Change color of a 72' GTO Judge during restoration?

Question

I am in a bit of a pickle...and arguing with hubby almost daily. He says the car HAS to remain its original color. I hate the color of my Judge. Orbit Orange. I know that if I keep it that it will hold more value. But I so don't want to drive it and it being ORANGE. Ewww. I love the look of the white ones. The few there was that were black were awesome, but I refuse to wash it just because I drove it 20 miles, and trust me knowing my husband he is anal enough he would want it done. Is there any hard and fast rule that says I have to keep it that color?

I got confused on yr his chevelle is the 72'. My GTO is a 71'. Made the same year I was born. Ok Ok so I wanted to be a little younger...hehehehe. No really it was late and I got confused.

Answer 1

If your going for originality then you might want to keep it that color, I will warn you though there were no Judges built in 72 they were made from 69 to 71, I have a 72 455 H.O. 4 speed, it was originally a pea green and when I bought it it was a dark forest green which I like and would never dream of changing it back to it's original color. In the end it is your car no matter what anyone tells you, so paint it whatever color suits you, you will have to live with the color for a long time and if you don't like the original color then you might find that giving the car the attention that it needs will be harder to do.

Answer 2

You are correct that it will be more valuable in the original color. If you plan on selling it this will be of concern, but if you are planning on keeping the car forever then what does it matter? If you plan on driving the wheels off it ( which is what these cars are made for ) then if you do decide to sell it some day there will be other wear and tear items that will depreciate the value as well, so the color won't be the deciding factor in the value. I have been doing body / paint work for 20 years and have changed the color of a few classics for the same reason you state, dislike of original color. You say restoration, meaning frame off, glass, interior out, complete wire harness out etc.? If so you will be able to change the color and know one will be able to tell. Maybe use a factory color code from the Judge option list will sway your hubby. That way it will be period option correct but a color more to your liking. Is he keeping the engine transmission etc. all perfectly stock exactly the way the car came from the factory? If he is adding say an aftermarket trans cooler, an aftermarket aluminum intake, a CD player, or aftermarket rims or tires, etc. If you want to be technical this car came with Poly Glass tires. If he puts radials on it he will be decreasing the value and the driveability. If he is adding anything I would say he is being a bit hypocritical. I too like black but it is harder to keep clean. My 55 Chevy is a driver and its black.

Answer 3

I'm paraphrasing from the GTOAA show guide, but they feel original is best, but if the color was available on that year/model, then that color is acceptable.

I'm interested in this, because I believe also there was no judge in '72. I'm no expert on that vintage (I'm more into the 64-67 goats), but there were a large number of 'tribute' cars (instead of the more agressive word 'fake') made to look like judges along the way. There are whole books devoted to this phenomenon, and there are ways to tell if the tribute wasn't done quite right.

If I were your hubby, I'd be checking into this ASAP. Instead of restoring the car to fake status, he should consider restoring it to as it was built. Maybe you'll get lucky and find it was white!