Rarity of 1971 Formula colour
 

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the board.Though i have visited as a guest many times.
I own a 1971 Formula 400.
I am slowly restoring it. It is mostly disassembled right now.

It has paint code 43 tropical lime, and deluxe interior code 216 jade green.

Just wondering if anyone would know how rare this combo is.

I was thinking of keeping the the tropical lime when i repaint.But am thinking of going with a black interior which I have good parts.

Thanks

That's a very color combo, especially jade interior.

Some other Pros on this forum can probably give you exact stats.

It's SO '70s, I would restore it back to the original.
It'd look great!

If you'd ever consider selling, let me know.

Good luck on the resto!

I used to own a 71 GTO 455HO automatic with that exact same color combination. I thought it was pretty ugly. Had I kept the car, I would have definitely changed the color.

I have seen one 71 Formula 400 4-spd in that color/interior combo. I also parted out a 71 Formula clone (was an Esprit) that was green/green, but the exterior had been repainted white.

I don't think the limelight green cars are exactly rare, because the greens were very popular in the early 70s. I think many have been repainted other colors, while others may have not survived due to the color. Limelight green paint is really ugly when it's in poor shape.

Mike

I like the tropical lime!

Have a look-see at Tom Miller's awesome '71 GTO 400 4 speed he just restored.

http://216.178.81.108/forums/showthread.php?t=420466

Very, very nice, IMHO.

I don't mind that colour either... I would be inclined to keep it (I have a picture at home of a superbly restored early formula in that hue - it looks great!)
I too would like to know if certain colours are rare...

You certainly don't see a lot of Shadow Gold cars either
(Do ya Lloyd?)
It's also a beautiful color!

I'm still kickin' my self in the rear for missing one a few years ago.

My 70 bird had the same green and jade green int. I really like it. My business partner has a 70 bird too with the same color and int as mine.

Brown, light green, and pewter/silver are my least favorite colors. Yellow is OK on some cars, but not many.

I had a friend who bought a 73 T/A 455 4-spd that was painted bright yellow. IMO, that was not a pretty car. It was quick, though. The surprising thing is the car was originally Bucanneer Red. I can't understand why somebody would paint a factory red car yellow.

Mike

I find that colors like that green look very unique and interesting when properly redone in a modern base/clear paint. The clear gives them much more character.

Isnt the 71 GM official firebird postcard car that color as well??

It grows on you, or at least it did me
 

You will have no trouble locating a Tropical Lime car in a Kmart parking lot
full of red,blue,black,green cars! Or a car show for that matter.

Go with the original color, you won't regret it!
 

I tried to show before and after to give an idea of old dead faded paint in
comparison to fresh base/clear.

Good luck with your Bird!

B.T.W. as far as the rarity issue, earth-tone colors were very popular in the
late 60's and early 70's. There were probably more Tropical Lime cars built
than a person would guess, but then again, how many are left???? Damn few
I would say. Go to some car show's(National Pontiac shows) and I bet there
is a good chance that only one (if any) will be there.

I can't say that in 1971 if I had walked into a Pontiac showroom, sat down
with a car salesman and ordered a new GTO that I would have picked this
color, in fact I almost changed color during the restification myself, but when
I started asking myself when the last time was I had seen this color, and
didn't have an answer, I decided it had to be Tropical Lime.
And now with the car done, I don't think I would be happier or as happy with
it any other color. Just my opinion.

Tropical Lime it is.
 

The GTO looks great 4spdT37.

I agree that the tropical lime does grow on you. And you are right how many cars do you see still in this colour?
Code 43 it is, for the bird.

71 formula
 

Hey if you inted to use the original color for your firebird would you consider selling you black interior parts if so email a list of what you have my 71 firebird has hardly any interior parts and im looking for black unless you know of anyone else who might have any thanks

not sure if i'd keep the green.. but the original color of mine is aztec gold with white or tan interior that someone spray painted and no im not going back to that color... thanks

that lime green looks so nice when done right.I'm thinking of doing the same to my bird, just mix a bit of gold to it or something to change it up a bit

talk about a 70's color combo, my car was originally sandalwood w/brown vinyl roof & dark saddle interior.....

i'm glad the previous owner chose the current color combo, i like it better

Stick with the stock colours! I love greens, golds, and silvers on the old cars.