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MGB Paint job

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Is there any way from the VIN or other code to determine original color on my 1977 MGB? Looking at paint samples online it appears the current color is Flame Red or close (horrible paint job). Inside the doors, behind the glass not just the jams, there appears to be very dark red such as Damask Red. Any other good spots to look for original paint? Did they paint the inside of the doors with exterior paint or just a body primer coat of some kind?
 
Boggsy64 said:
Is there any way from the VIN or other code to determine original color on my 1977 MGB?
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Only way for sure is to get a Heritage Certificate which will tell you the specs on your individual car. Nothing about trim or options is encoded into an MGB VIN.
 
Check Carmine red. I think that's a correct color for your year. Damask red did not go past 74 or 75 if I recall correct. I do not have my paint book in front of me right now. I can get you paint codes if you need them. Bob
 
You know, this whole paint scheme can get blown out of proportion very easily. You can paint any car and make it look presentable by various methods and on the cheap, it all depends on what quality of a job you want. I built this B for my wife and put a lot of extra into it, you don't have to go that far to have a very beautiful car. Not on this car but on cars I've restored or are restoring with a chassis, I use Martin Senior Tough Coat paint for all the running gear and chassis. Martin Senior is excellent paint by the way and doesn't cost near what automotive paint does. It can be blended in many colors to your liking. A trick to making paint last on a car, is use as little primer as necessary, just enough to cover the metal. I shun when someone says, "I had to put many coats of primer on to get it to look right"! That tells me they know nothing about painting cars properly.
Many years ago 1938 to be exact, my dad worked in a body shop up in Newburgh N.Y. They spray painted car bodies with many coats of lacquer paint, but, the fenders, running boards and outer lower sheet metal was painted with enamel, mostly black and the interesting part is, they were painted with a brush! The fenders were so shiny, you could see your face in them. So don't even rule out painting with a brush, Sail Boats have been painted that way for years. I heard of a car being painted with a roller, that would be interesting to see! So, do your own thing, let your pocket book be your guide and you'll have a nice looking car to boot! JMHO PJ
 
I agree with doing what works. I have enough artistic ability to get the body right, and smooth. I plan to do the body and paint myself, I have an air compressor so what the heck. Anything would be better than the runs, waves, dings, and swirls I have now! Am pulling the engine for rebuild now so the paint will be a spring time job. Maybe Carmine red.. my brother had a beautiful brand new B in '74 or 75 (but had rubber bumpers so what year??) and my memory puts it in the Carmine or Damask red category. I loved that deep red, beautiful!
 
Do it the color you like. You'll enjoy the car more that way.

And '74 could be either chrome or rubber bumpers, depending on exactly when built.
 
Boggsy, You might want to consider painting the rubber bumpers the same as the car! They look very nice when done that way. Here's an example. PJ

Don't know why the factory didn't do it this way.

 
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