Is it important to keep the original colour when restoring?

[gnicolas_63]

Hi, here's my dilema. I'm restoring a 71 280 SL origanally ( Dark Olive). I started by replacing floor panels from K&K Mfg., now I'm at the point in sourcing a body shop to respray the car over winter. The car was rough when I purchased it, and my intention is to make it a driver or better...The original colour is Dark Olive with Black canvas top, and cognac interior. I've seen SL's in silver and they look great, and most of the blue shades as well, I'm even considering Black as an alternative, they seem to be rare.

G Nicolas

[Jonny B]

There has been a fair amount written on the forum about the change of color. Some of it comes to what you intend to do with the car, and if you are working towards a nice driver; paint it the color you like. It is your car after all. You can most likely find a color that is from the period that will match what you are looking for. I would not fret a whole lot over this.

[hank sound]

Hi, here's my dilema. I'm restoring a 71 280 SL origanally ( Dark Olive). I started by replacing floor panels from K&K Mfg., now I'm at the point in sourcing a body shop to respray the car over winter. The car was rough when I purchased it, and my intention is to make it a driver or better...The original colour is Dark Olive with Black canvas top, and cognac interior. I've seen SL's in silver and they look great, and most of the blue shades as well, I'm even considering Black as an alternative, they seem to be rare.

G Nicolas

Hi G, ------ since you've posted the fact that you're unsure of what color to paint your 280, may I respectfully post my thoughts in response........    First off, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".   You own the car and - are the beholder (with the final word     The color you choose must make you happy.  That said,  me, I'd stay with the dark olive, as I see it being extremely rich and elegant.    Also, it can look almost black depending on the condition of the sky above, while, on a clear day, it would pick up the blue hue from above.   What the hey - - it even matches your original paint code

Here's to you being extremely happy with a beautiful paint job, no matter what color you choose.......

Hank

[dldubois]

Agreed, just pick any 113 color you like...and post pics..

[Garry]

I am not at all biased, well may be a bit

Dark Olive is not a bad colour if you want to be classed as a greenie
Then again if you want red!!!!

Garry

[ejboyd5]

The car was rough when I purchased it, and my intention is to make it a driver or better.

This quote really supplies the answer to your question.  Unless you have spent huge sums of money to correct the "rough," you will never have an exceptionally high value car as compared with original examples, so the color question has become moot.  That being said, make yourself happy with its "driver" status and paint it whatever color you like.

[Iconic]

There is one more side to this.
There are some people that get enjoyment in knowing their car is the same color as it left the factory, even if it is a driver as opposed to a show car.
I am one of those. 
So, you have to decide. It is a personal decision. What will give you the most enjoyment?

[KevinC]

I noted the term "re-spray' in your initial post. Keep in mind that a colo(u)r change will require the engine compartment, dash board and underside of the hood to be changed as well.

[69280sl]

Again, it is a personal decision. But at some time down the road, a prospective buyer may feel that if you didn't keep the color original there may be other "originality" shortcuts.

Gus

[Drewtee]

Of course not if you do not like the original colour 

But your lucky, for me that orginal colour you have is one of the best on a Pagoda.

Two years ago i walked around Essen in Germany and saw many beautifully restored Pagodas,  it's a good opportunity to see immaculate cars in many colour combos.

The last Pagoda i came across was my favourite and it's in your colour combo- One word - Stunning- There are PLENTY of silver cars out there.

[Ulf]

Olive Green is a really classy colour in my opinion, especially with cognac, beige or tan interior. Besides, if you stick to this colour, you might save a few dollars on the respray as you won't have to take the car totally apart for it if the paint in engine compartment, on dashboard and in door gaps etc. is good as it is.