And along similar lines ....

....methinks I prefers Mr Nails choice though .....although I must admit that at the time [when I saw the G&W beetle] .....I thought it tidy looking enough to take a pic of it.

T.

I don't know if they do factory two tone cars anymore?

They were really big in the 50's and 60's, especially as the body styling of the day lent itself to having say - the car one colour and the roof another. Or there would be a divide which ran along a swage line on the body from where the new colour would start.

Just using pastel shades gives a 'classic' feel on it's own, but move on to two colour paint jobs and you open up another world of possibilities. I think that the more subtle the colours that are asked to sit together, the better the effect, hence something as simple as a grey and white car pulling it off nicely.

When you then start to look into using 'coloured greys', such as a blueish grey, or greenish grey and so on it widens the possibilities once again. In one of the posts above I remarked how the vert cacti green car looked almost grey, and that's the sort of thing you can play with to create infinite colour schemes all of which are simple, yet different, unique even.

I've mentioned elsewhere that I spent some time studying psychology, and there is such a thing as the 'psychology of colour' which is another interesting phenomena. Basically it teaches us that by using certain colour combinations you can illicit different responses from people on a subconscious level, the viewer doesn't know that this is happening to them, but will often come out with a statement such as;

"I like that car, I don't quite know what it is about it...but I just like it"

So it's possible to paint a car which in some way represents your own personality, you might for example choose a bold red similar to the Red Barons triplane, a colour he chose deliberately to say "This is me, if you think you're good enough come and get me - I don't need cammoflage!"

Or it's possible to reflect an era, so pastels for the 50's and 60's 'Doris Day' era, then bolder, sharper colours for the late 60's, stretching into the very bold, somewhat ridiculous candy flake metallic paint explosions of the 'glam rock' 70's.

The only thing to bear in mind is that when choosing a scheme that reflects your own sense of self, there will come a period when you might want to sell that vehicle to someone else, and they are not you, so the sale will be a less profitable one than if you had used a generalpsychologically appealing one.

Meanwhile my search for a camper van continues.

Twice this week the Mrs has said something like "As I watched you drive away in the 2cv this morning I felt it was such a shame that we have to sell her."
Hmmm... she's wobbling, I need to evoke a bit less sentiment around the car, but how do you do that with a cherished 2cv?



I think that our mental image of what this camper might look like when it comes are similarly out of sync. The wife has a picture something like this, only perhaps with window boxes full of roses and birds sitting on the roof tweeting as butterflies flutter by, I on the other hand, perhaps typically, have been strangely drawn to this.



Having just discussed the psychology of colour I think that this Old-Nail web name may well be apt. My interest in mentalism is increasing too, what was once simply a case of cherry picking the best bits for their practical application in my former line of work, has grown into a real fascination for the workings of the mind. I'm now learning hypnotism - seriously.

Maybe I can hypnotise the Mrs to see van A when we actually own van B? Speaking of magic spells, I've just been listening to this on you tube. Don't let the first ten seconds of gravelly voiced intro put you off, the actual song is amazing. There's no video to it, because you don't need one, just close your eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZlUUswAvo8&feature=related

Then again, if I could afford the van below I wouldn't need to use any magic, it's beautiful, and even in 'my' colour!

nail why dont you get an old h van and convert it into a camper?? and get some birds and some window box plants thingys to keep the mrs happy?

Could work!

Re. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZlUUswA ... re=related it's a great song, but my fave version has always been the bonkers one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d5RNJEqgas

Can't afford one James. Have you seen the asking prices for those that aren't coming apart at the seams?

I liked that original song version Smiffy, the guy actually says 'Whazzzup' in it. Can't think why they call him 'Screaming' Jay whatever though.

In keeping with the 1960's feel of my car tomorrow I'll be sticking silver foil over the grille to act as a muff, it's been bloody cold up here for the last few days. I think every car in Britain used to do that back in the day, once again Citroen were quite advanced in providing ready made items.

i admitedly havent seen the prices!! i dont want to now!!

Dear Old Nail,

Just some more food for thought. I currently have a caravan that I might be stripping. Basically I am considering putting it in the back garden (and disguising it somehow) and using the shell as a studio/work room/garden den. Basically my misses has banned me from any more sheds, but feels a caravan is OK (? -I am not complaining, its insulated and waterproof....but I guess when she locks me in it it will make more sense, although apparantly if I clad it in shiplap it will be fine.....so its not a shed, it just looks like one...I knew I shouldnt have let her move back near to her mother....anyway..).

There will be an excellent working 3 way fridge, a sink, hob/grill, cushions, 12v lights etc.....all the bits to make a panel van into a camper van. It wont be a project for me until the spring, I was going to ebay the bits....but if you want first refusal....no need to say yes or no yet, just bear in mind. Or consider getting a cheapo caravan somewhere else and having the bits.

Even if an H van is a bit pricey, the conversion of other interesting panel vans isnt too expensive if you can get the "guts" from a doner. Ive done a couple previously like this (including my current - sorry to mention it - VW..).

Anyway just a thought and as I say would be a few months away.

Regards

My Dear Mr. Squeezebox,
That sounds like an absolutely splendid solution.

There's no rush to get on with it at the moment as a suitable van needs to be sourced at this end, so late spring sounds fine. Why... I'd even break this exciting news to Mrs. Nail immediately but for the fear of interrupting something that I believe is called 'Britains got the X factor in the jungle' .

Seriously mate, very good of you to offer first refusal, let me know when you are ready.

I always thought it was 'Britains got the dancing X factor in the jungle'