Original 289 colors?

[Newsnake]

What were the original colors that were used on 289 racers and roadsters?

Thanks

[1985 CCX]

Credit to Jim Maxwell

[Nedsel]

That's a nice AC color chart, but it dates from the Brian Angliss era, and has colors that were never used on the 60's 289 Cobras. Some may have been used on the cars they built for the UK market, but weren't standard colors for Shelby's cars.

[BBQCYCLEWERKES]

I thought the very 1st Cobras only came in 2 colors. White with Guardsman Blue stripes or Guardsman Blue with white stripes. Have I been incorrect all this time?

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by BBQCYCLEWERKES

I thought the very 1st Cobras only came in 2 colors. White with Guardsman Blue stripes or Guardsman Blue with white stripes. Have I been incorrect all this time?

You are indeed incorrect. No street cars came with stripes. The comp cars were mostly shipped unpainted, although I think some of the early ones were shipped painted black or red.

These are I.C.I. paint codes. The Rosso Chiaro formula is in the PPG Nexa system, which is how I got it for my car. They formulated it as a two-stage. I remember asking about some other codes but they couldn't find them in the system; not sure which ones, although one was probably Ruby Red.

AC1 Guardsman Blue 4424m Single stage urethane, c262b Base/Clear
AC2 Dark Blue fg47 single stage
AC3 Mist Silver 6182m single stage
AC4 Ruby Red 6192m single stage
AC5 Canary Yellow fg38
AC6 Lt. Green 5302m single stage, 5vf9b Base/Clear
AC8 Rosso Chiaro fg39 single stage
AC9 Pure White fg46 single stage
AC11 Mushroom 6189m single stage
AC12 Vineyard Green ej29 single stage
AC13 Live Oak 6188m single stage
AC14 Sand 6190m single stage
AC15 Princess Blue 6191m single stage

[gmonsen]

Originally Posted by jeffy

You are indeed incorrect. No street cars came with stripes. The comp cars were mostly shipped unpainted, although I think some of the early ones were shipped painted black or red.

These are I.C.I. paint codes. The Rosso Chiaro formula is in the PPG Nexa system, which is how I got it for my car. They formulated it as a two-stage. I remember asking about some other codes but they couldn't find them in the system; not sure which ones, although one was probably Ruby Red.

AC1 Guardsman Blue 4424m Single stage urethane, c262b Base/Clear
AC2 Dark Blue fg47 single stage
AC3 Mist Silver 6182m single stage
AC4 Ruby Red 6192m single stage
AC5 Canary Yellow fg38
AC6 Lt. Green 5302m single stage, 5vf9b Base/Clear
AC8 Rosso Chiaro fg39 single stage
AC9 Pure White fg46 single stage
AC11 Mushroom 6189m single stage
AC12 Vineyard Green ej29 single stage
AC13 Live Oak 6188m single stage
AC14 Sand 6190m single stage
AC15 Princess Blue 6191m single stage

I'm trying to identify the right color for my ERA 289 slabside. The color seems to be the Ruby Red mentioned above or the AC light maroon metallic. Back in high school there was a new one in maroon with black interior in the local Ford dealer and I have dreamed about it ever since. However, I haven't found any reference in any book so far to it ever being offered in this maroon color. Also, the AC color chart shows a maroon metallic and I can't remember if the car still in my dreams was metallic or not. It was 50 years ago. Any help or comments or direction would be great.

Gordon

[Silversmith]

Originally Posted by gmonsen

I'm trying to identify the right color for my ERA 289 slabside. The color seems to be the Ruby Red mentioned above or the AC light maroon metallic. Back in high school there was a new one in maroon with black interior in the local Ford dealer and I have dreamed about it ever since. However, I haven't found any reference in any book so far to it ever being offered in this maroon color. Also, the AC color chart shows a maroon metallic and I can't remember if the car still in my dreams was metallic or not. It was 50 years ago. Any help or comments or direction would be great.

Gordon

One of the AC Cobras my buddy had was a slab side 289, CSX 2374 if I remember. It was metallic maroon in color. That was a little rocketship stoplight to stoplight! With a 411 in the rear end, she was a absolute terror and a blast! While a slabside like CSX 2058. Sitting next to each other, CSX 2374's fenders extended out further than 2058's allowing for a little more rubber, even though both were slabsides. But I also remember CSX 2374's color. It wasn't the strongest or deep metallic maroon color; actually it was on the slightly lighter side. But I do remember that color well.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by Silversmith

One of the AC Cobras my buddy had was a slab side 289, CSX 2374 if I remember. It was metallic maroon in color. That was a little rocketship stoplight to stoplight! With a 411 in the rear end, she was a absolute terror and a blast! While a slabside like CSX 2058. Sitting next to each other, CSX 2374's fenders extended out further than 2058's allowing for a little more rubber, even though both were slabsides. But I also remember CSX 2374's color. It wasn't the strongest or deep metallic maroon color; actually it was on the slightly lighter side. But I do remember that color well.

Approximately .5" wider flare to the later cars with the switch from 5.5" Dunlop wheels to 6" Dunlop wheels.

[gmonsen]

Originally Posted by Silversmith

One of the AC Cobras my buddy had was a slab side 289, CSX 2374 if I remember. It was metallic maroon in color. That was a little rocketship stoplight to stoplight! With a 411 in the rear end, she was a absolute terror and a blast! While a slabside like CSX 2058. Sitting next to each other, CSX 2374's fenders extended out further than 2058's allowing for a little more rubber, even though both were slabsides. But I also remember CSX 2374's color. It wasn't the strongest or deep metallic maroon color; actually it was on the slightly lighter side. But I do remember that color well.

Well, I found in a book I bought in 1965, The Cobra Story by Shelby himself talking to John Bentley published by Trident, that in 1964 it was offered in "red, maroon,white, black, bright blue, princess blue, and silver". That Metallic Merlot looks about as close as I've seen to what I remember.

What I don't remember is whether the maroon Cobra I saw in the showroom was metallic or not. It was really nice looking, but, as a 17 year old, I didn't focus and don;t remember whether it was metallic or not. In my dreams, it isn't metallic. I'm wondering whether its not Jaguar Imperial Maroon (JAG302). That color was British, was available at the time, and AC cars would have had access to it at the time. There were not many paint variations offered in 1965.

Gordon

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Silversmith

One of the AC Cobras my buddy had was a slab side 289, CSX 2374 if I remember. It was metallic maroon in color. That was a little rocketship stoplight to stoplight! With a 411 in the rear end, she was a absolute terror and a blast! While a slabside like CSX 2058. Sitting next to each other, CSX 2374's fenders extended out further than 2058's allowing for a little more rubber, even though both were slabsides. But I also remember CSX 2374's color. It wasn't the strongest or deep metallic maroon color; actually it was on the slightly lighter side. But I do remember that color well.

The name of the color on CSX2374 is Rouge Iris.

[Nedsel]

Originally Posted by BBQCYCLEWERKES

I thought the very 1st Cobras only came in 2 colors. White with Guardsman Blue stripes or Guardsman Blue with white stripes. Have I been incorrect all this time?

The first 100 + Cobras only came in red, black, or white. CSX 2104 was the first car to break the trend, and it was Guardsman Blue.

[Silversmith]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

The first 100 + Cobras only came in red, black, or white. CSX 2104 was the first car to break the trend, and it was Guardsman Blue.

Very strange! As I know csx 2058 (#58 built)(260cid) was Brit Green. It was one of only two 260 AC's with the louvered hood option. If it was repainted. Some one took the original paint all the way down to the bondo coat before painting it Brit Green. During the time I was around 2058 in the later 60's, early 70's, there were paint chips going all the way down to the bondo coat. There was no other original color showing other than a primer base. Red if I remember. I do remember 2058 had a factory installed one gallon peach can cut to form an air duct under the hood to the cockpit.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Silversmith

Very strange! As I know csx 2058 (#58 built)(260cid) was Brit Green. It was one of only two 260 AC's with the louvered hood option. If it was repainted. Some one took the original paint all the way down to the bondo coat before painting it Brit Green. During the time I was around 2058 in the later 60's, early 70's, there were paint chips going all the way down to the bondo coat. There was no other original color showing other than a primer base. Red if I remember. I do remember 2058 had a factory installed one gallon peach can cut to form an air duct under the hood to the cockpit.

The Registry shows that 2058 was repainted 1966 Corvette Moss Green and an upholstery change to black vinyl. The car resided in NJ at the time.

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by BBQCYCLEWERKES

I thought the very 1st Cobras only came in 2 colors. White with Guardsman Blue stripes or Guardsman Blue with white stripes. Have I been incorrect all this time?

According to Trevor Legate on page 58 of " Cobra, The First 40 Years ", .... " Cobra's were initially offered with a colour choice of red or white but customer demand soon saw the introduction of black, blue, green, silver and burgundy...red and white remained the most popular " Since the first 75 cars were 260 ci it begs the question of what was the colour of the original 289's....my understanding is that they all came painted from the factory. Who knows ? Someone knows... but part the fun of the Cobra Legend is arguing about it.. edited to add that the 5 FIA cars were shipped in primer..

[Nedsel]

Originally Posted by Bartruff1

According to Trevor Legate on page 58 of " Cobra, The First 40 Years ", .... " Cobra's were initially offered with a colour choice of red or white but customer demand soon saw the introduction of black, blue, green, silver and burgundy...red and white remained the most popular " Since the first 75 cars were 260 ci it begs the question of what was the colour of the original 289's....my understanding is that they all came painted from the factory. Who knows ? Someone knows... but part the fun of the Cobra Legend is arguing about it..

Who knows? The registry knows! And it lists the color of each car. Which pretty much slows down the arguing.

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Who knows? The registry knows! And it lists the color of each car. Which pretty much slows down the arguing.

Thats right...I stand corrected...they do a great job..

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by Bartruff1

...they do a great job..

Especially the guy who actually collects all that data.

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by Newsnake

What were the original colors that were used on 289 racers and roadsters?

Thanks

.....The original FIA Shelby Team Cars in 1964 were Princess Alice Blue....even the car transporters and the crew's Ranch Wagons (station wagons) were painted that color. Someone ? didn't think that name was macho enough for those fire breathing and thundering monsters, so they changed the name but not the paint to Viking Blue. I have read that it was Ford and not Shelby that wanted the team cars painted in the Blue Oval Blue (Guardsman) in 1965. And so according to the Golden Rule ( He who has the gold makes the rules) it was done.

[Nedsel]

Originally Posted by Bartruff1

.....The original FIA Shelby Team Cars in 1964 were Princess Alice Blue....even the car transporters and the crew's Ranch Wagons (station wagons) were painted that color. Someone ? didn't think that name was macho enough for those fire breathing and thundering monsters, so they changed the name but not the paint to Viking Blue. I have read that it was Ford and not Shelby that wanted the team cars painted in the Blue Oval Blue (Guardsman) in 1965. And so according to the Golden Rule ( He who has the gold makes the rules) it was done.

The Cobra color of Princess Blue (no "Alice") is a different color than the '63 - '64 Ford color of Viking Blue. The former is more a metallic greyish-silver, with practically no blue in it, whereas Viking is a metallic sky-blue.

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

The Cobra color of Princess Blue (no "Alice") is a different color than the '63 - '64 Ford color of Viking Blue. The former is more a metallic greyish-silver, with practically no blue in it, whereas Viking is a metallic sky-blue.

I got the " Princess Alice Blue" from a team member in the pits at the Targa in 1964 because I really liked the color and asked what it was. I remembered that name because it was so unusual and he was laughing when he told me. It is quite possible he didn't know wtf he was talking about. Later, I saw a reference to that color on page 66 of Trevor Legate's book " Cobra, The First 40 Years". In any case, I was wrong because Cobra's were raced as early as 1962 at Riverside and there were some very famous Cobra's raced in Europe in 1963....soooo...the Team Cars I saw in 1964 were hardly the original race cars.