Special Paint

[njsteve]

Black was an available color on the 1970 and 1971 Firebirds so it was not extra cost in those years. It is just very rare to see one. Black carried a standard paint code on the firewall tag in 1970 and 1971 not the two dots as in 1972 and 1973.

That recent 1970 find is an amazing car and raised quite a ruckus when news of it appeared on PY. I can't wait to see the article.

Here's the firewall tag and Canadian invoice on my old '72. You can see the invoice prices under the "Solid Special" paint color.

[StealthBird]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Black was an available color on the 1970 and 1971 Firebirds so it was not extra cost in those years. It is just very rare to see one. Black carried a standard paint code on the firewall tag in 1970 and 1971 not the two dots as in 1972 and 1973.

That recent 1970 find is an amazing car and raised quite a ruckus when news of it appeared on PY. I can't wait to see the article.

Here's the firewall tag and Canadian invoice on my old '72. You can see the invoice prices under the "Solid Special" paint color.

Steve, Starlight Black was NOT an available color on 1970 Firebirds, it was Special Order only. Black was available in 1971 oin the Firebird, then they removed it again for 1972. The 1970 Formula referenced above has the same "- -" on the trim tag as your old '72.

Canadian prices were much higher than U.S. prices. The column you're seeing on your invoice is the price to dealers in Canada, not the retail price paid by the customer. The exchange rate was factored in when the cars were received in Oshawa and then new window stickers were created with Canadian prices.

[BCreekDave]

Most everybody here probably already knows about this site, but for the few that dson't its a pretty good site for reference on paint colors.

http://paintref.com/paintref/index.shtml

It doesn't show "specials" like what this discussion is about, but does show you what was being sprayed across a manufacturer during a particular year.

[442w30]

Originally Posted by BCreekDave

It doesn't show "specials" like what this discussion is about, but does show you what was being sprayed across a manufacturer during a particular year.

There's stuff they get wrong at times (omissions or inclusions that are incorrect), but they update the site with corrections.

[BCreekDave]

I like the most popular colors page. Hugger Orange and Mulsanne Blue are up there.

[442w30]

Alright, here's my friend's Rebel Machine tag.

I don't know how AMC dealt with special-order colors, but this one has the color code on it.

Regarding Bahama Yellow, this is what my knowledgable friend says:

"It wasn't announced as a standard color until February 1969; prior to that it was an extra cost color but Chrysler waved it because they were ordering cars in California in fleet order quantities to avoid the extra cost of a special order paint."

Nonetheless, I think we can learn the real truth from Wes, whose Road Runner book just came out. I'll give him a heads-up to respond.

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by 442w30

Alright, here's my friend's Rebel Machine tag.

I don't know how AMC dealt with special-order colors, but this one has the color code on it.

The 8A represents a Black Hood. 2A is Big Bad Blue. So you are correct - that Big Bad Green Rebel Machine I posted is not a Special Paint car. Nor is your friend's car.

The 053F means Blue Bucket Seats

[69hurstSC]

Bahama Yellow and Rallye Green were special order paint colors on 69 Road Runners prior to their mid-year debut (which has nothing to do with A12). A zone manager in California is credited with pillaging the colors from Porsche and Chevrolet in October of 68 and having them applied by the factory under special paint code 99 99. This was localized to LA built cars in late 68 with Chrysler joining the fray in early 69 as they intermittently rolled out their new color offerings (again, not A12 related).

My book goes into great detail about the special paint colors on 69 Road Runners.

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]