How much does a color change hurt value

Driven · Jun 1, 2012

So I have a red on red 67 gtx that at some point will need new paint. It was repainted once 20 years ago and has drips, dust, and some peeling of the paint. It looks ok in the pic but from a few feet away it does not look good although it still shines. The car has its original drivetrain 440, 4spd, an dana. The seat covers where replaced some years ago. It has all of its original body panels. I like the car but was never a huge fan of red on red coloring. How much does it hurt the value if I change the exterior or interior color? I was thinking keep it red outside with black interior although the interior is in good overall condition and would not be replaced if not for a color change. On the other I hand was thinking black or silver exterior and keeping the red interior. Not planning on selling the car but you never know and I dont want to hurt the value to much. Although the red on red is starting to grow on me.

lewtot184 · Jun 1, 2012

if the car has it's original drivetrain, numbers matching, there is no way on the planet i'd change the color. it would be worth more money as is than changed. if you don't like the red sell the car and get what you want. from a personal perspective i think the car is pretty cool the way it is.

ga66mopar · Jun 1, 2012

I don't think it would hurt the value much but red interior is pretty special.

Driven · Jun 1, 2012

I do like the car and for me I was able to check this car out in person before buying it which was a hugh plus for me. In New England almost impossible to find a rust free car. I have bought several cars over the years without being able to inspect them in person. No matter how many pictures you see and how honest the seller is alot of it comes down to someones opinion as far as condition. My plan right now is to fix some of the little things it needs and drive it through the fall. Then decide over the winter rather to change anything or keep it as is.

HitIt · Jun 1, 2012

Great looking car! I'm liking the red on red but that's jus me, I also like green on green, blue/blue etc.

Lots of people don't mind if the car is painted a different color especially if you are going from brown, green etc. But people love red, ever heard the term Resale Red?

But I think the other value killer is how the color change is done... Mopars unlike chevy have the paint color everywhere and if you don't do the engine compartment, trunk, wheelwells and underside it would be a huge mistake. Cheaper for sure, but it kills what makes these cars what they are. Also blacking all those areas out is just gross.

5.7 hemi · Jun 1, 2012

Numbers matching....it will hurt value some but not as bad if it was a hemi.

Driven · Jun 1, 2012

I have a 66 Belv II body that is rust free but was only a 318. I have had it for long time and was planning on painting it black or silver. I spent the money I had for that project plus sold a few other project cars to buy this car. I think I had spent so long thinking about a black or silver car that its stuck in my mind now. Plus I have a magazine with an article on black on red hemi belv II that looks unreal.

mattsmopars · Jun 1, 2012

There were no VIN stampings on the engine or trans in 67. That did not come about till 1968. So there is no for sure way to say its numbers matching as far as the drivetran goes. As best you can do is it has the correct engine stampings,casting dates, and assembly dates.
Myself I would not do a color change on it no matter what. If it were a satellite and you were making yourself a clone or building a car to your specs I would say paint what ever color you wanted. No matter what from a resale stand point a properly restored car that is back to origianl as possible will always be more in demand than one done to a certain persons taste.
As we all have different taste and what one may like another may not. Some people would not buy a car that has had a color change period due to the high cost to put it back properly.
But with all of that being said it is your car so you need to do what makes you happy with it, as it looks to be a nice car to begin with! Good luck!
Matt

Driven · Jun 1, 2012

I did know that there was no way to tell for sure about the drivetrain but since all the date codes line up with build date. And the guy I bought it from was the 3rd owner and he bought it from his buddy who got it from the original owner I think it is the original drivetrain. I had a guy who did not buy a 66 Coronet because I could not prove to him it was the original drivetrain. But I was the one who told him that it could not be 100% verified.

hunt2elk · Jun 1, 2012

lewtot184 said:
if the car has it's original drivetrain, numbers matching, there is no way on the planet i'd change the color. it would be worth more money as is than changed. if you don't like the red sell the car and get what you want. from a personal perspective i think the car is pretty cool the way it is.

X2

696pack · Jun 1, 2012

It all comes down to what the NEXT buyer thinks. However if he is tuned into the market even if he likes what you have done to alter it he will use the fact that you have changed it against you regarding what he offers.

The cost of repainting and then having to strip and repaint back to original would not be cost effect for this car to most people.

The cost of changing the interior color is less and if you keep the original coverings and they are in nice condition then someone that wants to return it to as original will excape that material cost and will also have the replacement interior to sell for what they can get.

If it were me and I planned to keep the car long enough to warrant the cost I would change the interior color if it bothered me that much. In this example the car is the number 1 exterior color for resale so leave it alone. If it were gold or green then likely it will not hurt the resale if you repainted it a GOOD color like red. Others will argue the purist angle but the buyers market is much larger than the purists.

YY1 · Jun 1, 2012

HitIt said:
Lots of people don't mind if the car is painted a different color especially if you are going from brown, green etc. But people love red, ever heard the term Resale Red?

But I think the other value killer is how the color change is done... Mopars unlike chevy have the paint color everywhere and if you don't do the engine compartment, trunk, wheelwells and underside it would be a huge mistake. Cheaper for sure, but it kills what makes these cars what they are. Also blacking all those areas out is just gross.

Agree- also in my book if the repaint is to an "era correct" color, then it's easier to swallow (IE- don't pint your 67 GTX plum crazy or panther pink).

I also agree that changing the interior is easier/less offensive than changing the exterior.

...and finally, the less "important" the car, the less offensive a color change.
I'm OK wit hchanging a green/green, or actually in FAVOR of changing a yellow/green 318 car to red/white, white/black, blue/blue, black/bronze, what ever.

To each his own, but what's not to like about red/red?

blackblazer717 · Jun 1, 2012

HitIt said:
Great looking car! I'm liking the red on red but that's jus me, I also like green on green, blue/blue etc.

Lots of people don't mind if the car is painted a different color especially if you are going from brown, green etc. But people love red, ever heard the term Resale Red?

But I think the other value killer is how the color change is done... Mopars unlike chevy have the paint color everywhere and if you don't do the engine compartment, trunk, wheelwells and underside it would be a huge mistake. Cheaper for sure, but it kills what makes these cars what they are. Also blacking all those areas out is just gross.

Best written statement on colors in this entire thread. Well put and completely agree

dave5237 · Jun 1, 2012

Hello. I inquired about this years ago when I changed my color. GALEN GOVIER told me it all depends on what color. Mine was gold exterior with green interior. He told me I might decrease the value but would be able to sell it the color black like it is now because not everyone wants a gold and green car but black everyone seems to like.

wannadrag · Jun 1, 2012

If you plan on keeping it till you are gone then it doesnt really matter does it?

daredevil · Jun 1, 2012

I cant stand red interior. Creeps me out. Had a dream about a wreck with blood all over red interior. Save all the interior if you change to black in case next owner wants to go original.Do it your way.

Ron 73 · Jun 1, 2012

The car looks great the way it sits and if it sleeps inside the places you speak of should stay decent and give you enough time to decide if your selling it and want to make some cash or keeping it and then id do what you want to. You are the one driving it, you cant fix it up for pleasing anyone but yourself. Id drive it awhile, see how you feel about it in a few months.

MoparMikey · Jun 1, 2012

First of all, the car looks fantastic as is. As far as value, it doesn't hurt the value so much, the purist wouldn't buy it with a color change, others will pay what it's worth regardless. The point is it might just narrow the available buyers some but doesn't really lower the value. If it was a really ugly orig color it could help to repaint it a more popular one, however yours is a winner as is.

zyzzyx · Jun 1, 2012

Colors

I agree with Mattsmopars, That GTX is a prime model, not a clone or 318 plain jane. They are appreciating in value every year. It's your car, but if you ever sell it people will not pay top-dollar for a non original color. A good complete paint job costs around 10K with the cost of materials going up every month, and you'll never be able to paint every little nook and cranny unless you do it yourself. It's a beautiful car! Good luck with it!

loneagle · Jun 1, 2012

My theory is that its your car enjoy it its not about the next guy if you want to keep the original stuff then remove the red interior and get another interior to install and put the red in storage for originality later but enjoy the car for the fact you own it its yours not there's or his or his value is what you want not what Bob Joe eddy and Tom say its worth you decide to sell it then you ask what you feel its worth book or not yours hello its not up to anybody to decide to he## with the judges and the die yards they don't own it you do have fun enjoy it and its a beautiful piece so be proud and to heck with the critics

How much does a color change hurt value

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