Thoughts on changing the interior color on a rare car
 

I have a 69 350 HO convertible 4-speed posi that came in Palladium Silver with a black interior and black top. My first GTO had a red interior and I loved it. Regarding value, what hit would I take if I went with red over the original black? My thoughts are that if a potential buyer (assuming I went to sell it) had a real objection, the cost of switching the interior color is only about $1200. Thoughts?


PS - For reference (I love this car color combo):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Ca...m=162103861987

In my opinion I would change it to the color you desire, it is not that expensive to change back to factory original considering the overall value of the vehicle. Tim john---

Thanks.. I agree. It sucks that I already have the black seat covers and the back seat is already done in new black, but I think I need red. If I sell the car, I'll just include the original door panels and new seat covers.

I think that is the best course of action.

Its your car, life is too short not to get what you want.

Consider a mix. My GTO was all red inside, too much for me. So I stuck with mostly red but changed the carpet and console to black. If you do it right, the look is perfect.

And of course, keep the stuff you change so the next guy can change it back.

Agreed, do what puts a smile on your face. The next buyer may prefer you color choice also!

If I were in your position, I would change it to the color I like. Black, white and silver cars look awesome with a red interior! I have never regretted changing the interior color of my Linden Green '67 GTO from black to parchment...not for one second.

Do it. Its YOUR car. I don't worry about "value". Whenever a new owner takes over, its going to be like he wants it, too. Now if it was a "historical" type car, that's another thing, but I don't think your car is in that category.

I agree that you should set it up the way you want and properly done conversions to other original color combinations shouldn't materially hurt values short of really big value cars.

However changing an interior color is a big job; seats, seat backs, headrests, door and quarter panels, armrests, dashpad, dash bezel, dash board (metal part), cowl (requires removing windshield), ashtray and glove box, rear view mirror, sunvisors, pillar pads, windlace, kick panels, rug, console, steering column and maybe seat belts and steering wheel. Lots of work and if not done properly you will be dealing with peeling bits of red vinyl paint forever.

If originality isn't paramount to you maybe Interceptors idea is good, like a factory parchment interior you could do just the side trim panels and seats in red and leave the rest black. The factory did this with red interiors in the 70's and later.

I thought the same thing. I'm pretty sure it would cost way more than $1200.

Something like this:

I changed the interior to black in my 68 Bird from gold on a green car & it cost me about $ 800.00 then, about 6 years ago & that was with everything in black from the gold. It was so much better I just couldn't live with that goldish green interior another day. Never looked back & didn't hurt it any when I sold it. In fact I think I got more because it was black.

Does it have original drivetrain? My 68 350 HO convertible 4 speed Safe-T-Trac Lemans (they only made 176 of them) is white, white top and white (pearl) interior. I'd love to have a red interior but I decided to keep it original as it has it's original drivetrain. If it didn't have that I'd change it. I'd think your car is very rare too. Neither car will bring GTO (or 400 Firebird) money (nor did it cost GTO or 400 Firebird money) but they stand out in a sea of regular 68 Leman's and Firebirds. Something to think about as far as keeping it original.

Don't do it you know better

The car doesn't have the original drivetrain, but it is a numbers matching 69 WN 350 engine and M20 transmission with the original posi rear.

I have some good news for you. I used to pull parts from the local Pick-A-Part in California in the 80's and 90's. I came across a 68 Lemans hard top that was white with a red interior and it was beautiful. I took the door panels, kick panels, armrests, sun visors and seat belts. I sold the seat belts, bit I still have the rest of it. I'll sell it to you for $50 plus shipping. PM me if you want it.

That's a beautiful interior. Are those new GTO seats?

My first Pontiac was a 70 455 HO GTO HT 4-speed (I was 16). It was white with a red interior, which is why I fell in love with red. You just don't see interiors like those anymore. Everything was bright red... everything. I do like the combos of different colors though and yours works well. A lot of the Trans AM's had funky different color seats and carpet/door combos.

I think I sent you this awesome pic I pulled off the web because I remembered your bond with the red interior of your white GTO.

We both also have a shared experience with Sammy Hagar's song "Red". As he said, "There's no substitute for red."

That Camaro looks pretty amazing.

It all adds up.

You want red.

Red.

Growing up & running town with my 69 Bird there was a girl in town that had a 69 GTO that was withe with red guts & a red top. She loved it but I myself didn't like the red insides on that car.

Get the red! Enjoy it, it's yours.

I love that red 8 track too.