Why Is It Purple?

[Hudsy Wudsy]

There's a '36 Olds for sale over in Osseo, WI. I came across it while browsing my local Twin Cities Craigslist. It's otherwise stock, but it's painted purple. Perhaps the owner is a huge Vikings fan, but I rather doubt it. I've complained about this sort of thing before, but it still puzzles me that someone who owns a car as conspicuous as a '36 Oldsmobile thinks that it isn't enough for it to be black, blue, gray or some other more traditional color. The car is overpriced in my opinion, but even if it was a bargain, I'd be embarrassed to own it. What do you folks think is the impetus for all of these dignity robbing colors, even on stock cars? I listed a link to a C/L ad in the Chrysler Products For Sale forum a while back because someone was street rodding a '33 Desoto and wanted to sell the stock driveline. I also complained about the pathetic fate that was about to befall the classy old sedan and mentioned that it will probably end up being painted orange or pink or something or another. I only mention it here because some one responded by telling me to "get over it".  So, more and more, I'm thinking that an ever increasing percentage of you are street rodders. Tell me, then,  and barring any discussion of the merits of updating the driveline, what the attraction is to all of the clownish colors?

 

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/cto/d/1936-oldsmobile-runs-and/6424929213.html

 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2017 by Hudsy Wudsy (see edit history)

[TerryB]

Easy to find if it ever gets lost or stolen!  Kinda like a Mary K cosmetics pink Cadillac.

[John_S_in_Penna]

I agree, Hudsy, that that color looks inappropriate.

On the rare occasions when the factory painted an

unusual color, though, I find it historically interesting.

 

Here's a 2-tone purple 1928 LaSalle, as illustrated in

the well-known catalogue, "Color Creations from Nature's

Studio."  It even had green wheels and accents, 

imitating nature's coloration of an orchid:

 

 

[keiser31]

Maybe the wife had a say in the color?

[Matt Harwood]

I think people have a color they like, so they try to put it on everything, regardless of how right or wrong it might be. There are plenty of cars out there that someone decided to paint in horrible colors, and it's only because the guy doing it (or paying for it) liked the color.

 

Or, in shorter terms, there is no shortage of people with terrible taste.

[ragtop4two]

I knew a guy who mixed up some leftover paint he had to paint his car. It was an ugly torquoise colour.

[keiser31]

4 minutes ago, ragtop4two said:

I knew a guy who mixed up some leftover paint he had to paint his car. It was an ugly torquoise colour.

Gee....that is EXACTLY what Richard Petty did to get his "Petty Blue"....were you talking about him?

Edited December 19, 2017 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[ragtop4two]

This guy had just an old toyota at the time. Today it would be a classic if he didn't use a gallon of bondo that I know he did. 

[Frantz]

If my little girl wanted me to paint a car purple, I would.

Given the list of honest repairs needed I'd be a little scared to see whats under the paint. Def some nice cars from this era at a better value.

[1937hd45]

I'd really like to know why it bothers other people when people do something to a car they own? Do you stop at the car, or decide to comment on the guys wife, house, or station in life? Just an observation.

 

 

Bob 

[Guest]

Hudsy, there's only one way to deal with people like this.

You fire up the bus, I'll get the liquor....  

[Frank DuVal]

Quit talking about me!

 

When I showed friends pictures of the Graham I was going to buy, every one asked when I was going to paint it. Then after delivery and seeing it in person, everyone agreed it should stay yellow, for now. Sure, deduction for non-original color.... And radial tires..... did I mention hose clamps?

[Hudsy Wudsy]

6 hours ago, 1937hd45 said:

I'd really like to know why it bothers other people when people do something to a car they own? Do you stop at the car, or decide to comment on the guys wife, house, or station in life? Just an observation.

 

 

Bob 

In response, I guess that I'd say that it's just one more ruined vehicle. Their numbers increase so rapidly these days!

[Bloo]

It is an awful color, but looks just fine other than that (from what I can see of it). There are so few left. They still make black primer.....

 

One red flag: Nothing mentioned about the condition of the wood.

[wayne sheldon]

Spray paint cans and masking tape are cheap. If the surface is decent? Two good days could make it all better for a driver collector car.

And it is true that that people have the right to like what they do and paint it as they please if it is theirs.

But frankly, a lot of people just do not get it. They do a job to their particular tastes, and then wonder why they cannot sell it for what THEY think it should be worth. 

Seen it hundreds of times. (Literally!)

 

I HAD to look in on this thread. About thirty years ago, I have no idea of WHY? Or HOW? But some some silly cosmic reason, in about three years time, I saw about five different mid-'20s Dodge four door sedans, each one of them for sale, AND PAINTED PURPLE!!! They ranged from '24 to '27 and varied in other restoration age and details. But why so many similar cars all PURPLE???

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

 

 There is an old saying I know all of you have heard that"beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. I submit that "ugly" is also.

 

  I sure am glad God made  Brunettes, Blonds and Redheads in addition to Black.  Makes for a more colorful world with more choices.

 

  Taste is relative.

 

  Ben

[SC38dls]

Janice Joplin’s Porsche that sold for a million or more was beautiful to some and ugly as sin to others.  You can’t legislate taste or account for it. If you like the car but not the color you can try to buy it cheap and paint it or just don’t look at it. Some people just think a goofy paint job makes an old car look better and some of us just don’t understand how they can’t appreciate the beautiful style of the design without gaudy paint. Too each their own. 

Dave S 

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I wish people would take a longer view of things. That '36 Olds is 82 years old and will likely survive it's current owner and perhaps other future owners. If only guys would see themselves more as custodians and avoid the silly need to put their distinctive, and silly, mark on things. 

[Larry Schramm]

IMO,  Paint is easier to change / fix than chop, channel and SBC.

[Digger914]

I have a soft spot for old Hudson's, don't have one, don't want one, but always smile when I see one. Grandpa had one out behind the barn that my brother and I played in when we were young. It eventually became a target for my uncles and their 22's. So what if this thing isn't concourse quality restored, someone saved this from the same sad fate and when I look at this, I see a car that's painted Preservation Purple,, that could have been peppered with holes.

[Steve9]

Different paint alright, what wouldn’t most of us give for this beauty!

[Hudsy Wudsy]

1 hour ago, Larry Schramm said:

IMO,  Paint is easier to change / fix than chop, channel and SBC.

I agree with you, Larry, but those cars are already beyond saving. I think that it's becoming painfully clear that a lot of guys think that the value of this old sedan has gone up because it's been painted purple. It's just taking me some time to get used to that kind of thinking.

[Larry Schramm]

22 minutes ago, Hudsy Wudsy said:

I agree with you, Larry, but those cars are already beyond saving. I think that it's becoming painfully clear that a lot of guys think that the value of this old sedan has gone up because it's been painted purple. It's just taking me some time to get used to that kind of thinking.

 

After they have been chopped/channeled/sbc, I agree yes they are gone. 

 

Buy I like most of us have see some really good car chopped up.  I saw a very good Model A that was the object of a guys new toy, a plasma cutter.  What a shame.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

4 hours ago, Hudsy Wudsy said:

I wish people would take a longer view of things. That '36 Olds is 82 years old and will likely survive it's current owner and perhaps other future owners. If only guys would see themselves more as custodians and avoid the silly need to put their distinctive, and silly, mark on things. 

 

 The answer, I believe, is for folks that think like you need to buy all these cars and save them from the folks who want their distinctive and silly marks on them.

 

 Sheeze

 

  Ben

[GARY F]

I love 36 Olds, but no trim on the trunk, needing a clutch and fly wheel turned, wood???  price is high. If it was a L36 I might dicker on price. most likely needs a lot more. Paint i would strip it and get the original color back on.

[Paul Dobbin]

 

Mostly I like restorations, but you can do whatever you like when it's your car.  When I restored our 1915 Model T Ford, I saw a letter from Henry Ford to the Ford Dealers telling them, "Paint the Model T whatever the customer wants, just sell them a model T"  "Suggested price was $15.  When I saw that I decided if I had bought it new for $440, I could surely have come up with another $15 to have it be a red Model T touring car.  The Black is beautiful bunch didn't like it but everybody gathered around any Model T of color at car shows.  Years later, I din't want another mid 30's car in black either, so our Buick is Silver and Pewter.   When my estate sells them I bet somebody else will like the colors too.

Edited December 20, 2017 by Paul Dobbin (see edit history)

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

12 minutes ago, Paul Dobbin said:

 

Mostly I like restorations, but you can do whatever you like when it's your car.  When I restored our 1915 Model T Ford, I saw a letter from Henry Ford to the Ford Dealers telling them, "Paint the Model T whatever the customer wants, just sell them a model T"  "Suggested price was $15.  When I saw that I decided if I had bought it new for $440, I could surely have come up with another $15 to have it be a red Model T touring car.  The Black is beautiful bunch didn't like it but everybody gathered around any Model T of color at car shows.  Years later, I din't want another mid 30's car in black either, so our Buick is Silver and Pewter.   When my estate sells them I bet somebody else will like the colors too.

 

 

  I like, Paul

 

  Ben

[plymouthcranbrook]

Abut a hundred years ago i painted my then used car 1966 Sunbeam Alpine Signal orange and I liked it much that 20 years later I painted my 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier  station wagon the same color. Never lost track of either one of them.

[John348]

On 12/18/2017 at 5:58 PM, TerryB said:

Easy to find if it ever gets lost or stolen!  Kinda like a Mary K cosmetics pink Cadillac.

 

Maybe so nobody would steal it?

[victorialynn2]

A friend of mine has an old hot rod in purple and he is a guy. Also, this 55 I will be putting up for sale from Oregon soon is also purple. ?‍♀️

Edited December 20, 2017 by victorialynn2 (see edit history)

[auburnseeker]

On 12/19/2017 at 5:51 AM, SC38DLS said:

Janice Joplin’s Porsche that sold for a million or more was beautiful to some and ugly as sin to others.  You can’t legislate taste or account for it. If you like the car but not the color you can try to buy it cheap and paint it or just don’t look at it. Some people just think a goofy paint job makes an old car look better and some of us just don’t understand how they can’t appreciate the beautiful style of the design without gaudy paint. Too each their own. 

Dave S 

I don't think it was the paint that made her car sell for so much,  but who the owner was.  It wasn't even the original paint job by the Roadie,  just a recreation sa I believe her brother had it repainted back to original. 

[Matt Harwood]

13 hours ago, Paul Dobbin said:

 

Mostly I like restorations, but you can do whatever you like when it's your car.  When I restored our 1915 Model T Ford, I saw a letter from Henry Ford to the Ford Dealers telling them, "Paint the Model T whatever the customer wants, just sell them a model T"  "Suggested price was $15.  When I saw that I decided if I had bought it new for $440, I could surely have come up with another $15 to have it be a red Model T touring car.  The Black is beautiful bunch didn't like it but everybody gathered around any Model T of color at car shows.  Years later, I din't want another mid 30's car in black either, so our Buick is Silver and Pewter.   When my estate sells them I bet somebody else will like the colors too.

 

Silver ain't purple.

 

I've had a number of purple cars in our showroom and they are virtually sales-proof. I have a bright purple GTO right now that I only have because it came in a package deal. Nicely done, but the purple means it will be here a long time and will eventually sell at a loss.

Edited December 20, 2017 by Matt Harwood (see edit history)

[dei]

While this one isn't all purple, to paraphrase someone, "to each his own".

 

 

 

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I spent most of my working years in the apparel industry and I've said time and time again (in circles other than here, of course) that you couldn't sell a man a green suit if your life depended on it, but they will buy cars in colors that don't even have names. Although, I'm thinking purple might be the exception.

[1912Staver]

Somehow 55 Chevy's can get away with purple. As long as they are built with the mid 60's "gasser" look or resemble the Two Lane Blacktop car.  Not my thing but as long as the modifications look period correct they don't grate on me.  I am afraid 1930's resto-rods are a slippery slope. Only about 10% of them are something I would even remotely think about owning.

 

Greg in Canada

[mercer09]

leftover paint syndrome.......................

 

I dont like to throw anything out and love to find a use for it!

 

for example- my 29 model A RPU sports teal wheels. My preference is candy apple green- neither of which is correct.

 

I had left over teal paint and it tidied up the rusty straw color that was on there, hence, saving the rims.