Color change dilemma on my matching #s 69' R/T

[indreams84]

So I have a problem. I bought my dream 69 Charger R/T this year, matching #s 440, buildsheet, very original and clean in its orginial appearance. It is everything I wanted, except the color. The paint job is a very, very nice show quality Y3 cream with black vinyl top/interior. This is how it came from the factory. My problem is I find TX9 black or B5 blue to be what I have always truly wanted. What do I do? I do not want to be sacrilegious but Ifind a black Charger to be the epitomy of badass 

[Daytona R/T SE]

Bust out the sander and get busy.  

[ACUDANUT]

Changing colors ain't no biggie. It's the drivetrain matching numbers that are the hardest to fix. 

[ODZKing]

Hmm, tough one.  Took me a long time to decide to keep it or change it on my 73.
I always say, it's your car do what you want with it. But changing the color on a clealy matching nimbers car ... tough one.
My deciding factor was several things. Mine originally was Bronze ... didn't like it but it was all original. And I would have kept it all that way except for the interior.  That was the deciding. Parchmant was a one year color in 73. To get the color for seat covers from Legendary was 3 times what a simple whit eor black would have been. So I went with white.  And since the vinyl roof had to be changed, (it was not the correct cobra-grain) I thought Bronze, with white gut and black top would have looked stupid.  So I went with white top ... since I have gone THIS far, may as well make a color change.
Weigh everything, think it through and keep in mind, you can change the color anytime but changing it back will cost twice as much.   Just my  

[familymopar]

This is going out on a limb, because I don't know much about it, but have you considered wrapping the car?  Paint underneath stays intact, you can have whatever color you want, and I believe that it is relatively cost effective.  

I have a client who has some super bmw.  He bought it black.  He wanted it white.  I had seen the car a number of times and never noticed anything but one day he told me that the car was actually black and it was wrapped white.  All the jambs, etc. are wrapped and it looks like a white car.  I didn't pop the hood or inspect it too closely, although I'd like to.   But from what I saw I was pretty amazed.

Maybe something to look into anyway.

[indreams84]

I know, and I bought it from a member and I respect the amount of work and pride he put into the car. She's a beauty as is..I just think black or blue would be amazing. I am sure itd be really costly though, considering the stripping down and redoing everything....

[Troy]

Why would you buy a #s matching car with documentation only to change the color? In my opinion you paid a premium for originality and now want to "degrade" the car. Seems a bit foolish. On the other hand, that original color isn't exactly popular... but that makes it very rare when out and about! Honestly, if I were changing colors I'd do it to something that doesn't have any history to it. Since nearly everyone likes black it can't be too hard to find a black Charger for sale. Not a #s matching R/T of course but a black Charger that will very likely have a 440 in it any way. Sell yours and buy one that can be what you want. One year at the Nats there were probably 12-13 black Chargers and none of them came that way originally. I had a factory black one at the time and actually figured I'd have paint it another color just to stand out from the crowd!

Troy

[SRT-440]

I'm sure I'll get slammed by the paint purists...but just have a vinyl wrap put on it...any color you want and then the nice paint underneath will be preserved. It would prolly cost around 2K and will look great. Just a thought.
Otherwise, paint it black and enjoy it! 

[familymopar]

I don't know how long you have had the car but maybe you should live with it a while.  I have posted my story other places so will keep it short here.  My dad and I were looking for another charger before he died.  It HAD to be a 68 RT factory SS1 yellow, black top, black insides.  Not my first choice, but dad wanted the exact car he sold in the 70's (well, he was willing to upgrade to RT).  I wanted a black on black or triple black.  I was going to do yellow because that is what he wanted, but I was secretly disappointed.  And he would not be convinced to go black.  Anyway, he died during the long search.  I stopped searching for a bit.  Then the car WE were looking for popped up.  I was back on the hunt for a 68 but was really looking for a black/black.  I kept looking at that yellow one.  My wife told me I was an idiot, dad was the reason I love the charger, and that there was no other choice.  I bought it.  For the first while I wished it was black.  Would tell people I wished it was black and it would be but for this story.  Then I slowly fell in love with the color.  If I had to pay for a top notch repaint right now it would be the same.  Because it is the original color?  Sure.  But also because I am madly in love with it.  It is beautiful.  I just had to realize it.  I never thought I would love it like I do.  Some of that is because of him, but it is also because it is awesome, less common, original, beautiful.

So I don't know how long you have had the car but it doesn't sound like too long.  Give it some time.  You can always paint it later if you must.  But I bet you just fall in love with it.  And that will keep a somewhat unique color on the road, and save you some cash.

[Troy]

Oh, I forgot a part. As much as I feel these cars are too big for really light colors like white... the body lines (best part of the car!) stand out way more on them than they do on dark colors. As a matter of fact, the body lines all but disappear on a black car - unless it is mirror finish and you're parked next to something light. Black does look sinister but lighter colors really show off the styling.

Troy

[familymopar]

Oh, I forgot a part. As much as I feel these cars are too big for really light colors like white... the body lines (best part of the car!) stand out way more on them than they do on dark colors. As a matter of fact, the body lines all but disappear on a black car - unless it is mirror finish and you're parked next to something light. Black does look sinister but lighter colors really show off the styling.

Troy

This is one of the things I have noticed about my yellow, especially when it is in the presence of a black charger.  It is one of the reasons that my original apprehension reversed so strongly.

I had seen the car a number of times and never noticed anything but one day he told me that the car was actually black and it was wrapped white.  All the jambs, etc. are wrapped and it looks like a white car.  I didn't pop the hood or inspect it too closely, although I'd like to.   But from what I saw I was pretty amazed.

I'm sure I'll get slammed by the paint purists...but just have a vinyl wrap put on it...any color you want and then the nice paint underneath will be preserved. It would prolly cost around 2K and will look great. Just a thought.
Otherwise, paint it black and enjoy it! 

After SRT-440's  and my suggestions about wraps, I did a little looking on the net.  It is apparently not the case that jambs, engine bays, deck lid undersides, etc. get wrapped.  If that wouldn't bother you then no problem.  Or if you just want to spend that amount of money to "try black on".  It would kill me if it were wrapped black but the jambs and all that were still body color.

My client undoubtedly told me the jambs and all were wrapped as well.  I didn't look and took him for his word when I had asked.  So I don't know.  Maybe its possible but from what I am seeing a wrap job that thorough will cost you what a paint job costs (although I guess you would have the added benefit of fully protecting the original color under all that vinyl).  It may be that his car (a new bmw) has smoother sills and such and is more do-able, and his trunk lid is carpeted, etc.  But it seems unlikely from my 10 minutes of research that you find someone to do it, and very unlikely that it would be cost effective.

Just wanted to correct myself.

[indreams84]

Why would you buy a #s matching car with documentation only to change the color? In my opinion you paid a premium for originality and now want to "degrade" the car. Seems a bit foolish. On the other hand, that original color isn't exactly popular... but that makes it very rare when out and about! Honestly, if I were changing colors I'd do it to something that doesn't have any history to it. Since nearly everyone likes black it can't be too hard to find a black Charger for sale. Not a #s matching R/T of course but a black Charger that will very likely have a 440 in it any way. Sell yours and buy one that can be what you want. One year at the Nats there were probably 12-13 black Chargers and none of them came that way originally. I had a factory black one at the time and actually figured I'd have paint it another color just to stand out from the crowd!

Troy

I paid for a premium because I wanted a genuine R/T, documentation, AND the original engine. Feels like the soul of the car is then intact that way. People are correct, the Y3 does get alot of attention the way it is, but I just feel like if it were Q5 or B5, it would be plain gorgeous. Some tones just look like the car was designed for it, seems like the blues, black, and reds fit best.

[Aero426]

Why would you buy a #s matching car with documentation only to change the color? In my opinion you paid a premium for originality and now want to "degrade" the car.

I tend to agree.   But it is your car and your money.    

Some color changes to a more desired color (black) may have a minimal effect on value if done to a high standard.  That will also mean blowing the car completely apart.  

Be prepared for some crazy looks when you tell people.  A future buyer could be turned off.   Ultimately, you only have to answer to you.

[indreams84]

This would not have been an issue if there were more original color R/Ts out there....but there are not. And not in this condition. This is all conjecture at this point, as I could not afford a $10k paint job currently. But still I can hardly see why anyone would question a more high-impact color on an original "vanilla" color R/T, esp if it is not the original paint job itself.

[bill440rt]

Why would you buy a #s matching car with documentation only to change the color? In my opinion you paid a premium for originality and now want to "degrade" the car.

I tend to agree.   But it is your car and your money.    

Some color changes to a more desired color (black) may have a minimal effect on value if done to a high standard.  That will also mean blowing the car completely apart.  

Be prepared for some crazy looks when you tell people.  A future buyer could be turned off.   Ultimately, you only have to answer to you.

I tend to agree with this as well. Some cars are best left alone.
But then again, I happen to think that color combo is beautiful.
Ultimately, it is your car. Just voicing an opinion is all like others.

[Aero426]

But still I can hardly see why anyone would question a more high-impact color on an original "vanilla" color R/T, esp if it is not the original paint job itself.

Lots of people want the flashy colors and cars loaded with options they never had.     In some cases, it wipes away the history of how these cars really were.    Right now, you have a car that actually stands out from the herd, even though it is not exactly the way you would have ordered it.    No, it's not my favorite color either.  

As you do not have the funds currently, you will have some time to think about it and make the right decision for yourself.

[indreams84]

That is an absolutely valid point, especially to  me who is (mostly) a purist and cannot stand DOH cars or poorly done R/T tributes. At any rate, when I see a gorgeous color Charger....it brings out that grass-is-greener mentality.

[Baldwinvette77]

Its not 1969 anymore, just because someone with a taste for beige ordered it that way doesn't mean you have to suffer 

[JB400]

Since this is a car that is perfect for either a collector or a upper end enthusiast (according to your description), I think you have 2 options: settle with what you have, or sell it and get a car that more suits your wants.


I'd at least look around for a few months and see if you could find one in your choice of color that still meets your other requirements before I'd undo someone else's hard work.  Give yourself a deadline to find another car.  If, in that time you don't find another car that meets your requirements and you don't fall in love with its current color, then go ahead and paint yours.  It's nothing that couldn't be put back if the next owner wanted it that color.

Just give yourself plenty of time to make that choice.

[Ghoste]

You should already be buying black paint.

[charge69]

No real dilemma here,  Just paint it the color you want.  However, just so you know, the cost of a paint job back to original color "might" be deducted from any future offers to buy the Charger.  For me, I would not but, it would also give me pause for consideration if it was not the original color!

I said I would never sell mine before it was fully restored and drivable and, despite some very tempting offers, I didn't but, I know I will probably sell it some time in the future and, being the original color (luckily R6 Red) will make it easier.

I guess what I am trying to say is you obviously bought this Charger to enjoy for a long time, not to flip it, so paint it the color you like!

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Paint it the factory aqua color.

[Baldwinvette77]

Paint it the factory aqua color.

Wut O.o Y3 is like cream isnt it?

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Wut O.o Y3 is like cream isnt it?

Are you drinking again or still?

[Baldwinvette77]

Wut O.o Y3 is like cream isnt it?

Are you drinking again or still?

YES I AM 

[70 sublime]

I think it comes down to what are you going to do with the car

Keep it forever and be burried in it

OR

Sell it in a couple of years and find something else interesting

You say the car has been repainted to the original colour so it does not have the original paint still on the car

If you are only going to keep it a short time and move on I think I would leave the colour factory
If you are going to enjoy it for many years paint it the colour you like and let the next guy paint it back if they want

[don duick]

Have you owned a black car before ? I used to like black until I painted my 68 coronet black after 6 months I could not stand the sight of it. Will never have a black car again. It is one of those colors that looks great upon initial sighting really does suit the charger but living with it is another story.

[ws23rt]

My opinion is on the side of leaving the car as is and look for what you want some more. You bought this car for what reason?
There are many non matching/ clone/ whatever cars out there that can be an open canvas for what you want until you finally find the original car of your dreams.

Let's say you came across two cars the color you want. How much extra would you be willing to pay for an original?

This is a question that helps define where we are in the hobby as well as how much money we are willing to spend.

You could pay to get the color you want and diminish the future value of the car some but that is part of the cost of the color change.

Changing the color would however increase the value of the remaining original cars by reducing their number.

I suppose the car could be returned to original color in the future but at a cost. In the end do what moves you with all the information and opinions you can gather.

[Ghoste]

Finding that out now.  Black is the bitchin'-est badass color of all time, when it's clean.  Thing is, it's almost never clean.

[crj1968]

I think it comes down to what are you going to do with the car

Keep it forever and be burried in it

OR

Sell it in a couple of years and find something else interesting

You say the car has been repainted to the original colour so it does not have the original paint still on the car

If you are only going to keep it a short time and move on I think I would leave the colour factory
If you are going to enjoy it for many years paint it the colour you like and let the next guy paint it back if they want

I agree. If this is always going to be YOUR car, then you should do what makes you enjoy it most.  Apocalypse coming soon and all.... 

Personally, I don't think a nice car missing it's original color is going to hurt it's value at all. But the cost of changing the color will likely put you in the red. (not black)      

[indreams84]

Since this is a car that is perfect for either a collector or a upper end enthusiast (according to your description), I think you have 2 options: settle with what you have, or sell it and get a car that more suits your wants.


I'd at least look around for a few months and see if you could find one in your choice of color that still meets your other requirements before I'd undo someone else's hard work.  Give yourself a deadline to find another car.  If, in that time you don't find another car that meets your requirements and you don't fall in love with its current color, then go ahead and paint yours.  It's nothing that couldn't be put back if the next owner wanted it that color.

Just give yourself plenty of time to make that choice.

For those curious, this is my Charger in question....in Q5 or Black it would be a knock out

[Baldwinvette77]

That dont look so bad  , mean yeah would look better in blue or black, but atleast it aint hot pink 

[indreams84]

Someone asked why I got into this hobby.....well it was more of a childhood dream to own a 69' R/T...to have the "real-deal" or a matching #s car that was extremely well-cared for and restored to a high #2, within my budget. This car met all those criteria. I am 29 years old, I could not wait until I was 40 to see if I could afford a "true" black/red/blue R/T that was matching #s as who knows what they will be worth by then.

[Baldwinvette77]

Someone asked why I got into this hobby.....well it was more of a childhood dream to own a 69' R/T...to have the "real-deal" or a matching #s car that was extremely well-cared for and restored to a high #2, within my budget. This car met all those criteria. I am 29 years old, I could not wait until I was 40 to see if I could afford a "true" black/red/blue R/T that was matching #s as who knows what they will be worth by then.

Cool, theres another 29 Y/o here with a 68 project, and im 20 with a charger that makes Cash's psycho-billy caddy look like a production model 

[DAY CLONA]

So I have a problem. I bought my dream 69 Charger R/T It is everything I wanted, except the color. My problem is I find TX9 black to be what I have always truly wanted. What do I do?

Isn't it obvious?...

[Aero426]

Nice lookin' car.     You know, there were some famous Chargers painted that color.

[1970Moparmann]

Finding that out now.  Black is the bitchin'-est badass color of all time, when it's clean.  Thing is, it's almost never clean.

Yep!  My 68 looks great, but it's a pain in the ass.... :

[bill440rt]

For those curious, this is my Charger in question....in Q5 or Black it would be a knock out

It's already a knock-out.

[archie360]

Looks great as is.  I would save my money and enjoy it or sell for a black one.  This is coming for a guy who is returning a 71 SE gunmetal metallic car back to original after three complete repaints (blue, yellow, green).  Striping all that paint is a pain in the arse! 

[jaak]

My opinion is painting it black won't hurt the value. Look at want ads for a 69 Charger R/T. Count how many want a black car....then count how many want Y3. I personally dig Y3.

Not many here buy a car for investment/profit. If it makes you happier to repaint it, repaint it.

Jason

[familymopar]

I am glad you posted the photo.  It is a gorgeous car now.  But to each his own.

[indreams84]

So I have a problem. I bought my dream 69 Charger R/T It is everything I wanted, except the color. My problem is I find TX9 black to be what I have always truly wanted. What do I do?

Isn't it obvious?...

That sir, is why I am torn... I am not lost on the fact the current Y3 cream paint is easily a 9/10...professional job. It is cool to have the Charger as it came from the factory. According to the buildsheet/previous owner, this California Charger was built as a possible fleet vehicle. That would explain the 3 on the tree, A/C, and possibly the Y3 cream haha.

[Troy]

This would not have been an issue if there were more original color R/Ts out there....but there are not. And not in this condition. This is all conjecture at this point, as I could not afford a $10k paint job currently. But still I can hardly see why anyone would question a more high-impact color on an original "vanilla" color R/T, esp if it is not the original paint job itself.

To be completely honest, I doubt you will get a "high #2" black (or any color for that matter) paint job for $10k. The car will need to be completely disassembled/reassembled to do it correctly and, if you're paying someone, that's anywhere from a few weeks to a couple hundred hours depending on how meticulous they are about labeling parts. Depending on your local labor rate, that just ate up your budget and you haven't purchased materials or sprayed anything yet.

I just don't see the point in bragging about originality after deviating from stock in such an obvious way. I do agree that the color change probably won't hurt the selling value of the car too much but I doubt you'll be able to sell it for more than what you just paid so the entire color change process will likely be a net loss. In that vein, would you have bought it with a color change based on your previous criteria? You could very well run off buyers who want original and be overpriced for people who want modified. If you never sell those points are invalid.

What do I know, I couldn't make up my mind about color/options and ended up with 5 Chargers...

Troy

[1972DodgeChargerSE]

So I have a problem. I bought my dream 69 Charger R/T It is everything I wanted, except the color. My problem is I find TX9 black to be what I have always truly wanted. What do I do?

Isn't it obvious?...

That sir, is why I am torn... I am not lost on the fact the current Y3 cream paint is easily a 9/10...professional job. It is cool to have the Charger as it came from the factory. According to the buildsheet/previous owner, this California Charger was built as a possible fleet vehicle. That would explain the 3 on the tree, A/C, and possibly the Y3 cream haha.

I personally don't see how anyone can justify repainting a car with a 9/10 paint job to me that seems like such a waste. It sounds like you plan to keep the charger for a long time I would wait and when it comes time that it needs new paint consider it then. By the way your car is very nice.

[myk]

Sell it and buy a car that is already black or one that needs a new paint job anyway.  But like Troy said, a paint job will cost you, especially if you want it done in black, and done right...

[indreams84]

I waited 20 years for a real R/T restored correctly.....she ain't going anywhere for a long, long time. And in the grand scheme of things, what I paid for it is absolutely a bargain considering what some online (and on here) seem to go for. But I gave the previous owner my word I would treat this car as an ongoing legacy. He himself did not appear disappointed if the color were to be changed. Then again I do respect a purist's view on keeping it "banana pudding". Hey, at least it will NEVER become a DOH clone!

[TUFCAT]

What I'm about to say might sound harsh.

Keep in mind that I've seen this car many, many times at Carlisle before "indreams84" purchased it, and I can say without a doubt its a beautifully restored Charger.  I've always respected the owner for keeping the original color because its different.....BUT....its the worst of the 18 original colors. Period.

That's a shame because its such an honest, well detailed, professionally restored vehicle.  
Here's my answer to your question: Paint it.  Paint the hell out of it!    I believe this color hurts the value far beyond what a "color change" would.

Repainting this car would increase its desireability (and probably your enjoyment since you don't like it) ten fold!!!  Yes folks, even on a numbers matching car.

There, I said it.  

You also may want to rethink black.  Not everybody wants/likes black muscle cars for the high maintenance involved....and your going to pay big, big, bucks for a perfect black paint job.  

[Dreamcar]

Keep it or sell it. The the amount of $$$ you'll get will buy you another. Its summer, they are out and about, so you'll find one. A documented RT that is already restored to that quality...I wouldn't touch it with a paint gun.

[ACUDANUT]

What I'm about to say might sound harsh.

Keep in mind that I've seen this car many, many times at Carlisle before "indreams84" purchased it, and I can say without a doubt its a beautifully restored Charger.  I've always respected the owner for keeping the original color because its different.....BUT....Its the worst of the 18 original colors. Period.

That's a shame because its such an honest, well detailed, professionally restored vehicle.  
Here's my answer to your question: Paint it.  Paint the hell out of it!    I believe this color hurts the value far beyond what a "color change" would.

Repainting this car would increase its desireability (and probably your enjoyment since you don't like it) ten fold!!!  Yes folks, even on a numbers matching car.

There, I said it.  

You also may want to rethink black.  Not everybody wants/likes black muscle cars for the high maintenance involved....and your going to pay bigger big-bucks for a perfect black paint job. 

Diaareia  green and turd brown are the worst colors ever made.

[triple_green]

I agree with Troy.

I love the car and love the color.

You did very well either way!

[Challenger340]

[indreams84]

Challenger340, I definitely know what a B$%^# it is to keep a black car clean...my primary driver is a BMW Dinan 3 coupe in Jet Black and it's a constant battle....but when they are clean they look second to none. Have you had your Charger for a while, I swear I saw one like that for sale recently advertised as all-original (beautiful, btw)?

I do think alot of the fellas on here are possibly in my dad's age bracket (45-55 years old) and he tells me the same as what I have been reading: Sell it, buy another one. But when is the last time you guys saw a very nice 69' documented, matching R/T that is fully restored for under $40k?.....my dad has this early-mid 90s mindset when these cars were more plentiful AND original.

I feel like I will give it a few years before I make any rash changes such as a paint change, especially since this car has never been painted another color besides the one when it rolled off the plant floor.

[TUFCAT]

If you sell it...someone else may repaint it!!! ~~ Just sayin"!

[Ghoste]

Don't you love the "revisiting" with black too.  You can detail it to death and make it glistening perfection and then as you're putting all the cleaning products away accidently touch the top of the fender with you sweaty forearm and boom, you're right back in.  haha
And of course when you hit the sweaty spot with detail spray it just spreads it around and makes the love bigger. 

[Challenger340]

Challenger340,  Have you had your Charger for a while, I swear I saw one like that for sale recently advertised as all-original (beautiful, btw)?

Nope, I've only had mine about a year.... and yes I did investigate re-selling it right after I purchased it to ascertain "actual" value.
At my age... because I never planned on acquiring another classic car... it literally just "dropped in my Lap out of the blue one day".... it is part of succession planning to ensure value of anything I may leave behind... and "assets" are only "worth", what someone is willing to actually PAY in a given market.
I am satisfied now, that I paid far less than market value, a good asset, and more importantly so is the wife !

Yes, it is all original, with the exception of an exterior re-paint in 1984, with very minimal bodywork required at that time. No rust... never was, trunk and all panels are original as well, and I can't believe how well the original 440 Magnum runs for having never been rebuilt, or out of the Car since new.

It's good that you own a BLACK Car already, and understand the maintenance with cleaning ? just thought I would mention it. 

[tan top]

  awesome looking charger  in Y3 & black

   think you would be Crazy to do a color change  ,
to  change the color & do it properly , its not a 5 minute job even if the existing body & paint are arrow straight , its a complete strip down & every thing taken off or out   .

think Y3 with black top & interior , is a really striking color combo ,
 but so is black    actually all the color combos on a 69 are awesome in their own way, I know  what you mean having your heart set on a black charger , when I was looking for mine , it had to be a R/T in Y2 yellow & black top /interior   , nothing else would do   but that was 25 plus years ago ! things are some what different now !  to find the exact charger in the color combo you want with in budget .
 10 years ago I would always say , paint it what ever the fender tag says    ! but  lifes too short ,  if its black you want ! paint it black ,  do what ever makes you happy   , still don't think its a good idea on your particular charger though , if it was a rotted out wreck needing a resto & had every thing missing etc  maybe do a color change, !!    

[HeavyFuel]

Someone asked why I got into this hobby.....well it was more of a childhood dream to own a 69' R/T...to have the "real-deal" or a matching #s car that was extremely well-cared for and restored to a high #2, within my budget. This car met all those criteria. I am 29 years old, I could not wait until I was 40 to see if I could afford a "true" black/red/blue R/T that was matching #s as who knows what they will be worth by then.

I waited 20 years for a real R/T restored correctly.....she ain't going anywhere for a long, long time.

Damn, do I feel like an underachiever.   

At nine years old, I was still waiting for my first pube to show up, not jonesing for a numbers musclecar....