coral red revisited

[Studenut]

Some time ago I asked for advice in obtaining a modern paint color that would match the famous '53 coral red, the original color of my coupe. I can't have some spot such as the inside of the gas door scanned as the car was repainted once with a brand-X red.
A couple of you suggested calling DuPont to obtain a modern paint code, which I did. My restorer obtained a sample, but it doesn't look right. It is too "rusty" rather than the orange tone of the original coral red. There seemed to be no cars at Omaha painted with this color.
So, my new question is: Is there anyone out there with a coral red that they are satisfied with? If so, I would certainly appreciate any information you could give as to what modern paint color was used.

Thank you,

Jerry Buck
Racine, Wisconsin
'53 Champion Coupe - C (owned since 1956)
'61 Lark VI Convertible

[JDP]

I had the same issue when I painted my Golden Hawk using the Dupont info. It was not the same color I had seen at meets until I sat next to a car with factory paint, then it was damn close. I'd bet 90% of the show cars are painted "close" to factory.


64 Commander 2 dr.
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk (Black) #2
63 Avanti R1
63 Daytona convert
63 Lark 2 door
63 Lark 2 door #2
62 Daytona HT/ 4 speed
62 Lark 2 door
62 GT Hawk 4 speed
60 Lark HT
60 Hawk
59 3E truck
52 Starliner
51 Commander

[JDP]

I had the same issue when I painted my Golden Hawk using the Dupont info. It was not the same color I had seen at meets until I sat next to a car with factory paint, then it was damn close. I'd bet 90% of the show cars are painted "close" to factory.


64 Commander 2 dr.
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk (Black) #2
63 Avanti R1
63 Daytona convert
63 Lark 2 door
63 Lark 2 door #2
62 Daytona HT/ 4 speed
62 Lark 2 door
62 GT Hawk 4 speed
60 Lark HT
60 Hawk
59 3E truck
52 Starliner
51 Commander

[stude freak]

Studenut,I dont know if you have a friendly guy at a parts house that does paint .But if you do ask him about mixing you up a small batch to test.He might help you.
I usually mix my own paint at the shop i been doing business with for 30 years.Try to be there with him to tell him what you want.I would start with vemillion red and add some yellow and white. might help might not.

David Baggett Mantachie,Ms.

[stude freak]

Studenut,I dont know if you have a friendly guy at a parts house that does paint .But if you do ask him about mixing you up a small batch to test.He might help you.
I usually mix my own paint at the shop i been doing business with for 30 years.Try to be there with him to tell him what you want.I would start with vemillion red and add some yellow and white. might help might not.

David Baggett Mantachie,Ms.

[studeclunker]

What about some paint chips? couldn't they scan off of those? I see original paint charts (with chips) for sale on e-bay all the time. Lately there's been a flood of them.


Lotsa Larks!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[studeclunker]

What about some paint chips? couldn't they scan off of those? I see original paint charts (with chips) for sale on e-bay all the time. Lately there's been a flood of them.


Lotsa Larks!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[Studenut]

I have a paint chip chart, and the coral red looks pretty good even though it is so old. But supposedly it is too small to scan accurately, and the result was worse than the Dupont code produced, certainly not the same color as the chip.


Jerry Buck
Racine, Wisconsin
'53 Champion Coupe - C (owned since 1956)
'61 Lark VI Convertible

[Studenut]

I have a paint chip chart, and the coral red looks pretty good even though it is so old. But supposedly it is too small to scan accurately, and the result was worse than the Dupont code produced, certainly not the same color as the chip.


Jerry Buck
Racine, Wisconsin
'53 Champion Coupe - C (owned since 1956)
'61 Lark VI Convertible