7 replies to this topic

[brianciaran]

50 shades of Grey................

 

Hi, I am in the process of restoring a 1963 Austin Mini Mk1 Saloon, I am at the Painting stage now. Has been Sandblasted and all repairs done, some new panels etc. etc. Problem is I am unable to identify the BMC Colour despite having looked at multiple Colour Charts on the Internet and visiting numerous websites. What is probably making the search difficult is that the car was assembled in Ireland, It was a UK export so the colours used here in Ireland may have varied some what from the UK built cars. I made contact with a guy who worked in the factory where the car was assembled and he said that the colour was common at that time but he couldnt remember the name of the colour. The car has never been resprayed. It is a dark shade of Grey but whether its Tweed Grey or Yukon Grey, etc etc. is unknown, the colour on the car doesnt seem to match any of the Mk1 early colours on the Colour charts.....

 

The photos I have posted here were taken at various times. The first 4 photos were taken on a late Summers evening many years ago after I first purchased the car, it was garaged for 20 yrs or so after I purchased it. The second set of photos were taken in daylight, in bright light prior to the car going for Sandblasting in recent months and lastly, the third set were taken the same day but some show the interior in less bright light.

 

The Painter is going to match the paint as best he can from the door hinges  which I removed and still have the paint on them, however it would be good/nice to know if any of you Classic Mini Mk1 fans have any ideas on the colour.

 

Thanks 

 

Brian

 

 Mini Images 1.doc   153.5K   50 downloads

 Mini Images 2.doc   655K   17 downloads

 Mini Images 3.doc   585.5K   17 downloads

[Hewlett_T]

Do you have a colour code? Even if it's "unknown" someone here might know.

You can also buy build sheets from this site: http://www.heritage-...sis-number.html

(Cheapest linked, was going to link them all but there are many depends on your budget for this information)

They do a basic sheet and comprehensive sheet from my memory. I would buy one of these if you definitely want to find the original colour, it could also pull up some interesting information for you.

Also buying a build sheet isn't exactly a false economy as it could be used to add value to the car when you come to sell it if it proves to be a numbers matching car etc etc.

Edited by Hewlett_T, 03 March 2016 - 01:40 AM.

[mab01uk]

Also try asking here for Mk1 Mini experts:-

http://mk1-forum.net/

[62S]

BMIHT won't be able to supply a Heritage Certificate for a CKD car.

In the first collection of pictures it looks rather like Carlton Grey but trying to identify specific car colours from old pictures and via a monitor screen is very difficult.

Try the link above suggested by mab01uk. I believe they have a number of Irish members who should be better able to help you.

[brianciaran]

Thanks 62S, Mab and Hewlett, can confirm from BMH that the car was exported CKD (Completely Knocked down) to ireland and assembled here. No I dont have a colour code, I believe the colour code can be stamped/etched on potentially several different places on the body, but as the car was assembled here in Ireland, that might not have happened, I dont have a list of those places so if any of you have that information, let me know, I think it may have been stamped in different places depending on whether the Mk1 was an Austin or Morris, mine ia Austin. I cant check it myself as the car is in Dublin now at the Painters, I will have a look into your build sheet suggestion. Thanks Guys, Painter really wants to get things moving u know, taking up space in his body shop..

 

Brian 

[Cooperman]

I think it is 'Tweed Grey'. I had one, a 1965 car, in that colour once. I used it during the 1973 fuel crisis!

That is a great looking car you have there. It will be super when restored fully. 

I'm currently restoring my 1964 Mini 850 in almond green/white roof.

[NuFab]

In the old photos it looks darker to me, but in the later ones it looks like my tweed grey mk1.

[brianciaran]

Thanks guys for the reply, yes thats what we had thought (brother and me) Tweed Grey but when the Painter mixed the colour and gave it its undercoat he said it was a very blue grey and he stopped at that stage to see if so we could find out a bit more. I agree about the Photos, they evening ones were taken with a very good camera and decent film so im not so sure why they are so dark, i am going to dig out the negatives and have them reprinted again at  a good photo shop just to see if they come up lighter....

 

Keep the votes coming guys, Tweed Grey has 4 votes so far.....

 

any other suggestions?

 

Brian