paint choice

[Cooke]

I am looking at several cars, most are not painted in the color they left the factory with. Some are not even painted any original Continental colors. Does this have any effect on the value of the car when it comes to resale??
I really like the MKIIs so I am not that concerned, I am not buying this as an investment but at the same don’t want to lose half the value if I don’t have to.

Martin Cooke

[Dave Harris]

It could. Especially when they're done in a "re-sale red" for example. Although live auction announcers on cable tend to favor cars restored to original factory color, sometimes it has little effect on value. Just look at the modified Bel Airs at auction nearing six digit figures.

[Shelly Harris]

There will always be buyers who are only interested in a car that has the original factory color. So for resale purposes you'll have a larger market interested in your car because it's an original color car. But that doesn't mean a non original color is going to be worth half as much, as there are so many other factors that determine what amount of money the car is worth. There are a few original colors that I wouldn't want and there are many non original colors that I would consider great for the Mark II. Original color really means something if you intend to create a concours contender and I believe that in judging or authenticity rules you are allowed to have a different color than original but it must be a color that was originally available for your car. I'm certain others can tell us for sure on that.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally Posted by Cooke

I really like the MKIIs so I am not that concerned, I am not buying this as an investment but at the same don’t want to lose half the value if I don’t have to.

Martin Cooke

Personally I would then find a color that you like, regardless if it is stock or otherwise, and not worry if what someone else might think of it.

At a latter date if you do sell it that person can then paint it any color they like.

[Barry Wolk]

My car is certainly not a stock color and that's not affected its value. WCF would paint a Mark II any color you wanted, so who's to say what's correct and what's not?

People are way too hung up on "authenticity" when the LCOC has reversed itself many times on what is authentic and what is not.

[linmk2]

The only critic to satisfy is you. I would doubt that a color choice would affect the value by half. If the car is in otherwise excellent condition, I would think the next owner could have the color returned to stock.

[Doc]

I suspect the change of color will have only an indirect impact on the car's value by reducing the potential pool of buyers. Buyers looking for a totally "authentic," 100 pt. concours-quality car may be put off by a change of color (esp. to a non-stock option). Those who are simply looking for a nice car to show and drive, may be attracted to a particular car because of its color (irrespective of whether it was a "stock" option). Obviously that may decrease the pool of buyers, but may not impact what an interested prospective buyer will be willing to pay. Ultimately, the quality of the repaint will determine more about the car's value than the color per se (unless it's a very unusual color with very limited appeal).

[Barry Wolk]

I believe the comment about halving the value has been retracted.

[Shawn Newcomb]

If the paint isn't original and thereby having that cache at resale, I don't think paint should factor in value at all except with respect to the quality of the job because it is nearly impossible (read often illegal) to replicate the original hand-rubbed laquer anyway. What is the difference between basecoat/clearcoat in the original black or in a blue? Neither is original.

My vote: Let taste and quality be your guide.