Cheers, Old Nail. I think I know the style you mean - there were some photos on the Cool Pics thread (I think it was) showing the early D*lly scheme - the contrasting colour is on the doors below the décor strip and on to the 'triangles' on both wings. Yeah, that's nice.

I also love the colours used on a big ol' American 'oldie' on your blog - 2-tone green (a kind of sage green along with a dark moss) - beautiful.

That seam on your back panel - did you seal where it joins the boot floor (as you open the boot and peer right in under that lower edge)? That's a 'sucker' for water is ever there was one. The problem with these mating seams is that they will actively draw water in (could even be surface condensation) by capillary action - the tinnier the gap, the more powerful the draw.

Typically, I couldn't find a photo of a 2cv using the colour pattern that I was referring to in the previous post, but the VW above wears the same thing. It's a style that has been used on various cars since the 1920's, and done tastefully can look amazing. I'll post more on this type of colour scheme later.

I originally intended to paint my car a different green than the one it is in, and the one that I had chosen was a VW colour called Beryl green. That green is a subtle creamy green with which I had hoped to pull off a car that was pretty much unique among 2cv's and yet still looked believe-able as a factory finish. Anyway, for reasons I'll not go into here things went in another direction instead, resulting in the colour combination that I eventually used.

What I would like, and therefore what I wanted to do, was to build a car that was reminiscent of the 1960's not only in it's colour but in its character. I remember the 60's as being a time of great optimism, and the car would reflect that also. A pale pastel colour would be the base of the design, something that was light and cheerful without being eye-wateringly bright. I'm also passionate about light vehicle interiors which, while not the most practical of things do make the actual driving experience superb.

The colour I settled on for this project was a modern day equivalent of the Citroen colour AC310 Jaune Pastis as seen on the van below.

Jaune Pastis

The modern equivalent of this colour is one known as Macha Creme, a pale greenish yellowish colour used on modern Honda's such as the Jazz below.



Why I chose this colour?

Well there are several reasons that are all to do with what I envisaged the finished item to be. As I mentioned I wanted a light airy feeling to the interior, and the 1960's continental vibe was to use white steering wheels and whitewall tyres which seemed to suit vehicles over on the sunny continent but not so much here in rain splashed blighty.

I figured that as many 2cv's aren't used in all weathers any more then the continental style of 'sunny days and holidays' look would work. The colour is rare enough to be different, light enough to look 1960's, and most importantly would match up perfectly with an ivory coloured interior, and contrast beautifully with the red of the tail lights. Such small details really matter if you are to get it right.

Imagine stepping toward a pristine 2cv in this colour, you open the door to be greeted by light ivory door trims, light grey door hinges and switchgear, wiper cover, and a white Quillery steering wheel.

The seats would be in ivory colour also, even leather if the budget stretched, and a greater emphasis would have been placed on soundproofing as I did on my own car, I can vouch personally for the difference it has made. In this way the interior would feel as bright as having the roof open even when it was closed, and as large and comfortable as many a modern car, the roof was also to be of Ivory colour by the way.

Rather than full whitewall tyres, I'd opted to go for the narrow white band type, which give just enough of an accent to make the car stand out, yet not so much as to make it look overblown. The finishing touches would be the fitting of a narrower headlamp bar, which for me is an absolute must in terms of making a 2cv look 'right', and a 60's double chevron grille.

Much of this I carried out on mine, but I finally succumbed to the need for practicality as regards the colour scheme as this was no longer to be a second, or hobby car but my daily driver. I'd still like to do a car to the spec above, but I don't think I'll ever get the chance again.

There are those that might consider a 2cv to be a cheap working vehicle ill suited to being turned into a 'luxury' vehicle, and I agree. When I look at some of the German 2cv's that are kitted out with virtually everything from Der Franzose's catalogue I think they have perhaps gone a little too far, but the beauty of my scheme is although it appears to be swish and posh, it's actually only achieved by the use of colours and not expensive add ons.

with you on this one O-N baby blue, jade green etc need chrome trim and take "blinging"

I went that route when I had my 2cv restored almost 3yrs ago, but decided to keep with the original Vert Bambou et Blanc Meije. I like it, but often wish I'd gone for a more classic look like you've done with your Old Blue Bamboo, Old-Nail.

Here's a photo of my ride.

I once did one of mine in that pattern Johnathan, using grey over blue, that's actually the other d8lly style that I find looks ok.

The colour schemes that I like most are different for the different models of 2cv. For example a suicide door ripple for me would have to be in Monte Carlo blue, as that colour just looks so universally good on such a car.



Later cars such as the Azam range can wear pretty much anything in Blue grey green range quite happily. Here's one in AC622 Bleu Cyclades.


AC622 Bleu Cyclades.


Bleu monte-carlo


Gris Dandy AC138


vert cacté AC513

This one above is interesting as it's actually a green, but to all intents and purposes could pass as a grey. The two greens that are most commonly seen on cars of the period are Vert Embrum as on the ripple below, and of course vert Agave which is pretty much what my car is.

There is one other colour that suits the Azam type car really well, in fact if I was to do another AZAM-alike I'd probably go for that colour which is Gris ardois, or slate bluey grey. I couldn't find a photo of it to put on here but I remember seeing a pic of an AZAM at last years Tan Hill done out in it, when combined with nice red seats and interior it is an absolute knockout colour.

Edit: Here it is, but it doesn't show up well in this pic.




Vert Embrun.

Finally, for the club or Charleston type cars I recommend a different tack. The light, breezy pastel shades of the 1960's tend to work best with the plain old style dash and interior which gives it that classic car feel, but the club dash is a different proposition.

A colour combo that I'd like to see is Ruby red and cream, done in the aforementioned early d*lly pattern. I'm aware that colour is a subjective thing, but for me it's important to get the shade right as well as the colour which is why I say Ruby red. Opinions vary, but mine is that a bright red looks too 'kiddies pedal car', while a dull red like maroon is very dreary.



Ruby red is a darker red, which looks 'expensive' somehow, it also combines with cream/ivory/old English white beautifully. Being a slightly darker red it allows for practical daily use and yet will shine up better than a lighter shade would. The contrasting colour would then act as relief for the strong ruby red, and again allow for a matching interior if so desired.

This combo has been used well on some very expensive motor cars of the past such as the Delage below, I've yet to see a 2cv use this type of mix, so there again an individual yet stylish look can be had by the simple expedient of using colour creatively instead of piling on the bling.


Delage.

Any better?



Lovely car that. I believe he sold it not long after Tan Hill though. Reckon it might have been on Ebay at some point.

Yes that's the one.

That car looked very well made and 'solid' in that colour, it's funny how a paint colour can change the perception of the quality of a vehicle for the better. With its light red interior in bold contrast with the dark slate grey exterior that car looked much more classy than 2cv's usually do, very nice indeed. In fact Emmerdale farm must be fifty miles from Tan Hill but as you can see in the photo Seth Armstrong came all the way up the hill to look at it.

As I said everyone has a different take on what colours to use to make themselves happy, and with that in mind there are no 'wrong' colours I suppose, because if the owner likes it then it's the right colour! Then it's only when you come to sell it that you will find if the colour also appeals to others or not.

If you are going for a certain look however, then colour is the way to do it. Why spend a fortune adding tacky aftermarket bits, or mini-lite wheels, when the car has to have paint on it no matter what, so by picking a good paint combination the job is done all in one go without any further expense.

My cup runneth over, O-N. What a selection of stunning colours. Much obliged.

Here's the other one I referred to earlier - I'd forgotten it was on a model car!



These colours go sooo well together - I wonder what they are?!

On a related note, why do metallic colours just not work on a Deux Chevaux? I'm 'glad' they don't, but wonder why it automatically looks wrong?

DA i think its something to do with the angles and curvs of the car!

You mean I own the wrong car...