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Interior/Exterior color choices........help?

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Silverghost

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My 57 Mk1 was originally white with a red interior. The PO repainted it a color in the BRG family and changed the interior to tan and never completed it. I intended to keep it the new color, giving the current paint a refresher.

However, I am now considering a different color - black tulip - thanks to DART and his project! :laugh: I have seen some examples of cars done in black tulip with tan interiors - VERY NICE! Now would be the time while the car is still apart.

Keeping originality in mind, I did some digging to see if there was a factory color close to black tulip. In a factory brochure I saw claret listed, but I couldn't tell how close that color is to black tulip. The same brochure listed the only available interior choice as red.

Nigel Thorley's Mk1/Mk2 book states on pg.35 that claret came with red or tan interiors. It also goes on to state that "Jaguar offered the facility at extra cost to paint Mk1s (like any other Jaguar model) in any color of the owner's choice.." and "Interior trim could be planned at extra cost to a customer's requirements.."

What is the convention on exterior/interior color choices? The wisdom I have heard a lot is that as long as the paint type - solid, metallic, pearl, etc. - is correct for the period, the color can be any choice befitting of the car. No Mary Kay or Peptobismol pink, please! LoL

Based on the Thorley book, it appears I have the latitude to pick different exterior/interior colors. Was there a black tulip or equivalent in 1957. The listing I found was for an MGB in 1963, notably also a British car! That is not that far from 1957. I think one could suppose a color similar to black tulip exisited in 1957. Is claret even close? A photocopy image on the net leaves a lot to be desired!

Ultimately the choice is mine, it is my car after all! I have to be happy with it. LoL However, I don't want to head down a path if that path would cause the car to be considered "bastardized" later on.

I look forward to your input, wisdom, and opinions...
 
Hey, Peter -

Not at all familiar with Jag colors, but I can tell you that Black Tulip was a color offered on MGB's in 1973 only. Our B is painted that color, with tan interior and top. Great combination.
 

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Hey, Peter -

I'm afraid that Tegler's got it wrong - it was only offered in '73:

https://www.mgcars.org.uk/namgbr/paint.htm

I noticed several of the same postings - '63-'80 on his list. He needs to update that!
 
What, you mean everything on the internet ISN'T true......aww man! LOL Guess this means I'm never going to get my deed to the Golden Gate Bridge either!! :laugh:

In any case, very pretty, very distinctive color.....!
 
Thanks! Janet and I went to LSU, so as luck would have it, we were able to paint the car with the colors (purple and gold), and still keep it "correct".
grin.gif


As for the internet's reliability, well, one word...

:spam:

...'cept, of course, THIS place! :hammer:
 
:iagree: Mickey's correct on this one!
 
Any idea if Black Tulip existed earlier under another name? It seems to me there are no new colors, just new names..... :smile:
 
Silverghost said:
Any idea if Black Tulip existed earlier under another name? It seems to me there are no new colors, just new names..... :smile:
Click to expand...
Not in the MG lineup.
 
I shall endeavour to do some digging in me Jaguar books! If the colour was available from any British manufacturer in that era, I suppose it would have come under the "bespoke colour" option.

I believe that Rolls Royce had a similar colour, but again, research will be needed.

Stay tuned.
 
Thanks Steve! I spoke with Dave, the owner of Jaguars Unlimited. He confirmed what I suspected - no "points off" for color choice as long as period correct. Primarily solid colors, no metallics. Opalescent is ok though. I don't know if Black Violet is a metallic but if it is, it seems to me I could get it mixed without or opalesence instead....
 
Peter, no offence to anyone here, but you really need to see black tulip in the flesh to confirm it's really what you want. It's a seventees purple and the reason it was only offered for one year is that it was not popular. It is probaly true to say that most surviving cars have been repainted alternative colours.

However, personal tastes are just that and less common colours often accentuate the cars lines and draw more attention to paint quality - perfect for attracting attention to show cars!

FYI Claret is a maroon red (the colour of the Mk2 in the UK "Inspector Morse" tv series - now a very famous and expensive car; google for pictures). Ironically it is also an "unpopular" colour. There is a deep opalescent burgundy red that IMHO looks fantastic, but if you can choose any period colour then just take your time!
 
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