Indicator of original color?

[Healey_Z]

Please excuse my lack of knowledge on the Healey cars.

I picked up this car from a guy who owned it for 25 years. He said it was red when he bought it and it looks like it has been repainted at least twice. Here is a picture of the trunk latch as I was sanding through the layers of dirt and paint. This color was also under a ¼ inch of grime and a few coats of paint on the car frame.

What are some clear indicators on the original color of the car?

 

[Robert560]

If you're willing to spend about 6 bucks, you can find out the original color for sure within a few days...

You can query the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. This is where people get their "Heritage Certificates" from... but many don't realize that you can also just do a "Archive Research Service" request. You "buy" it online, fill out the simple form, and then they email you the results... very quickly, in my experience.

https://shop.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/...0401/index.html

The first option in the pull-down menu on that page is "Original Colour". You just give them your car info and VIN (chassis number). For £3.75 per query (about $6 USD), they'll dig up the production build record, and email you in the info you asked for.

I used this service several times back when I was first looking for a Healey... to make sure I knew original color/engine numbers prior to buying. Then once I bought, I went ahead and ordered the Heritage Cert... but having seen the numbers first, I knew there wouldn't be any surprises.

~Bob

 

[Legal Bill]

I agree.

Keep in mind that looking at small parts that unbolt is unreliable. That latch may have come from another car.

 

[Hawkscoach]

When I purchased my AH 59 BN4 car, it was painted green. Looked like someone used a paint brush. It was advertised as a "green" Healey. Once I begain the restoration work and started to remove about 10 layers of dirt and paint, I found the car was green, red, blue, (possibly a yellow), Black, etc. When I got to the original paint layer, I found white. The Heritage research confirmed the Old English White. As I tore into the car, I found all kinds of evidence of the white. AH lovers are lucky to have records to confirm such things. I just finished my 69 camaro SS396 convertible that was "multiple" colors when I found it. Fortunately, the trim tag confirms the color on an X66 car (is Fathom Green, the interior, engine size and transmission). You can formulate other facts about the car. HOWEVER, there is no other significant data without the build sheet for 69 camaros. Again, the Heritage Certificate gives you a lot of information if you are restoring and care about orginality. If you are not trying for close to original.............Have fun.

Doug

 

[Healey_Z]

Was the frame always painted the same color as the body?

 

[57_BN4]

Z, the original colour should be under the square plates that hold the firewall seals around the steering shaft/other side blanking plate. Look at the last pic in this thread https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/732772/

I have also found it under the fuel filler rubber due to a series of lazy resprays and on the bonnet hinges if you open the bonnet further than the prop rod position.

Yes, body/frame always painted together.

Andy.

 

[Healey_Z]

Thanks 57,

It looks like my Colorado Red Healey project started its life as an Old English White Healey. My paint guy swears that there are ten layers of paint, three of them are red, however the bottom layer on all cases is white and the places you noted 57 are.....white.

Hmmmmm, now what to do, what to do.

Ken