Just wondering what you folks think about the factory color options as far as doing a body color change? I mean some folks are like whatever the owner wants. Some are like as long as you use the color that was factory for that year. And then some are like it should be the original factory color. I realize that it's my truck and I can repaint it any color I wish. But it is somewhat important to me what the general consensus is. I always try to look @ things as if I ever were to sell what would be the most appealing. I must be honest that I do not care for the current color. I was looking over the 66 factory color code chart and see about 6 or 7 other colors I like better. @ first I wasn't going to repaint the truck and still may not. But I do plan to fix any rust and the bottom of the doors are pretty rough which would require I do something. I certainly don't want to ride around looking like an army truck with different color primer and paint. I really like the patina look as well but again with making rust repairs that will be hard to do.

What do you folks think? The truck is already modified with roof painted white. I am pretty sure they were all one color and not two toned like mine.

Personally I really like the new Ford machine grey that is out. I think that would look sharp on this style truck.

 

The purists out there stick with the tag color. But when the tag has no color id you can go for it. Personally I would stick with Ford colors. I have a 65 Ranger on jack stands now that has no color code and I am thinking of a GC or GM combo. This was popular on the 66 Broncos.
G; Chrome Yellow
C; Pure White
M; Wimdeldon White

 

Man I think that would look sharp. Thank you for your input...

 

Your choice of colors will directly effect how good your body work is going to have to be. I went with Wimbledon white even though the truck was originally a special order red. Mainly because it doesn't show my screwup's, and it still looks pretty good when it's dirty. Also no AC so it helps in the summer.

 

If your truck is rare and in good condition, changing the color will generally cause it to lose value. If it was a belly button work truck, it won't matter and could actually improve the re-sell value. Then there is the practical use question like Crop Duster's case. Some colors are much more expensive than others, namely red. Black requires extensive body work to hide any flaws. Only you can decide what your goals are and what would best meet your needs.

 

I’m not sure any of these trucks are “rare.” My 63 was originally white and I’m going to change it to Arcadian or Wind blue.
My 72 was originally two-tone Bahama blue and wind blue, I’m changing that one to Grabber blue. I also don’t believe a color change, if done correctly, would hurt the value of the truck.

 

My truck was originally Wimbledon White and just too boring. While certainly not a fan of green, that's what the interior was and didn't want to change it. With only 2 choices of green for exterior, wound up going with Caribean Turquoise and WW. Glad I did. IMHO, these trucks look best 2 tone and mine gets compliments everywhere I go.

 

All 1965 and 1966 two tone Ford trucks used M as one of the colors so you wouldn't find a GC color code out there. You're choice of course.

 

How many '65/66 two tone short bed Rangers with a V8 and 4 speed have you come across in your life? If it had low mileage would that be enough to admit it was rare? What about rare options like power steering or brakes? Do you see slicks in the parking lot at work every day? The grocery store? Any slick on the road is a rare sight today.

Different people buy these trucks for different reasons. I was willing to pay a premium for the right combination in very good original condition. If it had a $10,000 custom paint job, I probably wouldn't have looked at it twice, but someone else might have fallen in love with it. What something is worth always depends on what someone is willing to pay.

 

Well I live in California so there’s a lot of old trucks here.
They're trucks. It’s not like it’s an S Code Fastback Mustang.
Like you said, people buy trucks for different reasons. I’m more apt to spend money on an upgraded truck. My 63 is ugly as hell right now and I wouldn’t sell it for $20K.

 

Another thing to consider...
None of the original colors can be mixed exactly like they were in the '60s due to the modern pigments and bases available.
So what you see on an old chip or an actually original truck may now come out just a little different. And base coat/clear coats will look just a little different than single stage jobs... That little subtle difference may be just enough to make you love it or hate it. Even cheap paint now is a huge expense; 2x worse if its a red! If you see a current model car driving around with a color that you like,, you can be pretty sure the paint mix will be exactly what you saw in person and in natural light, and a mix formula is available.
New paint always brings a smile - go for it!

 

My opinion is original will always be worth more than something never offered. Paint it Panther Pink and 20 years from now it won't be worth what something with original color paint is. Especially if it is the color on the tag. When I restored mine I wanted a red truck. Then I put a lot of thought into it and stayed with the original color. Glad I did. Same truck Resto and original version

 

Also, rare does not necessarily mean valuable. My wife drives a red 1988 Sunbird convertible. 70k original miles. Since owning it, have not seen another on the road, ever. Got it for a song, and she wouldn't sell it for 10x what we paid. Hard to put a worth on it though.

 

What about Don's '65 F250 Camper Special that had CM for its COLOR code?

Pure White & Wimbledon White!

 

We all want to see that one. We'll need photographs of the truck and data plate, or, um...
Eric