Lotus Elite Blue

[theelanman]

which one is which......

and has anyone got corresponding pics with colour codes

I want to get my car back to its original colour.......its been painted black.....badly

it was Blue.........

[TAR]

Do you have the colour code from the VIN plate? 

 

[theelanman]

Other than the serial no......there's a small number scribed in the corner.......in a similar location to that on a +2.......however the number I saw didn't start with an L...so didn't take note

I think that I want to choose the lotus dark blue......not the Essex blue.......just need pics and it's reference..........

It seems to be that  colour under the crap paint anyway....lol

[theelanman]

Chaps

any idea what colour blue this is?

thanks

G

 

[TAR]

@theelanman this is Oxford Blue

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19/arizona/lots/r0099-1977-lotus-esprit-series-1/732254  

[theelanman]

@TAR thanks....

any idea what colour the blue is in the pic above?

[oilmagnet477]

Gareth - your best bet is probably shelling out for a certificate from Andy Graham (Lotus Archivist) which will tell you exactly how the car left the factory. Got one for my Elite and it is a real 'nice to have' with the car.  He will need the Reg and the VIN number.

Cheers - Ant

[pbharcourt]

I had a blue Elite a long time ago, I think it was Lagoon blue, the same as the late model elan  +2S130 .

[theelanman]

ok so I've got Mediterranean Blue ........

Ive got the paint code.......but can I find a pic of a car in the same colour........???

like chuff I can........anyone able to help please......

[oilmagnet477]

https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/paint_color_reference_lotus

Mediterranean Blue appears to be an 86-88 yr colour?

see here for a larger sample - I appreciate it isn't on a car but it is a good indication. I suspect this wasn't the original colour of your car however........?

http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?ditzler=18371&con=4&page=1&rows=50&size=large

Lotus Esprit below finished in Med blue (according to the sales blurb):

https://online.handh.co.uk/m/lot-details/index/catalog/43/lot/13136/

@theelanman Any help?

[theelanman]

Ant

this is getting worse.......the confusion I mean.......

the colour I have is this....

A32.......or at least thats what the vin plate says.......Mediterranean Blue ICI P4217215....but the lotus colour is C082B6126J....which is a later Esprit colour....so its had a colour change......and a new vin I guess........

I am getting to the point where Im not bothered about getting the correct paint on it.....

a) coz it seems to be so difficult to work out which blue is which......

b) coz I cant cross reference codes with actual pics

who knew it was such a bloomin mine field........

it was ded easy with my old elans........L01 onwards........(altho' they too had 6 blues........French Blue, Glacier Blue, Indigo Blue, Lagoon Blue, Royal Blue & Wedgewood Blue)

think I should have stuck to red......lol

cheers

G

 

ps

the pic of that esprit is what Im after........ 

[Straker]

I think you best hope is to see what the Lotus Archivist report says.

[theelanman]

ok

so the car was.......A32 Mediterranean Blue ICI P4217215 C082B6126J

I cant find a pic of this colour anywhere......

can anyone help?

Ive even put it in google and all that comes up is yellow cars......lol..........

[Trunnion 74]

You could always buy a can of it?  or see if they will do you a colour sample??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/372460781508?chn=ps

[theelanman]

ok so its going to be Lagoon Blue

are these the right codes?

L12LAGOON BLUE

PJ 6170A1130

A036B6357V (lotus part number from the 60's Elan)

ICI P0314339 

 

also should I paint the sills black?...........below the chrome strip that runs front to back between the wheels......

thanks

G

[Angus553]

On ‎08‎/‎01‎/‎2019 at 10:51, theelanman said:

Chaps

any idea what colour blue this is?

thanks

G

 

my blue 78 elite is L09 Royal blue scribed badly on the vin plate and is on original paintwork. Mine does look darker and is taken from roughly the same position. Hope this helps even for elimination purposes. The full code is I/L09 on my vin plate. 

Edited July 17, 2019 by Angus553
additional info.

[theelanman]

Thanks Angus.........

so its gone to paint...........I now have to ramp up my search for the right colour........

it is lagoon blue.......but Ive seen so many pics of lagoon blue and they all look very different..........

I would like it to look like this one or the elan +2 

 

[pbharcourt]

I think lagoon blue on the elan is cellulose and lagoon blue on the elite was two pack with clear lacquer over which would account for the difference in shades.

[theelanman]

so Im still so unsure and the body is now prep'd

lagoon blue does look very dark at times.......and I want a good strong blue....almost like the Azure Blue (the life style paint was that same just more 'flek' in it)

I dont want to paint it in a colour Im going to hate.............Ive seen a couple of lagoon blue elans and some look brighter than others.....some look 'flat and grey'

the pics of the elite and elan are supposedly lagoon blue but I cant find a definitive answer........do we think the above pics of the elan and elite are lagoon blue????

and then the last question is the sills.........are they painted black?........

Im thinking I can always leave the sills and then do a black 'wrap' on them later as stone chip protection

[EXCEL V8]

Yes - the sills, bumpers and front spoiler were satin black.  Why don't you get a couple of aerosols made up by your local paint supplies shop - you can spray them and see which blue you like best.

Pete

[mikeeech]

Paint choice is hard. You do only get one shot at it so I can understand your uncertainty but remember though, that any colour with freshly painted car will produce an amazing transformation. Especially when sealed and polished with a good carnauba wax that will really make it shine.

[theelanman]

fortunately we have found a patch of original pristine paint......

so we're getting it scanned and then painted in the resulting scan......

[Straker]

Where was that patch lurking?

[theelanman]

Under the chrome trim above the passenger side rear window.........

Under most of the chrome trim to be fair.....it's obvious that none of this trim was taken off when it was 'blown over' in black

[Straker]

Thats a very fetching colour, hopefully the trim is in good shape.