richard glickel

Traditionally, silver was the "national" color for German race cars. Green=England; Blue=France; Red=Italia; etc., etc.

Damian in NJ

Wasn't German 'silver' really unpainted aluminum to save the weight of the paint?

ckkrause

Thanks!!! You guys make me feel even better about my, ahhh.... Polar Silver Coupe!!!

JDS968

White was the original German national racing livery. The Mercedes and Auto Union "Silver Arrows" ran in polished unpainted aluminum on the (shaky) reasoning that silver is pretty much just metallic white, and therefore they could save weight.

Also we should point out that, according to Jeff's research, Guards Red was NOT the most popular [North American] 968 color, rather it came a close second to black.

jeff968

Very good!!! Someone was paying attention in Savannah. You get an A+ for the day!


BTW, the opposite was true with cabs, Red was most popular, then black in second.

JDS968

I was ALSO paying attention when I made you promise to make that Powerpoint presentation available...whaddya say, buddy?

jeff968

If i do that then it will be quickly posted on the Internet, get a million hits, and then no one will come to my future presentations.

FRporscheman

Yep, as a die-hard Mercedes fan, hardcore Porsche addict, and Audi dabbler, I have read much about the history of silver race cars. I think the best story was the 300SLR being 2 pounds overweight for its debut race, where two guys spent the night of scraping paint off and "barely" made it.

I thought red was the most popular color of all 968s (cabs and coupes combined). No one knows better than Jeff!

I'd love to see some of those PS cabs, especially the ones with rare interiors! I forgot what flamenco red looks like...

JDS968

Do you have my e-mail address?

944er-teile.de

don't agree - german race cars are white, only prewar racers like Mercedes and Auto Union are traditionally silver...

richard glickel

Yes. The so-called "silver arrows" c. 1934-36, were unpainted. Not sure why though, as there weren't weight restrictions imposed at the time. Possibly for aerodynamics/wind resistence? Anyway, after the war (and, waaay after the war) when Mercedes & Audi returned to international racing they apparently resumed the silver color.

In the 1960's race cars began sporting sponsors' livery (Marlboro, John Player, etc.). I suppose these days the former "international" colors are gone.

Anyway, 968's look great in silver (and yellow).

944er-teile.de

and riviera-blue, signal-green and blood-orange

Richy_s

The best looking car I have had!





Rich

ernie9468

You've just forgotten this one (Amazone Pearl Green)maybe not to every one taste, but I love mine.

richard glickel

Perhaps it's the 968's design/lines, but you'll have a hard time finding a color that doesn't look good on the 968.