"Inspirations" for my ERA 289

[PDUB]

Jeffy,

Have you found the paint code for the Signal Red yet? Looks really nice!

Thanks

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by PDUB

Jeffy,

Have you found the paint code for the Signal Red yet? Looks really nice!

Thanks

I've found it listed under the Austin-Healey codes as I.C.I. code 6200:

http://www.coloramic.com/articles/hlyclrs.htm

http://healey.hyperboards.com/index....c&topic_id=582

I.C.I. was acquired by PPG a few years ago so, hopefully, they can produce a match.

I also found the AC Cars paint codes in another thread here, also I.C.I. codes:

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

As you can see, a simple "Red" isn't listed: just "Ruby Red" and "Rosso Chiaro". My guess is that "Ruby Red" is what has sometimes been called "Svecia Red", or "Swiss" red, the color of a Swiss Army knife. This shade would have some blue in it. "Rosso Chiaro" translates into "Light Red". I'm going to research this code: it may be the AC equivalent of British Leyland Signal Red.

Older Ferraris also have a shade called "Rosso Chiaro", which looks similar to "Signal Red". Here is a 1954 500 Mondial Spyder in Ferrari Rosso Chiaro:



This may be my new favorite: gotta look up this color! Also, without any bumpers or quick jacks, the 289 bears a passing resemblance to this beast. Here is a link to more pictures:

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z...al-Spyder.aspx

[PDUB]

Thanks!

Keep us posted as to what you find. It will be interesting to see what shakes out. I appreciate all of your detective work.

[jeffy]

For those wondering, like I was, what the functions are for the seven aircraft toggles on the Sebring car dashes, like CSX2129 in my first post, I found this dash from CSX2136, one of three Shelby competition cars referred to as the "LeMans replicas", that has the functions listed:



However, one thing that kind of gnawed at me while I have been waiting for the car to get started was my initial choice of putting some 1963 details, like the Sebring car dash, the blue background badges and kidney bean wheels, on a 1964 FIA-style body. My dilemma was that I wanted a comp car body, but didn't want an FIA-style dash with the speedo out-of-sight way off to the right, and I don't want any of the 1963 Sebring/LeMans style cars that are available from other vendors.

So, I did more research and looked up the chassis numbers for the sixteen cars built by AC and Shelby with the FIA-style body. Then, I searched the internet to see if I could find photos of the dashboards.

I discovered that some later competition cars had a more conventional dash layout, but with obvious competition upgrades. Below is the dash from CSX2557; note the unusual Jones tach with the Cobra logo on it! Good luck finding one of those!



Here is CSX2558 with a Stewart-Warner tach, which is still available; the two toggles are for the fuel pump and the cooling fan. The knob to the left of the switchplate is for the headlights, the knob on the right is for the wipers. Note that four of the small gauges are 2 5/8", but the ammeter is 2 1/16". The 1-10psi fuel gauge is no longer available, but a 1-15psi is.



Although only a true enthusiast would be aware that I was "mixing" components from different years, I decided that I would always be a little uncomfortable if my car wasn't as close to "period correct" as possible. So, I am going to use this dash layout, go back to the white Cobra badges (anyone want a pair of blue ones??) and use FIA-style wheels, even though Peter P. "loves the kidney beans"!

Also, I found a picture from the Shelby archives of a customer ordered FIA-bodied car that was originally finished in what appears to be British Signal Red (there happens to be a red MGA in the background which matches it, and MG used "Signal Red" on the MGA), so I am comfortable with that color on a comp car. Now, all I need is a chassis number!