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Help, deciding new paint for classic car

TheGenerous

TheGenerous

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 14, 2010
1,161
518
I'm an Austronaut
Hi, I'm restoring a 1981 Malibu Classic and would like suggestions for a new paint and audio equipment.

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UPDATE:

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Please help me with suggestions or other classic cars you like. These are a few I like;

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Oh god. I drove that very Chevy as a teenager. You just brought back some memories! Mine was a deep navy blue. I would suggest that color again. That was a good car. Also, get some whitewall tires for that baby. You'll be glad you did.

Oh, and this is my favorite car I ever owned: The 1983 Dodge 400 convertible. I miss that car so much it's ridiculous. It was the same color and everything as the one in this picture.
 

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I'd either repaint it the same color or another of the color choices that were originally available from Chevrolet for that car at the time it was sold.
 
I've always wanted a DeLorean, fully jazzed up like in back to the future, that or one of the aston martins form james bond (with weapons). Just imagine rollin up in one of thoes things, or getting cut off, say by by to your tires.:D
 
Nothing beats a car's factory color, the way she was born restored to her former glory, IMO.
 
If you aren't gonna do a REAL color change (door jambs, trunk, engine bay, ect,...) then stick with the original color. An original color with faded paint in the jambs and engine bay looks FAR better than different colors when you start opening the car up.

As for a stereo, it really depends on what you are going for. I spent several years installing stereo's for street pharmacists, SQ competition and everyday Joe's who wanted something that sounded ok. I even helped build a record setting SPL Geo metro (172.4 DB) as a shop car.

Outline what you are going for and what you listen to and then I can further help you in that department.
 
You honestly can't beat the 1970 Chevelle. My dad has one right now that is almost done. True SS 396. Black paint with pearl white stripes. He also has a 1968 Firebird that he used to drag race. That car is two-tone black and silver and looks exactly like the one in the picture below. Its in the paint shop right now though. 750 HP. Pretty fast car.

Neither of the pics below are my dads cars but they look identical to these.
 

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I'm another in the original colour corner; that is what makes these cars look like a true "classic"; thus, navy blue, BRG, or black - above all, whatever colour your actual car was first manufactured in, or rolled off the production line wearing.

Cheers
 
I say original color, but I am not crazy about the 81 Malibu... If your going to change the color, at least do it correctly. I probably would paint it purple, just because.

I love classic cars and currently daily a 72 Triumph Spitfire in the heat of Florida. I am also eyeing a 78 Alfa Romeo Spider, with A/C (Rare dealer installed option).
 
The owner of this car told me where he got his car paint done. I think the car looks good. He's around his 60's, easy going person, said this wasn't the original colors but from another car he liked from a photo.

It's very cheerful and simple color for this car, and that's what I like about it so much.

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How would the Malibu Classic look with this same design?
 
@leekohler, that's cool to bring you good memories. I'm not precisely a teenager, but this car I drive is my grandma's.

@Tomorrow, I was thinking on black, however I think it might look like a funeral car. I'm not sure.

@DewGuy1999, yep, thanks man. Unfortunately those original colors are too sad. I'd liked black though.

@lewis82, thanks mate.

@Dr Kevorkian94, DeLorean is a classic!

@Lagmonster, yeah I don't know what's going to happen to the roof.

@Apple OC, the interiors is almost like an apricot.

@iJohnHenry, baby-blue, yeah I was thinking on that color too. Definitely not a sad color yet classic.

@puma1552, I think you're right, but maybe it's good rejuvenating it too.

@VPrime, I'm not sure why you're downranked, lol

@tktaylor1, those are cool cars, thanks for giving me more options.

@Scepticalscribe, thank you.

@StvenH90, great man! any idea for audio?
 
You like the idea on purple? Hmmm, for audio... I always gone with Alpine head and amps, then Infinity speakers.
 
One thing to keep in mind also, given that the paint is pretty beat, is that even if you redid it as the same factory color, you'd probably be blown away.

When paint looks ill it's easy to say the color sucks or whatever, but with fresh paint it will be an entirely different experience.
 
i´d go for some kind of cooper metallic, something subtile (?)

maybe something like this?
Copper11b.JPG
 
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