[Dangerous Dan]

Okay, seeking opinions here...
I have a '66 GT deluxe coupe and am trying to figure out if I should stick to originality and paint it the original Sauterne Gold metallic, which I'm not totally in love with, or be free to go another direction. I am totally restoring it, stripping to bare metal. I know the deluxe coupe's production #'s are about 10% of the builds, but how much more rare is it as a "GT" also? It was very highly optioned and was a white vinyl top car, black GT stripe, and parchment/ivy gold deluxe. It does look classy that way..
It will already have bolt on mods...nothing I can't reverse (T5, engine mods, suspension goodies) but the paint and interior colors aren't as easy to change...
Oh and Merry Christmas (I'm at work..)

 

[DJH1211]

I think that your car would always be desirable in the class of Custom Restoration, so do with it what you wish and create your dream. Unless it is totally bone stock, it is already out of the high leagues, but it will always be collectible. Please don't paint it a color you don't love.:shigrin

 

[Dangerous Dan]

Good point. Problem is, I love the right color, but I really appreciate authenticity too. Just not sure how rare it is, the rarity issue would resolve my fears..

 

[86967]

that gold color was pretty rare, I'd redo it as it rolled off the line

 

[Joes72/65]

I'd just paint it a color you love as Slither says. Neither of mine is the color it was sold, but they are colors I wanted. If you plan to keep the car, make it what makes you happy. I don't always agree with original buyers' choices, but it's a little late to pick differently!

 

[mustangnewbie41]

Sorry i would always go original paint. I think it just looks better.

 

[David Suesz]

Sorry i would always go original paint. I think it just looks better.

Fred Glazier once had a 66 GT K code coupe in Sauterne. Paint looked kinda dull and boring when he got it, but after it was painted it was a real show stopper. I'm guessing you've never seen Sauterne in good condition. A very rare color, by the way.

 

[Charlie6]

I love the color and its not one you see very often. Here's mine. Original color on A code GT

 

[SDMustangRider]

I had/have that color on my car, but it's more of the flat version now!! haha :kooky: I thought about going that route too, but decided I might go with that light bluish color when it first came out with these Mustangs.

 

[The Greek]

In my opinion the current color is best left back in the 60s. I remember when that was popular. It didn't do a thing for me then and it still doesn't do a thing for me now. A big Lincoln, maybe, but not a Mustang.

I do know which color would be the best, though. The color of your choice. It's your car now. I could tell that the current color isn't for you because you've questioned it.

 

[Joes72/65]

I could tell that the current color isn't for you because you've questioned it.

Exactly - couldn't have put it any better!

 

[Dangerous Dan]

Thanks, Charlie for the pic of yours...beautiful. That's probably most of the problem, I haven't seen them restored in that color, as it is rare. It will be hard for me to change the color, I really think preserving the historical look is worth something...There's nothing like stirring a memory for someone at the gas station...when you start to change colors and do other customization you also limit your resale market...but as some of you have stated, if I'm keeping it that doesn't matter as much. Trying to visualize the finished product when there's hardly any Sauterne Gold examples to see....just do a Google search...is tough. Thanks again for the pics, and all of your imput everyone..

 

[Dangerous Dan]

Any more pics of Sauterne cars? If not original, I'm thinking of that deep metallic blue on the later BMW's...awesome

 

[The Greek]

Now you're talking, Dan, when you mentioned that shade of blue.

 

[GGregory]

In most cases I would go with the original color. The Sauterine Gold color in it's prime is breath taking I will say.

I was just checking my Mustang Bible and there's no listing for Sauterine Gold for the 66 year, only 67. However a later build of a 66 could have that color. The listing with the same color code Z (for both 66 and 67) is for Med. Sage Gold Met. in the 66 year and Sauterine Gold for the 67 year. Are these two paints the same?

Greg

 

[Dangerous Dan]

I have a copy of the 1966 ford PPG paint chips, it shows 43433 Sauterne Gold Poly. "Z" code on door. Also, In stripping the paint the original color, especially under the black engine area paint, is definitely that color. You might have something with the late year idea, as my car was built in San Jose September 31st, If memory serves.

If I do change the color I'd have a lot of thinking to do..it was a white top, and parchment/ivy gold interior...If I went blue that would obviously have to change, then I'm totally off the door tag specs.

 

[GGregory]

Dan, I would say your car may be one of the 1st to have that color. Was your car built in Sept of 66? That would be a very late 66 car. I thought around mid Aug they changed over to the following year. San Jose cars may be different. My car was built in Oct of 65 at the Metuchen NJ plant. It's an early 66 and it has some 65 parts on it.

KODAK Gallery | Photo Merchandise

Greg

 

[Dangerous Dan]

Not sure what I was thinking....mine is an early '66.. Built in september of '65. Do you think, Greg, the color charts I've downloaded are wrong? What is the mustang "Bible"? Maybe it is that other color...sounds similar.

 

[imnezrider]

I love the color and its not one you see very often. Here's mine. Original color on A code GT

Not high on my list, but yours is absolutely beautiful!!!

 

[GGregory]

Dan,

My Mustang Bible is "How to Restore Your Mustang" by Larry Dobbs & Donald Farr. In the back it has all the codes and etc. I was just looking again and it does list Sauterne Gold in the Exterior color combo with interior trim availibilty for the 66 year. It does not list that color for exterior color during the 66 year in the exterior paint section of the book. Why?

It does say this " Occasionally a paint color will carry over into early production units of the following year. Although not listed as available or having been discontinued. Conversely, late production units were often painted with colors which were not charted available untill the next model year".

I do know this, that just about anything can and did happend when those early mustangs were built. Strange things have happend.

Greg