Color question: CSX3040

[JohnK]

I recently came across a video showing CSX3040, a 427 S/C that was sold at auction by Sotheby's in 2018 for $2.95M incl. fees. I absolutely fell in love with the color scheme and overall look of the car. Anyone know what colors these are? The silver is reminiscent of a vintage silver color you'd see on a Mercedes gullwing. The white doesn't look to me like Wimbleton White - it looks like a warmer, "creamier" white, but it may just be the lighting. Any guesses on colors?


https://youtu.be/UxqIFAsLJm0

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az18/arizona/lots/r212-1966-shelby-427-cobra-semi-competition/616914

[GThompson]

That looks like Viking blue with Wimbledon white stripes, same colors as the Daytonas in ‘64. Wimbledon white is the “creamier” white, is almost an ivory color.

[JohnK]

Hmmm.... not sure. I don't see any blue in that color. Here's a screen grab from the actual auction of the car:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=124185&d=1584406916


https://youtu.be/vst46VcOZWs

[Papa]

I think that color is called Sapphire Blue, or at least that's what the original color was.

CSX3015 09/1965 Metallic Blue Twin-Paxton, Shelby's car
CSX3021 09/1966 Hertz Gold Earliest S/C by chassis number
CSX3022 10/1966 Primer (Painted Gold by the dealer)
CSX3023 09/1966 Guardsman Blue
CSX3024 09/1966 Red
CSX3025 12/1966 White
CSX3030 01/1966 Green First S/C sold
CSX3031 05/1966 Guardsman Blue
CSX3032 06/1966 Sapphire Blue
CSX3033 05/1966 Ivy Green
CSX3034 06/1966 White
CSX3035 08/1966 Silver
CSX3036 06/1966 Green
CSX3037 06/1966 Green
CSX3038 08/1966 Candy Apple Red
CSX3039 02/1966 Sapphire Blue
CSX3040 08/1966 Sapphire Blue
CSX3041 06/1966 Guardsman Blue
CSX3042 11/1966 Sapphire Blue
CSX3043 10/1966 Blue
CSX3044 11/1966 Sapphire Blue
CSX3045 05/1966 Red
CSX3046 08/1966 Guardsman Blue
CSX3047 08/1966 Hertz Gold
CSX3048 11/1966 Primer
CSX3049 06/1966 Guardsman Blue
CSX3050 07/1966 Orange
CSX3051 07/1966 Guardsman Blue
CSX3052 08/1966 Blue
CSX3053 08/1966 Red Last Comp car chassis

I can't seem to find any good pictures of the color in unfiltered photos, but it looks like a silver in some lighting and blue in others.

[JohnK]

For comparison, here's Mercedes Silver-Grey Metallic (DB 180):

124186

124187

[JohnK]

Thanks Papa. Definitely not trying to be argumentative, but when I google terms like "Sapphire Blue Shelby Cobra" all the photos in the ensuing search results look like, well... blue. None of those are remotely close to what I'm seeing in the photos I linked above. is it possible that CSX3040 started life as a Sapphire Blue Cobra but was repainted something else when it was restored? The first video indicates that it was restored by Mike McCluskey in Torrance, CA. I may try to make a call tomorrow to see if they're willing to share any info on the color.

[Papa]

Here is one example I found:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=124195&d=1584409618

More of a silver tone, but still see a lot of blue in it.

[Papa]

Well, this article says it was done in silver, but doesn't go into any more details:

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1114567_this-original-shelby-cobra-427-should-fetch-millions-at-auction

...finishing it in silver with white and yellow stripes and white number “meatballs.”

[aquillen]

Looks a lot like Steel City (Cities) Gray - Corvette - I put that on a 69 vette that I had, was originally a light blue. I've read something about a green look sometimes but I never saw that in my paint job. Was a great looking paint.

[i.e.427]

Our customer really like that combination and had Miller paint the car those colors. Hit up Miller, he should remember the colors.

And before the comments on the "trailer wheels" start flying, the car is back here in the i.e.427 shop for a brake upgrade and new F5R Halibrands to complete the look of CSX3040

https://live.staticflickr.com/7830/46458976375_016559cf45_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dMqp54)20190311_115946 (https://flic.kr/p/2dMqp54) by i.e.427 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152631091@N02/), on Flickr

[Avalanche325]

Here is another article that just says "Silver and white". It looks more grey to me.

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AZ18/Arizona/lots/r212-1966-shelby-427-cobra-semi-competition/616914

It also says "Accordingly, CSX 3040 was handed over to Mike McCluskey of Torrance, California, the highly respected Cobra restorer and expert". It might just take a phone call to get the exact paint code.

[JohnK]

I called them today and spoke with their painter. Very nice guy. He remembered the car, and remembered that it was painted with Cromax. He didn't remember the exact blend of toners off the top of his head, and he was in the middle of painting a car, but he said he'd look it up in his book later on. I'll call back in a few days and see if he was able to find it.

[Avalanche325]

I called them today and spoke with their painter. Very nice guy. He remembered the car, and remembered that it was painted with Cromax. He didn't remember the exact blend of toners off the top of his head, and he was in the middle of painting a car, but he said he'd look it up in his book later on. I'll call back in a few days and see if he was able to find it.

Isn't it great dealing with real car guys?

[MartinFL]

I called them today and spoke with their painter. Very nice guy. He remembered the car, and remembered that it was painted with Cromax. He didn't remember the exact blend of toners off the top of his head, and he was in the middle of painting a car, but he said he'd look it up in his book later on. I'll call back in a few days and see if he was able to find it.

Did you ever find out the name of the color?
Thank you