Source for Clay Beige L479

[Mervo]

The wheels of my 61, Australian-made beetle should I believe from the research I have done, be Clay Beige ((L479) on the inner rim section and Pearl White on the outer (L87). The car has reportedly been repainted about 8-9 years ago in its original (Australian) Alabaster (or New Alabaster). They also used this on the wheel rims ...

Does this wheel colour combination sound right for '61?

Finding the paint here is a tricky part also. Do Pearl White or Clay Beige have any other up-dated names?

Example found:

_________________
1962 Porsche 356
1968 Porsche 911 (sold)
1988 Porsche 911
2004 Porsche Turbo
1960 VW beetle (Australian)

[viiking]

There doesn't appear to be any VW colour called Alabaster or new Alabaster in Australia.

These are the original colours of Australian made Beetles in 1961 from Balm Paints. The first code is the Dulux colour, the second number if any is the equivalent VW formula number.

Beryl Green 4288
Gulf Blue 4285
Misty Grey 4234
Pastel Blue 4284
Pearl White 4291
Pigeon Blue 0377
Ruby Red 4286
Turquoise 4287

These are the colours of 1961 Imported VW using European paints.

Anthracite Grey 4697 L469
Lavender Blue 4701 L397
Pacific Blue 4696
Pampas Green 4702 L384
Paprika Red 4699 L452
Sea Blue 4698 L360
Sierra Beige 4700 L490

I would anticipate the outer rim was probably Pearl White and the inner the body colour but I am not sure.

If you don't get help from here, have you asked the question on the Aussieveedbubbers Facebook page? Most of the Australian owners are active on there and I am sure you will get someone with that knowledge.
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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[Mervo]

This is interesting as I can see Alabaster on Australian colour charts earlier and including 1960 when this car was built (Sept 60). The PO had the car for over 45 years and it was his report that told me it was Alabaster. However when I ordered a little Alabaster (L473) to test the match, it is more brown than what is there on the exterior which has seemingly more grey in the mix. As mentioned the car was allegedly repainted in its original colour around 8-9 years ago. It may, however, have been colour matched by the painter and not sourced from original charts/formula.

The dash and interior are in original paint still and don't look like Pearl White (the nearest 61 colour?).
_________________
1962 Porsche 356
1968 Porsche 911 (sold)
1988 Porsche 911
2004 Porsche Turbo
1960 VW beetle (Australian)

[viiking]

Ok you are right. I only looked at 1961.

Here are the colours for previous years. Alabaster in 1959 and New Alabaster in 1960.

1959
Alabaster 3933
Boronia Brown 2265
Commercial Blue 7522
Mango Green 9819
Manly Tan 7940
Palm Green 7852
Sand Green 7853
Seagull Grey 9818
Summer Blue 2266
Tasman Blue 9632
1960
Ceramic Green 9911
Commercial Blue 7522
Mango Green 9819
New Alabaster 0095
Paprika 0048
Slate Blue 9853
Strato Blue 0049

Now note, Australian vehicle years were numbered Jan-December not August to July as per the German version. So for example the 1962 Australian Type 1 was released in July 1962 and was marketed as 1962 & 1/2.

The source for all of this information is here:

https://www.clubvw.org.au/vwreference/vwchassis/
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[viiking]

So to me your car was an Australian 1960 not 61 because of the Australian manufacturing dates being calendar year.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[Mervo]

Ahhh. I always thought (pardon my ignorance as I am coming from a 356 background) that VW dates post September of a year were listed as the following year? EDIT - I did register on FB and there are a few posts suggesting the opposite to the calendar year division you mentioned. That is an Australian car built in September 1960 is a 61 model?

Thanks for this. So it could well be Alabaster as it still is on the inside and close on the outside. The colour varies with light of course (false mirror, amber indicators, bumper, etc now replaced)

_________________
1962 Porsche 356
1968 Porsche 911 (sold)
1988 Porsche 911
2004 Porsche Turbo
1960 VW beetle (Australian)

[viiking]

Most people including our fellow Aussies just follow the SAMBA information not realising that we had Australian production.

Unfortunately a lot of records of the Australian factory were lost so we have to rely on our local knowledge like the link I payed previously.

It is particularly important when buying parts from overseas especially the US that our local production was not like that of the US information on this website.

Have a look at the club VW site and you will see a section on what we didn’t get in Australia compared to the US.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[Mervo]

Fully agree. My 62 RHD Australia delivered 356 is often subjected to views by those who have US, Euro or converted cars.
_________________
1962 Porsche 356
1968 Porsche 911 (sold)
1988 Porsche 911
2004 Porsche Turbo
1960 VW beetle (Australian)