1969 Buick Electra Convertible

[timrevis]

We are also looking at a 1969 Electra convertible. I've had one of these before and loved it, but the thing that is scaring me on this one is the color. The owner says it's original. Is there a list of original factory colors available? Thanks, Tim.

[Guest sixpack2639]

Tim, try looking here http://www.autocolorlibrary.com/cgi-bin/search/search.pl .

Hope this helps, Carl

[Guest my3buicks]

Tim, what color is it?

[NTX5467]

The paint code should be on the "body plate" of the vehicle. Many times in the cowl area under the hood. That number could also be referenced in the autocolorlibrary link too. These OEM paint codes and names can also be in the front of the 1969 era Buick parts books (text only).

In the world of auto color . . . each carline division would have their own particular name for a particular color, but the paint code and forumlation would be the same--especially in the 1980s and prior time frame. In looking in the paint suppliers' color chip charts, you'll also see some strange terminology (compared to the OEM terminology). For example, in the OEM a color can be a "metallic", but in the paint suppliers' terminology it's "poly". KEY thing is that the paint code of what you've got matches what the paint suppliers' chip chart shows (possibly adjusted for sun exposure and weather fading).

The original paint would be acrylic lacquer. Finding that particular type of paint can be a problem (for many reasons) as almost all of the current paint systems are basecoat/clearcoat acrylic enamel. You can probably find somebody to build you some, if they've still got the original codes and can access the original paint/tint/blend stocks. The next-best option would be acrylic enamel i the same code (where's DuPont Centauri when you need it?) In that time frame, GM used acylic lacquer and Ford, Chrysler, and AMC used acrylic enamel, but you could buy acrylic lacquer or acrylic enamel in the same paint codes, either way.

Enjoy!

NTX5467

[timrevis]

Thanks all. I checked the color library as suggested and the color doesn't exist on the chart. I've only seen pictures of the car. We are considering travelling out to look at it. The owner says the car has a can of the original touch up paint that has never been opened and it is named "violet." It reads lavendary-grey in the pictures, but I do not personally recall ever having seen this color on a Buick. Thanks for the help. Tim.

[Guest my3buicks]

Sounds like 1969 Riviera Sunset Silver(lavendery/Grey would be a very accurate discription), I know of 1 other 69 Electra Conv (or maybe the same one) that is that color - it will list the code so it will be easy to tell if it's correct or not. It was not unusual for Buick owners to Pic a Riv color or "A" Body color for on there Big cars, or visa versa. The paint chip on the above site does not show the true color AT ALL.

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Another source for paint colours, although they don't have all years, is at Buicks.net.

[timrevis]

Thanks - I will check it from the Riviera angle. We may fly out and see this car. I'm not wild about the color, but I can adjust. I really loved the '69 that we owned in the 80s. It was bronze-gold with a tan/brown interior. Really good looking. But that car is gone, so we'll see if we can make do with this one. Tim.

[Pete Phillips]

I'm about 3/4ths of the way through reassembling/lightly restoring a 1970 Electra convertible, which will be for sale as soon as I'm done (or maybe even before I'm done, the way my budget is going...!). It is a light yellow exterior with chocolate brown interior, and loaded with optional extras (factory A/C, tilt wheel, cruise control, front disc brakes, cornering lights, chrome Buick wheels, 60/40 front seats, Texas car, no rust). Will try to attach a photo.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

Sherman, TX

[timrevis]

Yes - please post a picture. I would like to see that. Tim