gs

I was flipping through one of my 911 books the other day and was struck by the incredible variety of colors available (and bought) in the 60s and 70s.

Signal Orange, Polo Red, Chartreuse, Gulf Blue, Jade Green, Viper Green, Kelly Green, Sunflower Yellow...

Now it seems other than Guards Red and Speed Yellow, Porsche rarely offers these sorts of colors expect as a very special order. And it seems equally as rare for people to actually order them.

Why?

One theory - lack of chrome. When I look at the older cars, I notice that they have quite a bit of chrome on them, and this, along with a few black pieces, offers a contrast to and balances out the bright power of a color like Viper Green. A late 60s or early 70s 911 can have chrome around the headlights, taillights, windows and windshield, along the side, and making up the bumpers (w/black) and mirrors.

By comparison, a 993 C4S for example, has no chrome, and even very little black. Not less beautiful, but different. I personally think modern 911s look best in dark metallics, like slate gray and aventurine green.

Just my two cents.

Thoughts?

Pete K

I know what you mean, my dad had a 71 911 in signal yellow. After moving to Las Vegas I attended our first PCA event here and look what shows up. A pristine example of the same car.

Pete

jocko

I LOVE Viper Green. I'f I ever got an early 911 it would have to be that color. By the way - my car is Adventurine Green (second choice behind midnight metallic blue)

Mike in O.C.

Actually, you can special-order any one of those "cool" colors from the seventies if you have the $$

Mark '98 Targa

This build a "retro" porsche site has some of those great old colors.

http://www.retromotorcompany.co.uk/selecta/ps.htm

Have fun, Mark

max911

although the Porsches are 914s, this picture shows a lot of the early 70s cool colors. (i believe the pic is from a PCA region in Texas)



max

Pete K

Mark, thats a cool site, had fun making a White Race car.

jorisg

Well I don't know, my first car was a 911 Siver Anniversary color, ....of course silver, 2nd car a 911 3.2 in Granite Green (Felsen Grun) actually quite nice, and current one a '94 993 in Amaranth (meaning purple!), seems like the more modern my 911 becomes, the more strange the color!

billh1963

Don't forget Blue Turquoise. I bought it SPECIFICALLY because it was unique and stood out. It was either this or speed yellow! Although, I have to admit, I have always loved silver on the 993.

Doug&Julie

Porsche did put out this orange-ish color called Zanzibar Red. I'm restoring my Tangerine '72 911T and was thinking of painting it this more modern color. (Of course, I would keep the chrome accents instead of going to all black.)

I do miss the fun colors....

gs

Keep it Tangerine! That's the perfect '72 911 color...

Bob D.

Max, that picture you posted is from the 2001 Midwest "Ramble," or regional gathering of 914s, in October 2001. The picture was taken at the host hotel for the event, the Marriott Solana, about 25 minutes from downtown Dallas.

I think the 914 and 911 colors of the '70s are tough to beat. I like my silver 993--I think it flatters the lines of the widebody--but my heart still belongs to the vivid colors of my 914s! Although I am without a 914 right now, I have had five 914s and never a dull color among them.

At least right now we have a Sundown Orange New Beetle Convertible and a lime green and white '78 VW microbus, so I still get my bright colors fix.

David in LA

I also vote for Tangerine...Zanzibar Red just seems so wrong...

Patrik S

Great site Mark
I had a lot of fun making "my" dream 550......

Doug&Julie

You guys are probably right....well, plenty of time to decide anyway!