Need help to decide on color for my '57

silvertonguedevil

I'm about to get started on my '57 Ragtop restoration but I need to have a blueprint of what direction the car is going before I get started. It was originally L41 Black with red interior but black is such a bitch, I'm reluctant to go that route. Keeping it clean at car shows and swirl marks, etc. But, it looks so good when done right. My favorite '57 color is L240 Agave Green. I just love that color! If I had two identical cars sitting side by side, I'd probably go for the Agave green car but I also like the idea of this car staying it's original color. I'm going crazy! I need some help breaking the tie in my head on these two colors.

L41 Black:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

L240 Agave

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-Greg

silvertonguedevil · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:46 am Post subject:

The car will be lowered on painted smoothies so I also drug these up so you can see my vision for the car in either color also.

Black (my car is LHD and would have original red interior)

Agave

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-Greg

*Darren · Samba Member Joined: July 29, 2013 Posts: 917 Location: MD

It's your car, do what you want. I really doubt a poll is going to help you decide. I do understand the issue with doing a black car is getting right and maintaining it, so IF you doubt your abilities & aren't up for the maintenance then the choice is really already made. Yeah, you go to sell the car, maybe you might have to take a few dollars less for not having it painted the og color. FWIW, of all the ovals I've seen on here and in the flesh - black is by far the color I see the least frequently. Done right - sweet one of the most quintessential VW colors, maybe the most.

silvertonguedevil · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:14 am Post subject:

Kjell Roar · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:22 pm Post subject:

I would live it black. It is already a very nice car, and I like the black/red combo. I like green, too, but it aint worth the job.
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silvertonguedevil · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:52 pm Post subject:

No, my car is not the black one pictured. I'm sorry if I confused you. It has not been restored yet. This is my car:

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-Greg

slalombuggy · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:03 pm Post subject:

Have you ever owned a black car, or more still , how much time have you spent trying to keep a black car looking good????????

I vote Agave

brad

silvertonguedevil · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 6:03 pm Post subject:

My wife's Navigator is black. It's a bitch. But I love black when it's clean.
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-Greg

Snort · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 6:54 pm Post subject:

My black Oval's paint condition is very very far from ideal. Even so, I would not have it be any other color.

EBSTEVE · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 7:22 pm Post subject:

If it is not the original paint then IMO it does not matter if its the original color. I love the black cars but I like the classic colors more. If it was my car it would not be black.

Last Triumph · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:25 pm Post subject:

L240 Agave Cool

silvertonguedevil · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:27 pm Post subject:

Make sure and vote on the poll too please.
_________________
-Greg

0nebadbug · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:10 pm Post subject:

Agave... The pastels are way more nostalgic when pit against black...

And as above keeping quality Black clean finish is a bear...

And even more reason why I voted for the Agave is... the other point is getting everything prepped up for quality Black paint job as well... I did mine in satin black and wish I would have gone lighter, ANY imperfection will show on a darker finish ...you can bet on 10-20 hours per sq ft in prep to perfection and then after the first shoot you will find the other 10-20 spots you missed and repaint it again...

Go with Agave, you will love it and will get you off the stands and on the road quicker, less headache & happier in the end...
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silvertonguedevil · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:13 pm Post subject:

I appreciate everyone's help on this!!

But....we're at a 50/50 tie in the poll. That's not going to help me much. Laughing

_________________
-Greg

AlanInMass54 · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 5:46 pm Post subject:

But a black Oval sunroof, red interior, maybe some whitewalls? Beautiful!

detroitjohnny · Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 7:02 am Post subject:

EBSTEVE · Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 7:07 am Post subject:

You might as well do what you want or flip a coin! Either way it will be an amazing car, you can't go wrong with either and you more than likely will end up 50/50 or close to it.

bwaz · Samba Member Joined: August 24, 2004 Posts: 1780

go off the grid, "Coral Red"!

79SuperVert · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 8:26 am Post subject:

Black is sharp but there are lots of black cars out there. Not many Agave Greens and it is also a beautiful color, especially with the two-tone wheels. Agave Green will be unusual, an attention-getter.
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wayne1230cars · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 9:31 am Post subject:

I went through the same debate when I restored my 1960. It was originally L41 black with red interior. I opted to keep it black.

I certainly agree with everything that has been said about black being a challenge to maintain and the necessity of excellent body prep work. Black is a rather unforgiving colour. It does look nice when done properly.

But I also love the agave green. The first bug I ever rode in was my uncle's brand new 1957 agave green Canadian standard.

You can't go wrong either way. Post some pics when you are done.

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