23B chassis RAL color code , Please!

[Old English White]

I am searching after the RAL ref of the grey used on Lotus chassis , for a 23B chassis ...
Christian.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

The one I had many years ago was what we call in England "Battleship Grey".
Most Race Car manufacturers painted their Space Frames some sort of mid Grey.
Sorry I can't quote a RAL Code but will ask somebody who may know.

Cheers
John

[Elanintheforest]

Lotus seemed to use a lot of grey in the 50's and 60s. The Elite has its engine and suspension all painted the same as the twincam engine.....the same colour as was used on the Ferguson Tractor.

Mark

[dusty]

If it is of any use I have just had my Lotus 7 chassis powder coated with RAL 7012. A mid grey. I'll post a photo later on.

I know that some of the earlier Lotus chassis were a lighter grey though.

Cheers
Jon

[dusty]

Here are some of RAL 7012

Some are with flash and some without.

with flash




without flash


This one I think most closely reflects the true colour.


Cheers
Jon

[Old English White]

That's the one !
Thanks !
Christian.

[nudgernog]

hi christian forget the ral colour chart. its wrong.
you need to get the correct colour by using the good old british standard
colours.
the one you need is from the BS 381C sheet.
and its BS 381 671 middle graphite.

cheers

[timo]

hi christian forget the ral colour chart. its wrong.
you need to get the correct colour by using the good old british standard
colours.
the one you need is from the BS 381C sheet.
and its BS 381 671 middle graphite.

cheers

nudgernog,
Do you know the code for the earlier cars which were definitely a lighter grey?
thanks!

[Old English White]

hi christian forget the ral colour chart. its wrong.
you need to get the correct colour by using the good old british standard
colours.
the one you need is from the BS 381C sheet.
and its BS 381 671 middle graphite.

cheers

Nudgernog ,
By giving me the BS solution that I beleave to be the most accurate , you are not giving me a simple way ... Is the RAL 7012 so far from BS 381 671 , my screen hardly make a difference ... When looking for color chart .
Do I need to ask for a cross chart number between BS and RAL !?!
Any help welcome.
Christian.

[ernest87544]

Jon,

Thank you for posting the photos. It's better to see the color on a whole chassis rather than a little color chip. I have an L23 chassis part that appears to have its original paint and I've been holding it next to my computer monitor comparing with your shots. If anything, RAL 7012 as it appears in the last image is a bit lighter, but still much closer than many Lotus "restorations" in the US. I have just begun to imagine that I will sometime finish the repairs to my L23 chassis so this discussion of color is useful.

My experience is that all Arch Motors chassis were painted the same dark gray, so I'd be a bit surprised if any L23 units were different.

Christian - Are you aware of the L23Registry? It's a YahooGroup website and e-mail list much like this one.

Gerry
23-S-28

[ernest87544]

Now that I've seen the BS 381 671 recommendation, I've been comparing my chassis part with little on-screen color chips again. Yes, 671 does look pretty close. This site (http://www.icomsps.co.uk/colour_chart.htm) has RAL & BS chips side by side but you're still limited by the size and accuracy of rendition.

Gerry
23-S-28

[LFFR]

Gentlemen,

I have a copy of a copy of a copy, etc....of the Lotus 51 (Formula Ford) chassis assembly drawing. In the title block under "Finish" it shows "MIDDLE GRAPHITE BSS 381C 671 STOVE ENAMEL" Photo attached:

I was always unclear regarding the "381C 671" designation. I thought it was a particular manufacurers code as oposed to a national "standard". Just never had the chance to do the research. Thanks!!

I've already saved a copy of the icomsps webpage for future reference. Now to find a proper suitable USA equivalent. Probably something between our Macninery Light Gray and Machinery Dark Gray.

John Mihalich, Jr.
Lotus 61/FF/28; RMVR #61
Lotus 61/FF/108, in pieces
Registrar- Lotus Formula Ford Register http://www.lffr.org
Registrar- Historic Lotus Register http://www.historiclotusregister.co.uk/

[dusty]

The reason I went for the RAL colour was because most (all) of the powder coating companies around here use this standard. I very much doubt whether anyone would be able to tell the slight diffence in colour once the car is finished.

Hopefully the car will be at the Lotus show in Malvern next April so you can tell me then if it looks right or not