Paint Code

[avhation]

Although I am way off painting just yet, can anyone tell me the paint colour code/reference for Medici Blue used in 1966-7 on the S3? I'm pretty sure that Rootes Group used it on Hillman Imp and Sunbeam Alpine.

[theelanman]

I've posted the list to the elan.net web site however dont know where that copy is kept....it is also here
<a href='http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/cheshirelotusownersgroup/files/' target='_blank'>http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/cheshi...ersgroup/files/</a>
cheers
G

[M100]

Medici blue is a bit an unknown - when you consider EVERY other colour that has been used by Lotus since the late 50's has been documented - except one it makes you wonder if it ever existed in the first place

<a href='http://www.mikecauser.com/lotus/parts/paint_codes.html' target='_blank'>http://www.mikecauser.com/lotus/parts/paint_codes.html</a> is the most comprehensive list i've seen - medici blue is not there by the way

[cabc26b]

Medici blue if I am not mistaken was a Series I color only. and yes it did exist, I have had two (2) medici blue S1's both color changed to red. I will be repainting my current S1 to medeci blue in the near future, I have a enough of the original for the paint supplier to color macth. that might also be an option for you....

[M100]

>cabc26b Medici blue if I am not mistaken was a Series I color only. and yes it did exist, I have had two (2) medici blue S1's both color changed to red. I will be repainting my current S1 to medeci blue in the near future, I have a enough of the original for the paint supplier to color macth. that might also be an option for you....
If you do get it colour matched and obtain a formulation it ought to be formally recorded in triplicate and archived online and in a secure bank vault because the factory (and every paint supplier it seems) know NOTHING about it.

It might just be an American thing though with plain white (or other colour) cars being repainted by the importer. It happened a lot in the UK so a dealer could hold less stock and still supply the specification a customer needed quickly.

Is the "Medici Blue" directly over the primer/sealer coat or is there something else inbetween?

Despite your posting I still have my doubts

[Alpine_Ian]

I'd like to see the color Medici blue. I'm very familliar with the Rootes paint colors because my friends and I have documented all of them for the Alpine and Tiger line. My Elan is French Blue, which is very close to being a spot on match to Rootes Mediterranean Blue. Rootes also had Wedgewood Blue, also used on the Lotus. This would be fun to cross reference. I have all the Rootes color schemes documented at www.sunbeamalpine.org.

[M100]

If anyone with access to a definitive sample of Medici blue and is willing to check this formulation out then you might possibly have a match.

Its listed as "Lotus Light Blue" - no Lotus L code was allocated but PPG in the UK list it as used from 1960-1963 which just overlaps the S1 introduction

P030-7FS5

A 100ml (4 ounce) formulation is as follows

Code Description Grams Cumulative
P030-9900 WHITE 86.9
P030-9903 FAST BLACK 89.2
P030-9930 BLUE LAKE 93.4
P062-9965RT VIOLET 104.2

[pereirac]

I have an old Club Lotus colour spec sheet for the Elans and it does not mention Medici blue at all, the Robinshaw and Ross Elan bookjust says that it was introduced in October 62 as an original S1 option but that the Pinchin Johnson Ref is " Not known"....

[avhation]

Following on from Ian Alpine's thoughts above, please see <a href='http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14234&item=7955893522&rd=1' target='_blank'>http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...7955893522&rd=1</a>
which I think illustrates French Blue on the cover of Autobooks' manual, a darker shade than Chrysler Medici/Mediteranean Blue. I have obtained samples of Chrysler Mediteranean and Chrysler Capri Blue; I'll report which is the closer to Medici in due course.

[cabc26b]

The blue on the s4 coupe is way too dark.

M100, with the over spray on the iron work behind the interior pannels, trust me , its the first color down, I have enough on the inside of the door ( i think) to have the ppg guys do a match. Only problen is I wont be painting for awhile.

[M100]

cabc26b>M100, with the over spray on the iron work behind the interior pannels, trust me , its the first color down, I have enough on the inside of the door? ( i think) to have the ppg guys do a match. Only problen is I wont be painting for awhile.

Where are you located cabc26b ?

Usually the best bet for good unfaded paint is behind the rear lamps (assuming its not had a rear end shunt)

[cabc26b]

I'm in Atlanta.

I'll check out the rear of the of the one I own now. I also have the boot lid and two doors off the first medici blue S1 I had ( the doors and boot lid were on the car when it was in race configuration and have been inside for the last 17 years) .

I will have to figure out the bast way to get the top layer of paint off though.....

[avhation]

I have now tried the samples I obtained of Chrysler/Rootes mediteranean blue 100 and Chrysler/Rootes capri blue 110 from Auto-Paint in St Helens who are very helpful. I cannot see any difference between the two and they are both far too light a shade. I will try to post a photo shortly. I have also tried a sample of the paint I retained in 1969 after the inevitable first crash - it is very close, bearing in mind the car was not garaged from 1969 to 1980 and sometimes the sun shines in UK. There is no doubt that the car was delivered in this light blue colour in 1969 via the London Sports Car Centre at Edgware by the way, and I used to see LPL 4D regularly in exactly the same colour so my quest for originality continues. Are there really no Medici blue cars still in circulation?