Paint: Speedster paint and trim codes

[64studeavanti]

Two of the speedsters i have are white and gray according to the production orders. One is paint code 2677 and the other is 2637. I believe 2637 is pimlico gray and congo ivory. What is the other? Additionally, both have congo ivory leather. One code is 8282 CI LEA and the other is 8299 CI LEA. Are these the same? Did they change codes mid stream? Enquiring minds want to know!

[Dwain G.]

2637 is the code for the combination of Congo Ivory and Pimlico Gray. 2677 is Shasta White and Pimlico. Not certain on the trim codes, but I think the 8282 probably goes with the Congo-Pimlico car and has Rangoon Red carpet. The 8299 goes with the Shasta-Pimlico car and has Pimlico Gray carpet.

[64studeavanti]

Thanks,
I believe you hit it right on the head. The white on the 2677 car is quite a bit brighter. The upholstery seems to be identical. I did not think to check carpet. The carpets in both cars are quite worn and dirty. I will look under the seats to find cleaner samples.

[64studeavanti]

Is there a paint and trim code reference available?

[riversidevw]

Thanks,
I believe you hit it right on the head. The white on the 2677 car is quite a bit brighter. The upholstery seems to be identical. I did not think to check carpet. The carpets in both cars are quite worn and dirty. I will look under the seats to find cleaner samples.

If an early model originally had the Rangoon Red carpet, the steel frame for the front seat was typically red. Also came originally with a red automatic trans inspection cover on the floor tunnel. I didn't figure this out alone... Rene Harger gave me a brief telephone tutorial.

[64studeavanti]

The seat frames are painted to match the carpet. The 8282 trim car has red seat frame, transmission cover and very dirty red carpet. I also have a lemon lime one with green seat frame and green carpet. The one that should have gray carpet has a dirty orange/red carpet. I suppose it could have been changed. It does have a black or dark gray seat frame.

I sure wish we had an authenticity guide!

[riversidevw]

The seat frames are painted to match the carpet. The 8282 trim car has red seat frame, transmission cover and very dirty red carpet. I also have a lemon lime one with green seat frame and green carpet. The one that should have gray carpet has a dirty orange/red carpet. I suppose it could have been changed. It does have a black or dark gray seat frame.

I sure wish we had an authenticity guide!

So do I! We are spoiled by Frank and the 56J projects.

Harger provided the replacement Rangoon Red carpet for my Pimlico/Congo car. Nice.

So you have three Speedsters? Do any of your cars have original paint? Have been hoping to sort out some of the details, such as paint colors on the firewall, paint vs primer in the trunk. Restored cars appearing in auctions and eBay vary a lot, seems to be a bunch of improvising.

Gil

[64studeavanti]

The Pimlico/Congo car appears to be original paint, the a pillars, b pillars, door edges, trunk and engine bay are pimlico gray. The wheels seem to be ivory. The lemon lime has been repainted on the exterior with the trim areas masked off. Similar to the first, the pillars, door edges, engine bay and trunk areas appear to be the original yellow. The wheels are green with a red stripe around the bead area. I am guessing that the red stripe was added later. I believe the gray/white car is a complete repaint - so I don't think we can judge anything by that. I will look to see if I can find some original painted areas on that car.

FWIW, all are South Bend Cars. None of the cars I have are painted like the one on ebay with the door edges painted two tone.

Maybe we can pick Rene's brain a little and start compiling a guide.

[studegary]

FWIW, all are South Bend Cars. None of the cars I have are painted like the one on ebay with the door edges painted two tone.

I do not believe that Studebaker two-toned any of the door edges on these cars.

I have only owned one 1955 Speedster, but have worked on others. A friend owned three 1955 Speedsters at one time. What I thought was unusual for his three was that two had power windows.

[riversidevw]

The one that should have gray carpet has a dirty orange/red carpet. I suppose it could have been changed. It does have a black or dark gray seat frame.

I sure wish we had an authenticity guide!

If it's the same sort of low cut-pile carpet as the others, that strange "dirty orange/red carpet" might possibly be the original. Gray fabrics can turn strange shades of brownish, pinkish tones with advanced fading. Rug doesn't sound like a candidate for preservation at any rate.

Thanks for the detailed info on your original paint scemes!

Gil