[kthelen]

I have a '72 Grand Prix which was repainted years ago. The build sheet is long gone. Invoice from PHS shows it was originally ordered with the D98 accent stripe (the pinstripe which follows the body line down the hood, doors, and quarter panels; have also seen this referred to as the "Rally Stripe" on at least one '71 GP build sheet).

Thing is, both the order form and invoice only allow for yes/no on the stripe, not a specific color. So I assume it was the factory, not the customer or dealer, who was dictating the stripe color.

Does anyone know if this is true?

And if so, does anyone have any info which might help me determine what color stripe this car started life with (ie. specific paint/top color combos required particular stripe colors)?

The car's original paint color was Starlight Black, black top, black interior. I've seen photos of cars in that color (though, no idea if they're all original or not) with a gold stripe or a red stripe. Only actual factory example I have first-hand knowledge of is my '71 SJ, which has its original Starlight Black paint, came with a black top and black interior, and has a white stripe. So, I'm stumped!

[kthelen]

For what it's worth, here is an example showing stripe color appearing on a build sheet: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...-grand-prix-9/

Doesn't help in my situation, but good to know anyways.

[428ho4spd]

I've seen white, gold and red as well on black cars. The only way to verify is by the build sheet for the car. It's shown as a two letter code under "ST" in the colors box. I'm sure the customer was able to choose the color on ordered cars, but unsure how the factory chose the color on non-ordered cars. There may be a stripe color chart in the '71 or '72 Sales Manual.

[north]

If I'm not mistaken the stripe colors would be indicated on the paint chip chart that was part of the colors and trim part of the Sales Manual. It might also be on those factory color chip sheets (on the back side). Generally factory pinstriping color was a function of both the exterior color and interior trim color.

btw, pinstriping was standard on SJ and optional on the J, this is why all the SSJ's were based on J's rather than SSJ's.

[chiefpontiac66]

Well, if the build sheet is long gone, I would say pick the color you like best and go with that one. My parents had a brand new 72, Brasilia Gold, white top, saddle interior. The stripe was gold. My white 72 had white interior and white top and black stripe. I've also seen white ones with gold stripes. My current 72 is Anaconda Gold, beige top and saddle interior. the stripe is white. It actually had been repainted and striped, but for some reason they painted over the original stripe on the hood and laid the new stripe on top. So, I knew white was correct. However, of the three cars I mentioned, none of the stripes were consistent with that pewter car in the link. With all of them, the stripe ended with the hood and just before the rear quarter extension. My white 72 was an all-original survivor, one owner car. A photo of my white 72 is actually used by Phoenix Graphix for the 71-72 stripe kit.

[chiefpontiac66]

Sorry about the little photo of the white one. This one should be better.