DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Mike wrote:But still no inclination to take it back to it's original colour?

That must be a tough call! ......

....most would say a car with the calibre of an RS should always be how it left the factory but when it's been this colour for nearly all its life???

I'd be inclined to leave as is.

Had the car been restored in the 80',90's or later and colour changed then I think there would be no argument about returning it to chartreuse. The fact that it still wears 73 or 74 paint and has never been restored and still retains all of its original panels (except perhaps the front spoiler) makes it more of a difficult decision. I consider the black paint to be part of an unusual history now I know the full story. There are not many unrestored 73 RS's out there. With chartreuse showing on every panel it kind of tells the story without it being repainted. The rest of the car (interior etc) is original too (I have the original seats) so much of the patina would be lost with a repaint (new headliner, rubbers etc) and the temptation when you get it stripped down would be to fully restore to 'as new' like so many are. Then all would be lost in terms of character and originality. I look at full nut and bolt restos and think 'I'd like that' but then I also like what I've got.

I think the decision will be made when the car 'needs' a metalwork restoration. All or nothing is the place I'm at just now.

Edit: I wrote this before I saw Darren's reply.

It is a tough call.

Regards
Mike

I saw Mike's car when he was in London a little while ago and it had a very nice, comfortable patina to it. Car seemed happy in black and I have to say I'm with him that I would leave well alone until it needed metal and paintwork.

Once the time came ..... I would definitely go Chartreuse but only because I love the colour!

More period photos from around 1978 near Milan.
I was gobsmacked to see these in my inbox this morning from a very good friend obviously keeping a watchful eye on Italian media.
Thanks Andrea.












Regards
Mike

Wow!!! What would we do without the internet and e-mail...

Indeed Keith, indeed.

Regards
Mike

Looks good with the red decals

Mike

Fantastic, you must be really pleased, nothing tops period photos of a current car.......having looked at the rest of the thread I now fully understand why you decided to keep it black, a decision only reinforced by the discovery of photos like this.

Bootsy wrote:Looks good with the red decals

It’s always had a tiny red decal Bootsy.....

On the duck.

Regards
Mike

Lovely 356 Mike

Time to break out the red decals for a ‘78 retrospective

Gary71 wrote:Lovely 356 Mike

Time to break out the red decals for a ‘78 retrospective

Well Gary, if you are going green...............

Regards
Mike

You could just gently sand your car back.

Now that would be fun!

Fantastic photos Mike

Gary71 wrote: You could just gently sand your car back

Bloody Genius!
Just think, original 73 paint that has been preserved under a layer of black for 45 years.
How many of the 23 chartreuse RS's are still wearing original paint?

It might just work!


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Did it do anytime on the road in chartreuse or was it repainted on delivery?