Colour Changes

Anyone have any opinions on the validity/ importance or otherwise of colour changes. I'm looking for a 400 or 412 and am finding that quite a high proportion have had a change, usually to red. I know it can be an issue as regards value but is a car that was blue and is now the more popular colour red,less valuable or more as it is potentially more saleable?

 

Tom,

Im no expert, but im currently looking for a GT4, yet im only intersted in ones that are still the same colour that they left the factory in!

If a car is resprayed a different colour it automatically takes away its originality, not to mention probably having the original colour under the interior door panels etc.

I want a car that is as original as possible, including the colour, and not one thats had a colour change and therefore im assuming that when i get one and come to sell it id get more interest in it if its not been resprayed a different colour!

 

Depends what you want the car for. If you want to win concours events, then the paint needs to match the label. If you just want to enjoy driving the car, the paint colour will not affect performance in any way!

If your aim is the latter, I suggest you use the respray as a negotiating point in price discussions.

My own 400 is in the original silver - and I prefer it that way because it doesn't stand out too much. But then I'm an understated kinda guy!

James

 

Points taken and I have to say I have no particular preference for colour but you've answered my question and it does have a bearing on price. (but how much!?)

 

Ive found that it isnt a barganing point at all, quite the opposite in fact, because all the seller tells you is that because its now Ferrari red instead of blue its acually worth more, not less, as everyone wants a red Ferrari!

 

Tom

Similar comments to the others.. You can assume that most 20 plus year old cars have had a respray (or two) by now.. Some ferrari owners I know have had full colour changes, but we are talking about "full" ie the car completly stripped to a bare shell with no traces of the original colour left.. In most cases a same colour respray would only be on the visible panels... I reckon you get what you pay for and if you view a car that looks mint and there are no traces of the previous colour.. whats the issue? buy on condition!!
If you ever resell the car don't mention or advertise that it has had a colour change.. (unless they ask).. it's not like you are hiding any thing major...

Just my 2 cents...

Rod

 

I agree, if you buy a colour changed car it must have had a FULL respray, not just on the bits you can see!

But one of my first questions now is.....

"IS THIS ITS ORIGINAL COLOUR?"

The more origainal a car is the higher price it should command!

But then im more fussy than most!

 

If it were a newish car I would not be interested if it had a colour change.
However 20 years plus? surely condition is more important than a colour change that can not be detected?

 

Agreed again, but im still to find a colour changed GT4 where theres no trace of its original colour!

 

Just get a body kit for the X/19, A decent paint job and bob's ur uncle.. 14k still in the bank.. it's styled be Bertone..(with a Geordie twang)!!

 

canny idea bonny lad

 

Believe it or not but im onto my 3rd and best X1/9.

I searched for 3 years for this one and its a belter!

Still fancy a GT4 though!

 

It's strange how one still remembers seeing the first model of a car.. I still remember seeing my first ever X/19... it must have been circ 1977? when I was about 11/12 years old. It was driving along the bottom road in North shields.. I was with a group of mates and we were all chasing after it.. I'm still the same now when I see an exotic machine ..

 

You find all the best cars on Tyneside!!!!!!

 

All the 40 to 50 year olds run after them now if they see one and say never i thought they all rotted it cant be a x19 can it
I had a lido ltd edition it just rotted away in 2 years

 

Yep, my first 2 went that way but this current one is a minter, absolutely no rust anywhere, totally original, never repainted, 21,000 miles with perfect alcantara trim.....Ii searched the length and breadth of this country for 3 years and eventually found this one.....12 miles away....typical!

 

serves me right for asking an innocent question about colour changes on a 412 I guess!

 

Sorry Tom,

Its turned into X1/9 Chat!

 

When I bought my gt4 it was blue. I found out that the original colour was silver after speaking to the first owner. 25 litres of paintstripper later (full bare metal respray)it is now yellow. I contemplated for a long time on which colour to paint it original/red or something different. I am glad I painted it yellow as I think that the gt4 looks better in this colour and the shape looks more modern. But I am biased as my favourite colour is yellow, would love a yellow 348 or testarossa.

 

I agree. Yellow is a great Ferrari colour. I'd love to see a 412 in Giallo Fly

 

Were you up in Northumberland during the summer driving along the Roman Wall (not literally of course)......i saw a yellow GT4 scream past me just near Chollerford!

 

sorry it was'nt me, mines been off the road this summer(engine rebuild) use the bike to get my fix. Glad to see another yellow gt4 out there can't be that many in this colour in UK.