Custom Paint through the exclusive program
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Custom Paint through the exclusive program
I am a new proud owner of a 1997 Midnight Blue TT.
I have been posting in another thread about deviated carpets as my car does have them. However a question came up that I am curious about. I thought I would start a thread specifically about that instead of stealing from the topic of the other thread.
As I said, my car is a 1997 and was run through the exclusive program. This is the way I understand it.
The option sticker (see below) shows the exterior color as L999 which would be color to sample. However the color code sticker (see below) is 37W 9 3 which was explained to me that a factory color which was not available for that model was special ordered.
I probably could look this up but how is the color code deciphered 37W (Midnight Blue) what does the 9 3 mean? Is this interior coding?
If the color code sticker showed L999 would that be a color to sample?
I was also wondering if available factory colors are limited by Model Type. C2, Targas, Turbos etc... or are they by model (993) for a given year?
If so I could have a very unique 1997 993 which I believe I do, but how unique?
How many other 1997 Midnight Blue 993's are out there?
Johnny
I have been posting in another thread about deviated carpets as my car does have them. However a question came up that I am curious about. I thought I would start a thread specifically about that instead of stealing from the topic of the other thread.
As I said, my car is a 1997 and was run through the exclusive program. This is the way I understand it.
The option sticker (see below) shows the exterior color as L999 which would be color to sample. However the color code sticker (see below) is 37W 9 3 which was explained to me that a factory color which was not available for that model was special ordered.
I probably could look this up but how is the color code deciphered 37W (Midnight Blue) what does the 9 3 mean? Is this interior coding?
If the color code sticker showed L999 would that be a color to sample?
I was also wondering if available factory colors are limited by Model Type. C2, Targas, Turbos etc... or are they by model (993) for a given year?
If so I could have a very unique 1997 993 which I believe I do, but how unique?
How many other 1997 Midnight Blue 993's are out there?
Johnny
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: New England
The last two digits stand for the paint manufacturer and type of paint (some were water-based, others not).
I've found "paint to sample" is often times a color from a previous year not in the current (at that time) production.
I have a L999 cab with a 982 9 3 paint code which is actually a silver last used in the 70's.
My '95 coupe is midnight blue.
Nice car!
Regards,
.
I've found "paint to sample" is often times a color from a previous year not in the current (at that time) production.
I have a L999 cab with a 982 9 3 paint code which is actually a silver last used in the 70's.
My '95 coupe is midnight blue.
Nice car!
Regards,
.
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From: In front of you and to the left ...
Well, that is confusing. Midnight Blue Metallic was a standard 'special' color with a modest up-charge through '96. 1997/98 models switched to Ocean Blue Metallic as the 'special' dark blue color ... BUT usually, the code for a Paint to Sample from a previous model year is L989. Your code, L999 is the code for 'Special order colour with paint sample supplied by customer'. Your code on the fender paint code sticker is 37W and that is the correct factory code for Midnight blue metallic .. so it's a mystery. I'd wager the factory decided late in the manufacturing process that they couldn't paint the car the color the customer asked for, so late that the build sheet had already printed out the options stickers, and then asked the customer to choose a color from a previous model year that was close .. I'm speculating of course ...
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Nordschleife Master
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From: In front of you and to the left ...
^^^ so .. just checking out the deviating carpet thread and there's a '97 TT in midnight blue with L999 on the options sticker and 37W 9 3 on the paint sticker. It's a mystery .....
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From: In front of you and to the left ...
Next time I'm in Stuttgart at the museum archive, I'm going to ask about this .. I think it means that the reference books are partially incorrect and code 999 includes paint colors from previous model years as well as completely non-factory paint to sample colors. So, code 989 must also mean something very specific ... like only standard paint colors from previous model years or something. It's a mystery .... 
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 587
Likes: 2
Well, that is confusing. Midnight Blue Metallic was a standard 'special' color with a modest up-charge through '96. 1997/98 models switched to Ocean Blue Metallic as the 'special' dark blue color ... BUT usually, the code for a Paint to Sample from a previous model year is L989. Your code, L999 is the code for 'Special order colour with paint sample supplied by customer'. Your code on the fender paint code sticker is 37W and that is the correct factory code for Midnight blue metallic .. so it's a mystery. I'd wager the factory decided late in the manufacturing process that they couldn't paint the car the color the customer asked for, so late that the build sheet had already printed out the options stickers, and then asked the customer to choose a color from a previous model year that was close .. I'm speculating of course ...
Yep same car.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,835
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From: Bend OR
See you Saturday! Looking forward to meeting you and your car. She looks beautiful. I'm normally a non-metallic color guy, but I love Midnight Blue.
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From: Kirkland, WA
Midnight blue metallic was on the regular metallic list for any 993 in MY95 and MY96. It was replaced in MY1997 and MY1998 with Ocean Blue Metallic.
The original orderer of your car obviously didn't like the Ocean blue and specified midnight blue. Being as though that was no longer offered he got he "privilege" of paying a whole lot more for a color that in the previous year was fairly inexpensive. That makes it a L999 "color to sample".
It has been my experience that when a "color to sample" car is either a color Porsche has offered at some time in the past or another Manufacturers color then it gets an official name, such as your car. A true sample never used before doesn't get a name but just a color code.
The original orderer of your car obviously didn't like the Ocean blue and specified midnight blue. Being as though that was no longer offered he got he "privilege" of paying a whole lot more for a color that in the previous year was fairly inexpensive. That makes it a L999 "color to sample".
It has been my experience that when a "color to sample" car is either a color Porsche has offered at some time in the past or another Manufacturers color then it gets an official name, such as your car. A true sample never used before doesn't get a name but just a color code.
