1914 Buick “Blue-Black” Color

[Kblake]

In the factory documentation for a 1914 Buick model B-24 roadster it is said the body color was either gray or maroon and that the chassis and wheels are “blue-black”.
 

Anyone know exactly what they mean by “blue-black”? I’ve seen pictures of gray B-24s & B-25s with pure black fenders and some with dark navy fenders. Is this factory color of “blue-black” a term to describe a very dark blue? 

Personally I prefer the more blue color over black, but what are your opinions on more accurate? 

 

[Mark Shaw]

 Yes, it is a very dark blue only visible as blue in sunlight.  I mixed my own blue/black for my 1913 Model 31 Buick and chose to go a bit lighter than the true blue/black.  The photo below shows how direct light versus shade effects the color.

[dibarlaw]

Kyle:

 The Blue-black describes the color well. It is very much like the old DuPont #99 Jet Black but depending on the light there is a definite blue cast to the color. I have seen some of these cars with the Blue-Black fenders. Incandescent light they look black, outside daylight you can see the blue cast.

 I would opine that the top up model 24 has the blue too light. They may have wanted to just complement the blue top they chose. Like the Brewster Green on my 1925 many say why did you paint the hood black?

   

 

 

When I repainted the front fenders and one splash shield, I used modern paint (supposed to be a jet black) and it came out a bit muddy almost like a charcoal. The lower mud pan I painted with left over 20-year-old #99 Centari. It is JET BLACK. The left rear fender and the right-side splash shield I spotted in with #99 Jet Black DUCO lacquer that was left over from a friend's restoration of a 1916 Model T. That was in 1957! It still sprayed out perfectly and blended with the old paint.

[dibarlaw]

Kyle:

 I had some close-up photos of the fenders on this 1927 model 54 Sport Roadster. My SD card became corrupted, so they are gone. I do have this one.

Inside where I first saw it the fenders looked black. Outside photos of a later sale ad.

  The Upper body colors are very close to correct, but the over-the-top restoration has many things chromed that were to be black baked enamel.

They even chromed a crank and had it in place with a green alligator leather sling for it.

This is my friends 1927-54 with original paint.

   Inside trailer with a flash photo.     May just be the reflection of the sky that shows as a blue cast.

[Kblake]

Larry,

 

Wow that 27 Model 54 really shows that the color changes drastically depending on the lighting! Defiantly wouldn't think it was the same paint or car! I'm trying to figure out which of the two body colors I should consider for my B-24 Roadster and this "Blue-Black" is a big factor. 

 

Kyle

[dibarlaw]

Kyle:

 I remember seeing a maroon B-24 years ago at a Buick meet. Personally, I like the Buick Gray with Blue Black fenders and wheels. Proper striping really set these off. I know back in the 1960s everyone wanted stripped and varnished wheel spokes. I believe that your car had a fix up restoration from the late 50s or 1960s then sat for many years before being bought by Mr. K who tore it down and then let is set for another 20 or so years. It still bothers me that his brother kept me thinking for years that it was the rare 1914 Coupe.

 We still have to get together for a visit. Send me a PM for potential times you can be available.