looking at your car and not a little sad each time you see it."
Great point, JPSmit, that the red striping should match the red piping on seats. Hadn't considered that. I'd love to see a photo of your black with red piping seat covers.
Thanks again. I'll post some pics to show her progress!
Click to expand...

I thought I had one with them in the car - I don't, but, here.



I bought them on Ebay here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MG-Midget-...295689?hash=item4d2e3dfb09:g:~DgAAOSwo4pYLZl7

I also bought the head rest cover and an arm rest cover - even though you will see I removed the headrests and I haven't yet done the arm rest- but, just in case a new owner wanted to and they were cheap. I did end up paying to have them put on the seats as they weren't a perfect fit.

But, I think they look quite nice - though, as mentioned not a perfect match.

Coming back to the original question I would say (and I think we would all pretty much agree) Your Car Your Choice. The only (slight caveat) Is that most of us try (I think) to keep the cars generally historically more or less accurate (How is that for vague :grin:smile: By that I mean that Sprites generally don't suit things like spoilers - generationally they just don't seem to work. Likewise colours from the 60's and to a lesser extent the 70's seem to work better than colours from the 2000's. things like that - but, even there...

good luck and please keep us posted and please lots of pics!
 
Well, this is proving to be much more difficult than i imagined. After visiting several owners of OEW Healeys the only definitive conclusion is that they all are definitely different colors. The OEW appears almost greenish gray on one car.
So...keeping in mind that I do not have a red interior to match (sigh) and am searching for a red/white combo that works together - does anyone have any suggestions? This would be so much easier if painting a Big Healey where so many examples of color combinations are available. Currently looking at Wimbleton White and a 2010 Mercedes Benz ML350 creamy white. I know this isn't much to go on but painter will test the whites on a piece of metal so need to give him red paint codes to place alongside.
Any and all suggestions appreciated.
 
I have had a Bugeye with black seats and a Bugeye with red seats. The black seats got so hot in the sun I had to carry a towel to sit on in the summer as to not burn my thighs, where on the other hand red seats stay much cooler.
 
Thanks everyone for all of your input. Progress has been made!! (although a long way to go before she's up and running!):rapture:
The colors look so different depending on light as you can see but, all in all, I'm really pleased.
 

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Thanks Rick. Well, wheels have been powdercoated so probably not going to spend more money just yet. (Already way outpacing resale worth of vehicle!...as I'm sure is often the case)
Still, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, continue to like this look eventually. Just not sure how the paint would hold hold against flying road rock, etc. I suppose not unlike the paint on the lower car body but not sure.
 

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I know some others will disagree, but I agree with Rick. I really like the minilite style alloy wheels on the roll up window cars. They are VERY round and true. The ride difference will amaze you. Unless you are lucky enough to have four PERFECTLY round and true steel wheels.
 
OTOH car looks amazing!
 
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