TheSamba.com :: View topic - Help! What Color is my Westy? Body OK....Pop Top??

Mon Oct 15, 2012 3:43 pm

I'm the proud new owner of a 1986 Vanagon Westfalia 6 passenger Multivan? Weekender?

If I had to simply state a color...... Gold Metallic.......

It is as near as I can discern, 100% original, no modifications or "improvements".

Serial number WV2XB0252GH112xxx
W - Germany
V - Volkswagen
2 - Multi Purpose Vehicle MPV
X - Kombi
B - 4 cylinder gasoline, water cooled
0 - passive restraint, seat belts
25 - Vanagon
2 - Manufacturer Check Digit
G - Model Year (1986)
H - Hannover (Assembly Plant)
112xxx. Sequencial Production Number

I know so much! But what color is it???

I'm thinking the color may be Savannah Beige Metallic but that code is LH1V
If it is, the top is Desert Beige according to this forum.....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=527875

I read that there was a M code sticker under the fuse panel to the left of the steering wheel that tells me lots of good information. According to this forum.....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341506
Sadly.....ah......no sticker just A little glue residue, but no sticker :(

I did find this metal plate under the drivers seat. Does it tell me anything important? Like paint color? :)
Any help is appreciated!

Dave

Mon Oct 15, 2012 3:50 pm

Do you have a paper sticker like this near the driver's door?

Mon Oct 15, 2012 3:52 pm

Sadly, no. It is gone. I do have a smear of glue residue below the fuse panel inside the left door.

Dave

Mon Oct 15, 2012 4:45 pm

Looks like Savannah Beige Metallic, code LH1V.

Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:40 pm

Indeed- Savannah Beige Metallic

Tue Oct 16, 2012 5:10 am

dixoncj wrote: Indeed- Savannah Beige Metallic

What a great city :lol: good name for a westy too

Tue Oct 16, 2012 5:14 pm

Ah Ha!

While working on my Bug.....ahem.....playing on the iPad.... :oops:

I stumbled across thus site.......

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/VehicleSpecific/T3/info/colour.htm

Now, my sticker on the dash is missing but the metal ID plate under the LF seat is there......

Look at the series of numbers..... See the S8 S8 14 on the left side?
That is the Body Finish SALES code! :)

Turns out the first S8 is for the exterior paint
The second S8 is for either the interior paint OR the two tone code?
The 14 ? I have no idea yet?
S8 = LH1V
The L is dropped on the chart, it apparently designates a Lacquer Paint.

Here's a screen shot of the 1986 color paint code to sales code.....

Q. Should the H1V bother me at all? :-k

I hope this information helps others seeking a paint code.

Dave

Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:21 pm

I have the same color van...the wife hates that color...I'm not too fond of it either.

Psst...its for sale!

Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:53 pm

mikls63rag wrote:
Psst...its for sale!
Hey, I'm interested!

2nd thought, I don't like the color :P
Besides, my Westy Weekender is the same color. :lol:

Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:16 am

Success!

I stopped by FinishMaster, my local auto body supply store, today and they mixed up a pint of Single Stage Omni for me to VW Code LH1V Savannah Beige Metallic. :)

It's a rainy day so no color match checking today.

They could not help me with the Desert Beige for the Pop Top however. Has anyone come up with a good match?

Dave

Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:06 pm

Paint the top to match the body color. It will look much better.

Fri Oct 19, 2012 5:03 pm

PDXWesty wrote: Paint the top to match the body color. It will look much better.

Disagree. Love the color offset of the pop-top. Might just be for nostalgic reasons, since I think they look more retro. But I like the look better than the color-matched ones I see all around.

According to the color charts/posts linked above, my Flash Silver van should have a white top—but it is, in fact, a very light grey. Not white. This was obvious when we had the top off to change out the tent. I'd be very interested in finding an accurate & comprehensive source for pop-top paint codes.

Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:10 pm

timichango wrote: PDXWesty wrote: Paint the top to match the body color. It will look much better.

Disagree. Love the color offset of the pop-top. Might just be for nostalgic reasons, since I think they look more retro. But I like the look better than the color-matched ones I see all around.

According to the color charts/posts linked above, my Flash Silver van should have a white top—but it is, in fact, a very light grey. Not white. This was obvious when we had the top off to change out the tent. I'd be very interested in finding an accurate & comprehensive source for pop-top paint codes.

Yeah, I've got to agree with the contrast of body and Pop Top. When Chrome disappeared from the "modern" automobile I wasn't thrilled with the monochromatic look of the new cars with plastic bumpers painted to match the body. I've become used to it as the years have ticked by and now own them (what choice do you have?) but I still appreciate automotive contrast. There is a thread on here where someone painted the grille on their Vanagon to match the body! To each their own. Must be a "kid" who didn't grow up with chrome and two tone! :-k

As I progress with the "Rehab" of this Van I'll pull the top this winter and take the front luggage portion to have the unfaded portion (that is covered by the rear portion when closed) computer analyzed and have a mix made up. When I do I'll share it on here for all to learn from.

Dave

Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:50 pm

timichango wrote: PDXWesty wrote: Paint the top to match the body color. It will look much better.

Disagree. Love the color offset of the pop-top. Might just be for nostalgic reasons, since I think they look more retro. But I like the look better than the color-matched ones I see all around.

According to the color charts/posts linked above, my Flash Silver van should have a white top—but it is, in fact, a very light grey. Not white. This was obvious when we had the top off to change out the tent. I'd be very interested in finding an accurate & comprehensive source for pop-top paint codes.

Absolutely! I love the white pop-top and I'm fond of the chrome bumpers too... ;)