Vellum Venom Vignette: Is two-tone paint coming back?

MSN ^ | Friday | Sajeev Mehta

[Responsibility2nd]

Fred writes:

This is the second time I’ve written you; the first was when you were at that other place. Anyway, I’ve noticed another automotive styling feature worth discussing, and perhaps you have some thoughts: I’ve been seeing cars with factory two-tone paint jobs, often a black roof over a white body. Will this become a trend?

Might it become more than black and white? Are we in for a return to ’50s paint schemes?

Sajeev answers:

Aside from the usual, bespoke creations for the top-tier demographic, we are absolutely not returning to 1950s levels of multiple-toned paint schemes. Cars are too damn expensive to make these days, and adding features is a balancing act: An automaker must consider sales volume and profitability. The market is too price-sensitive and competitive to alter that balance, and two-tone paint is the equivalent of dropping a lead weight on a balance beam scale . . . well, on a scale perfectly balanced with the features mandated by the government and the features demanded by consumers.

[Responsibility2nd]

I hate, hate, hate the boring colors cars come in today.

50 Shades of Gray is a book for sexually frustrated middle aged women. It should not be the standard for car paint jobs today. Then there's the dazzling choices for interiors: Black or Gray.

I disagree with Mehta. Many manufacturers offer upgraded paint choices on many models. For an additional upcharge, of course.

But perhaps the real reason there are no real choices in the color of your car today is that modern cars are ugly enough with their high beltines, slopey roof lines and A, B and C pillars that look ridiculous.

Flashy two tone paint would only call attention to what is really an ugly car.

[V_TWIN]

Non metallic solid colors.....nope 👎

[FreeReign]

But perhaps the real reason there are no real choices in the color of your car today is that modern cars are ugly enough with their high beltines, slopey roof lines and A, B and C pillars that look ridiculous. Flashy two tone paint would only call attention to what is really an ugly car.

I agree. There's a reason Teslas only come in about 5 colors.

[Responsibility2nd]

The BMW i3 is a perfect example of an ugly car made even uglier by adding two tone paint.

[RoosterRedux]

A neighborhood family had one of these when I was a kid. My heart skipped a beat everytime I saw it (it belong to the beautiful wife of a local businessman)...

[wally_bert]

That is art.

[spankalib]

There's actually a trend toward matte colors on cars.

Unusual-looking, but I think they're pretty cool!

[RoosterRedux]

I certainly agree. You should have seen the gal who drove it. Silky black hair, creamy pinkish-white complexion, pink sweater.

That "thump, thump, thump" you hear is my preteen heart.

[Responsibility2nd]

Ahh, when it comes to cars of the 50's... Two tone is not enough. Tri tone is where it's at.

 

[Tom Tetroxide]

Bring back the front bench seat!

[wally_bert]

I’ve gone with powder coating body parts for both of the project Jeeps.

For me, the only way to go.

I’m trying to find someone to paint and give the shell off my K5 blazer a refresher.

It’s weathered a bit and faded but intact. I’ll have to get the LMC glass kit.

I’ve tried a few body shops but so far no dice.

[RoosterRedux]

Wow. Beautiful!!!

[wjcsux]

The 1957 Buick had about 1000 lbs of chrome that was a nice accent to the paint.

[TexasGator]

[ThanhPhero]

Hereabouts two tone black with white roof is much more sensible than the reverse. That white roof makes things a bit easier on the A/C. In the north a black roof makes more sense. It is easier to find your car after a snowstorm.

[Responsibility2nd]

I actually have a tri tone El Camino. Brown, White. And Rust.

[llevrok]

Bring back the front bench seat!

Yep. Hard to do a S.O.S. with bucket seats.

SOS? = Scoot Over Sweetie! (a quick, fast, hard right turn when your girl won't sit in the middle of the bench seat)

[RoosterRedux]

That’s another beautiful vehicle. Not your daily driver I take it?

[al_c]

If those things didn’t have a BMW badge on them, they never would have sold. Hideous looking vehicle.

[Responsibility2nd]

One of my favorite cars is the Buick Limited. With hashmarks...