Author Topic: Anyone recognize this paint color? (Read 12609 times)

got2haul · « **on:** June 07, 2006, 10:59:00 am »

This is a 1980 C10. Is this the original paint color? The RPO labels says the truck was originally painted Cardinal Red, paint code 173L (73). There are telltale signs that the truck has been repainted, but I'm not sure if this color is the same as the original. As can be seen by the pictures, there is a definite orangish tint to it. (By the way, both pictures ARE of the same truck -- I just changed the grille to a chrome-trimmed version of the 1977-1979 style and installed NOS bumper guards. For those that will notice, I also changed the headlight bezels and lower grille surround trim to the 1973-1979 style.)

got2haul

Edited by: got2haul at: 6/7/06 10:30 am

DnStClr · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2006, 12:37:00 pm »

Great looking truck, got2haul. The Cardinal red is a real true red with no orange mixed with it. So yours has been repainted. Obviously by someone who knew his stuff. Interestingly enough, Gibson Guitars started painting some of their Fender models with GM paint colors in the 60's, and wouldn't ya know- Cardinal red was one of their colors-

got2haul · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2006, 01:13:00 pm »

Thanks. I managed to get hold of a 1980 brochure and the Cardinal Red it shows doesn't look like this at all. Although it's a decent apint job, I'm not crazy about the red-orange, so I guess I'll just plan to have it repainted someday...

lumpyokc1 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2007, 08:52:33 pm »

i actually had a gallon of cardinal red mixed today and it does have orange in it.

Fordeatinz71 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2007, 01:20:48 am »

as you mentioned, it doesn't look like that at all. you have a GORGEOUS pickup, and i think it looks really darn good with that color, but it's not original.

Captkaos · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2007, 07:48:55 pm »

Paint fades after about 27 years so it ain't gonna look the same, if you get someone to look it at a paint store you can find out if it matches.

alex · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2007, 08:47:51 am »

The cardinal red used in 1980 has an orange tint ;a good reference point to look at is your interior painted metal color especially under the dash pad ;this area will not be faded and is rarely repainted;your interior paint color will be the same as your primary exterior color......

75 C20 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2007, 08:15:34 pm »

that looks like the same color my 79 was when i got it- orginal faded cardinal red
i repainted it cardinal red and it just depends what the lighting is- it might be red or orangeish- usally orange but sometimes it looks red and other times bright orange

75 C20 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2007, 08:31:25 pm »

heres what it looked like when it was still orginal- sry bout the pic- only one i could find real quick

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