What is the most sell-able color for a MK IV?

[6t8dart]

I had a question for those of you that have built and sold Mk IV (or I, II, or III) Roadsters. My wife and I were talking over colors and she reminded me that I have a history of building cars, and then selling them after they are completed. My choice was a BOSS Yellow (schoolbus yellow), but she suggested bright solid red. But then I thought, maybe blue with white stripes, but that seems like the most common color. So my question to all of you, what would you pick for a color if you were looking for highest resale value?

[6t8dart]

These are the three colors I was thinking... any other suggestions?

42827

42828

42829

[Martin]

I think blue with white stripes is the most common and sale-able. But then you get into the which shade of blue/white. patriot blue, indigo blue, wimbledon white etc.

Martin

[Jeff Kleiner]

The traditional blue/white would be my suggestion for resale followed by red/white, silver/black plus any of those 3 without stripes in addition to solid black.

Jeff

[David Hodgkins]

I went completely traditional with my color choice and believe it or not, it's not as common as you think. But it's the color combo folks think of when they think of a Cobra:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=10786&d=1342915656

I don't think I'll have too much trouble selling it. I do have some major polishing to do first!

:)

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Forget the Yellow. Blue or Red will sell. One of the shops here had a very nice yellow one that sat for a long time.

EDIT: Just looked & its still listed. I know the car was there when I dropped off my chassis November last year.

[edwardb]

Color is one of the big choices when building one of these. Witness the multiple threads on colors, galleries, "What code is that?" etc. In the end, it's a personal choice made for a lot of reasons. I think you're wise to consider resale as part of the criteria. I see some colors and combinations, that while unique and represent the wishes of the builder for their dream car, probably could limit the market a bit should they choose to sell. As already mentioned, blue is the traditional color and one that many identify with from the originals. Red is also a very popular color. When I was waiting in the staging area for the London show parade last year, and looked out over the sea of cars, I was struck by how many red ones there were. I've built two red ones myself. Generally, people react very positively to that color. With or without stripes again is a personal choice. I don't think either way limits the resale. Both look good. Green, especially IMO British racing green looks great on these cars. Personally I think various greys or silver also look good. Black looks amazing. I would do one that color if it wasn't such high maintenance. These basic colors I think would be very safe. Having said all that, a high quality clean build with good parts is going to be the biggest component of your resale value. That is going to separate you from the pack more than color IMO.

[Gumball]

Edwardb hit the nail on the head when he mentioned build quality. In my opinion, a well built car in a non-polarizing paint scheme (regardless of color), will likely be a good seller down the road.

I had lots of people look at me like I was crazy when I said I was painting mine green, but to a person they all said that it was the right decision.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172533723_zpsrsltwkbs.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_172533723_zpsrsltwkbs.jpg.html)

[carlewms]

Although I have not finalized my color choice ... I am leading to silver with a ghosted stripe.

I suggest going to LCS or the Texas Cobra Club Spring Meet held annually in San Marcos, Texas to see the varieties of color options. Attend local cars and coffee's as well.

Like others have said I suspect that build quality and added features (like PS for example) have a bigger impact on the resale value of the vehicles.

Carl

[68GT500MAN]

Every year at the HB show I do a survey of the colors present. Over the years it has gone from 72% Blue (any shade of blue) to this year it was 63% Blue. The Reds have increased from 10% to 15%. Silver increased over the years but has now been superseded by black.
Doug

[mrmustang]

Resale Red, actually BMW "bright red", color code "314" had the least amount of yellow toners in the mix than even Viper Red, color code "PRN".

No stripes, single, drivers side rollbar, Halibrand style 15" wheels, Vintage style gauges in the Competition dash configuration.

At least that is what has worked for me lately :D

Bill S.

[Blue MK3]

Chris, sort of on the subject of color, but what kind of gas do you use to have the exhaust outlet so gray? My exhaust is soot black, as are both our daily drivers. I haven't seen a gray exhaust since leaded gas was banned in the 70's.

[6t8dart]

I am leaning toward red, but if I really enjoy the car and keep it, that yellow still does it for me. Anyway, I plan to plop the body on and drive it a few months before painting it.

[mrmustang]

I am leaning toward red, but if I really enjoy the car and keep it, that yellow still does it for me. Anyway, I plan to plop the body on and drive it a few months before painting it.

From past experience, if you paint the Cobra yellow, you have alienated 85% of your potential buyers pool. Since you asked for the most salable color, it appears you are looking at the car and the build of it as an investment. Forget that way of thinking, as there are few who will turn a profit when it comes to the sale of their cars. That statement is based on historical data on these cars over the past 20+ years.

Bill S.

[Gumball]

Chris, sort of on the subject of color, but what kind of gas do you use to have the exhaust outlet so gray? My exhaust is soot black, as are both our daily drivers. I haven't seen a gray exhaust since leaded gas was banned in the 70's.

110 leaded.

[Blue MK3]

110 leaded.

Thanks. I didn't think it was 93 unleaded. Now back to the topic at hand.

[6t8dart]

My thought is, that there are people out there that want to drive a Cobra, but don't have the skills, and don't necessarily want to build one. So if I build this one with the intention of being desirable, then if I decide to sell later, I can at least get cost of materials back out of it. And I work with a guy that has already expressed interest in getting one, but he doesn't want to build one. Its possible I may actually sell this car to him before it ever gets paint, which would make it his choice of color.

Personally, I enjoy the build process, but then I start looking for another project when I'm done, hence, why I bought a Mk IV. I finished and sold my 68 Dart this past spring, then I found a deal on an unfinished FFR 33 hot rod, but as I was getting ready to arrange delivery, the owner backed out. I didn't have the budget to buy a new one, so I went with my second choice, the MK IV. I know that I will drive it for a while, then want to build something else, at that point I will sell and buy an FFR 33HR. My friends pointed this out to me years ago, and now I have started to admit it...I have a problem.

[6t8dart]

Cars I built:

42879
42880
42881

[6t8dart]

42882

42883

[Gumball]

Nice cars - I was a Mopar fan back in the day... first car was a '69 Charger.

One suggestion on paint - leave the stripes off and go solid. You or the next owner can always add stripes later - either paint or vinyl.

How about black?

[FFinisher]

Blue and white-Any Blue.

[mrmustang]

My thought is, that there are people out there that want to drive a Cobra, but don't have the skills, and don't necessarily want to build one. So if I build this one with the intention of being desirable, then if I decide to sell later, I can at least get cost of materials back out of it.

You have to really watch your costs if you plan to break even or turn a little profit, at least as an unknown first time Cobra builder. Building up your reputation as a quality builder/seller/reseller of FFR's goes a long way to having people chase you with their money, instead of vice versa.

Also, adding to my post#11, add wipers and a heater to the equation, as there are several states that will not title the cars without both of those items. Having them installed widens your potential buyer pool by at least 20%, and the key to building and/or selling is having a car that appeals the the largest pool of potential buyers.

Bill S.