Does changing color affect value?

I am starting to look at paint and bodywork options for my 1970 Wildcat,
and I just reconfirmed that the paint code listed on the build plate is 68;
Burnished Saddle Iridescent - essentially a warm brown.

I was looking through the paint chips and I decided that I really like the Emerald Mist,
although it was a Riviera-only color in 1970. My car has a white top and white pearl
vinyl upholstery, so I think green/white combo would look good on my car.

I was wondering if changing the paint from its original factory color to a non-standard
color would affect the value of the car.

I would appreciate any insight.

 

If it's done correctly and a desirable color then no it does not IMO, especially on a less main stream ride like yours, not implying that yours isnt valuable or important by no means, but it's not like changing the color on a matching number stage 1 car or something equivalent. I say unless it's factory paint in good condition go for it. Gulfstream or stratomist blue looks amazing on white btw

 

You will get all kinds of opinions, I am a purist and if looking for a 70 Wildcat and yours was restored perfectly but with a color change I wouldn't consider it. There are just as many that would not care that it is a color change. Some don't mind a color change if it was an available color for the same year but Emerald wouldn't have been an option unless it was an SCO (Special Order) so that would be a major hit if you ever wanted to take it through formal judging. All that said, it's your car and do what you want. i would say 70 Wildcats convertibles are collectible enough and stand a good chance of even becoming more so, so color could play a major role in value at some point down the line.

 

Spot on.........in my opinion, (what ever that's worth) LOL

 

As previously stated, it all depends on the car. I've seen some color changed cars run through the auctions for big $$$. My wife's '71 Z/28RS is non-numbers matching so I told her to pick a color. The original was Rosewood, no stripes. She chose Hugger Orange, White stripes. On this car, I feel, that when the time comes that we sell it, the car will draw more than if we had kept the color original.

 

Common sense aplenty in this thread.

I would add, that in my case:

I don't do anything with the other guy in mind.

I don't own anything for its ''resale'' value.

My car only gets judged by me.

As a Wildcat freak, I would love to see/buy any 1970 that looked good. I would not be checking paint codes.

I admire the guys and gals that have the time and $$$$$$ and sheer fastidiousness to go concours. But that's not me.

To each, their own.

 

I agree with Jason and others here in that unless you have a particularly rare and desirable model a paint color change will not affect value, in fact it may even increase it. Case in point is my 64 Wildcat convertible. OE color combo was tan body, medium saddle interior, and light saddle top. I wouldn't have given it a look as original. The seller repainted in the 64 dark blue metallic which works well with the saddle top and interior, IMO, and really makes the car pop, based on feedback I get from the public.

 

Agree with this. I used to think color matching the body tag was best for value but that was years ago after seeing countless cars repainted from a boring factory color to a period correct and especially a color originally offered on same year and model. I watched sale after sale on beautiful factory correct "blah" boring colored cars struggle to sell on ebay and also in the big auctions when high end color-changed cars to something thats eye-popping sell for way more than its perceived value. I finally had to admit my thinking was flawed. We have all seen killer color cars riddled with issues sell for way too much money on ebay because the rose colored glasses go on buyers when they get googly-eyed seeing a nice color.

While these specific make forums tend to attract enthusiasts that are more serious about authenticity and concerned about numbers matching, in the vast majority of the car buying world, people buy classic cars based on how nice its going to look in their garage or driveway to show off to their friends. When a car really pops with high curb appeal, that attracts more buyers which provides the best opportunity for highest market value.

This comes from me, a lifelong authentic numbers person.

Pick a color that was available in your make and model year if possible. As long as its a color with excellent curb appeal and GOES WITH YOUR COLOR interior you will be much further ahead when it comes time to sell. Also as Hugger said I think with your model, picking a period correct Buick color like 1970 emerald mist even though it wasn't a same year Wildcat color is going to help lots over the factory color not to mention you won't have to regretfully look at the car everyday wishing you had changed the original color to something more pleasing. Emerald mist is a stunning color with white interior. That color especially with chrome road wheels would be make the car ooze curb appeal.

The 66 Riv in my avatar was originally a light gold factory color which to me personally was a blah earth tone typical of the time period. Now its 66 Riv shadow turquoise. This is 1 of 179 factory dual quad cars built so by most standards its desirable and rare so changing color required a couple years of careful research. I am 200% glad I changed the color.

 

Bingo!! A brown car almost always looks better in blue (just an example) but don't make the mistake of painting it some late model electric blue that you'll probably get tired of later and one that no one else in the world will ever want it. It's already been mentioned not to worry about resale value, but still....... Back in the 80s I saw quite a few early Chevelles get painted the aqua colors that came on the mid-late 80s Cavalier and Camaro. Maybe cool at the moment but after that fad wore off they couldn't get rid of the cars if they wanted to.

 

One thing to keep in mind. Code 68 was a Buick exclusive color. I can tell you doing several concours that I never got more question and attention then my code 68 convertible got. In fresh metallic it's a very rich color and doesn't look like every other color changed red car out there.
If nothing else do a spray out, and see if it changes your mind.

DL

 

Unfortunately Buicks don't command the prices like a fully restored NOPAR. So I don't think it's going to bother a person who's looking to buy a restored car.

In my opinion, as long as it was a color that was available on the car when it was new, no harm no foul. Good luck with it.

 

My '72 GS, from the factory, was flame orange + black vinyl top + sandlewood bucket seat interior. A future owner changed the exterior to silver. The 4th owner changed the exterior to fire red.
As the 5th owner, I changed the interior to black, repainted the car fire red + new black vinyl roof. I like my colours much better than the originals.

 

I think it only hurts them when you paint them lemon yellow and lime green ............and write skittles on the door.

 

Please refer here to the following Flow chart:

Green car-red
Tan/Gold/Brown car-black
Silver/Light blue car-dark blue or black
White car-red or black

For maximum return on investment red with black stripes and black interior with a splash of extra bling...

Seriously, consider Aqua Mist Poly code 34. FWIW the "right" color change will increase value in most circumstances (see above post) but going to Emerald, honestly, that's probably a wash. However, it is your ride and life is short!

 

FWIW and thats not much I say paint it the color you might have bought if you ordered it new. Thats what i did. Its your car and I say do it the way you want. The color will notg affect the value unless as mentioned you were doing a GSX or Stage 1 convertible. I also second the idea of a available color but even that wont mean much the wrong color is the wrong color to a picky investor. A car guy wants a color that looks good to his eye