For our next thought-provoking exercise in list-making, we invite you to name cars with two-tone or tri-tone (or more?) paint jobs. This inquiry is limited to factory paint on production cars; please, no custom jobs.
This is fairly common feature, especially back in the 1950s. The Packard Caribbean (above) started out as a two-tone, but famously cranked the concept up to eleven with various combinations of not two but three, um… tastefully contrasting colors.
Our second example is more infamous than famous: the horrifically styled ’77 Charger Daytona, shown here with its more subdued, less eyeball-searing Chrysler sibling.
Please read through the comments before you post, and add one that has not been mentioned. There have been many, many models to feature more than one paint color, so you should have no problem coming up with your own contribution to our list.
I will leave it up to our comment crew to determine exactly where the defining line should be drawn between a true multi-tone paint job and simply a racing stripe or contrasting fender flares. EDIT: The Commentariat has spoken — Vinyl tops/convertible tops don’t count!
DIFFICULTY: Ridiculously Easy
By Peter Tanshanomi
Tanshanomi is Japanese [単車のみ] for "motorcycle(s) only." Though primarily tasked with creating two-wheel oriented content for Hooniverse, Pete is a lover of all sorts of motorized vehicles.
Kamil Kaluski
1955 Studebaker President Speedster – tri-tone.
And if you think the Charger two-tone was bad, Plymouth Volare coupes could be had in orange/black.
<img src="http://www.chooseyouritem.com/classics/photos/104000/104190.1955.Studebaker.President.jpg">
You're here, so, yeah, probably.
<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/829/3621/2071810001_large.jpg" width="574" height="431" />
1979 Hurst/Olds
Oh, good one! Man, we could probably do a whole post just on black-and-gold paint schemes. I'll have to file that one away…
79 also delivered gold over white,
83 – black over silver
84 – silver over black
2CV Charleston. Probably one of the most recent factory two tone paint jobs:
<img src="http://www.leblogauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/Pascal_MICHEL/route_d__or_2007/citroen_2cv_charleston_470.jpg">
Yes, this particular one has a custom trailer, but the car itself is factory painted. Image from ” target=”_blank”>http://www.leblogauto.com/2007/02/au-coeur-de-la-route-dor-2007-2.html
1946 Packard
<img src="http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Packard/46_Packard_Clipper_Fstbk_DV_05_HH_v02.jpg" width=500>
Of course I'll have to post this….
<img src="http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/105/1181/25260590001_medium.jpg">
Edsel Pacer, Citation, Ranger ,Corsair, Villager, Bermuda and Roundup
<img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i65/lilwillie_wi/Car%20stuff/drivesidedone.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
The Ford F-series had a very long run, into the mid-'90's. Here's a '78 example in a lovely brown/pale yellow.
<img src="http://i49.tinypic.com/2j5lv0i.jpg" width="500">
The mid '90's 1-ton Rams had an interesting two-tone — just the upper cab and the hood. And check out that red interior!
<img src="http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1994/Dodge/7782/1994.dodge.rampickup3500.3106-E.jpg" width="500">
1980 Zephyr Z7 Gold and Creme
<img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/nitroracer/Previous%20Vehicles/zephyr0002.jpg" width="600">
1971 Malibu Creme and Green
<img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/nitroracer/Previous%20Vehicles/Chevelle032Medium.jpg" width="600">
Brings up an interesting point…should vinyl tops count?
I guess I can't see why not, but that really opens up the field.
If vinyl tops count, then you bring up seemingly half the cars built in the US between 1965 and 1980.
I'm undecided on the vinyl tops. On the one hand, they do provide a contrasting color; on the other hand, they're meant to emulate convertibles, which usually have a contrasting top color, but are more or less monotone when the top's in the proper place i.e. down/off.
Trabant P50
<img src="http://www.veteranautocsodak.hu/kepek/trabantp501.jpg" width=500>
Just wanted to post this one too…..
<img src="http://classiccars.com/uploads/classifieds/1111471.jpg" width="500">
A new one:
<img src="http://www.thetorquereport.com/maybach08-thumb.jpg"/>
A Daimler Majestic:
<img src="http://www.motorbase.com/uploads/2005/12/15/fs_386gxd.jpg"/>
Nice but too cheap:
<img src="http://www.exoticcars.ws/cars/bugatti-veyron.jpg">
Image from ” target=”_blank”>http://www.exoticcars.ws/bugatti-veyron/
A fairly recent one the Trailblazer, but only with the LTZ package:
<img src="http://images.dealerrevs.com/pictures/428162.jpg">
Reminds me strangely of this…
<img src="http://blog.nwautos.com//071009_tony_autobio_604x372.jpg">
1978 Corvette Indy Pace Car:
<img src="http://www.gailgreen.com/1978_pace_car.jpg">
YES. I have always loved this car. And I can not explain it. I might have to blame the Corvette book that my folks got for me at our town's Waldenbooks going-out-of-business sale when I was about 5.
I don't think this qualifies as a truly two-tone car…it's a white car with bruises. Or am I wrong?
<img src="http://cars.88000.org/wallpapers/15/Audi_R8_2007,_Supercar.jpg" width="520">
1956-62 Corvettes with the contrasting side cove:
<img src="http://www.webpulp.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/corp_06110_01_z_1957_corvette_side.jpg" width=600>
Thats one of my favourite cars of all time, I prefer the later 58-62 but still, such class
Pretty such any American truck or full size SUV from the 1960s-1980s
For example the K-5 Blazer:
<img src="http://www.4x4offroads.com/image-files/1985-chevrolet-k5-blazer-lastscan8.jpg">
I'd love to own one just like that!
We used to have an '84 C20 Suburban that was tan with red down the middle of the sides. Definitely an "of its era" combo.
That sounds better than my Dad's '74 C10 truck. It was orange with woodgrain on the sides. The woodgrain was where the blue is on the K-5 above.
1955 dodge TRI-tone:
<img src="http://www.chryslerclub.org/memberphotofiles/Liljekvist2.jpg">
1979 Mustang Indy Pace Car, seems a bunch of pace cars were at least two tone:
<img src="http://www.stangbangers.com/79_MustangPaceCar_Pic.jpg">
MG Magnette Duotone
<img src=http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1953-1958-mg-magnette-1.jpg">
<img src="http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgccz/owners/26607a.jpg">
Should wood-grain count as two tone? Or would that be a separate Encyclopedia Hoonatica entry entirely?
I thought of that too, but think that since it's a "sticker" it doesn't really classify as a 2-tone 'paint' job.
Unless you're talking about back when it was REAL wood… paint / varnish… close enough for me!
Let's save that as a separate category. It could be fun all on its own.
Should Eagle Talons count? The roof and pillars were black regardless of body color.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/97-98_Eagle_Talon.jpg" width="600">
I thought about a new Mini or Flex but went with Pee-wee's 1959 Edsel Corsair got to plug those classic road movies with classic cars in them.
<img src="http://imcdb.org/images/095/788.jpg">
http://www.classiccar.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/20…
crap…
<img src="http://www.classiccar.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Toyota-MR2-buyers-fq-670×446.jpg" width="500">
Some of the early C4 Vettes were available with a 2 tone paint scheme this one has light bronze over dark bronze:
<img src="http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1980/1984/84bronze1.jpg">
Seems most of the Ferrari 365 GT4 BBs had a black bottom half:
<img src="http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4666/4824/24164911884_large.jpg"width=600>
Oh, just like the Rover 200 🙂
<img src="http://ploader.net/files/753f0345000f7780b63233a177c60c85.jpg">
Uh, Gulf Oil livery Ford GT.
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4851448368_614a6a9699.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Ford GT" />
If there's any question about factory-ness on that, then this one should be more acceptable.
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4851227730_b2aec72e96.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="2006 Ford GT" />
A 1925 Diana Light Straight Eight.
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/4836084610_8b8e89ef06.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="1925 Diana &quot;Light Straight Eight&quot; Delux 4-Door Sedan" />
Or is that a three-tone?
"Damn. I'm broke. My feet hurt. And that bitch is slippin…" – Ice Cube – Down For Whatever
2-tone Ford Explorer.
Boom.
Cube puts the pedal to the floorin his 2-tone ford explorer.
The ultimate in multi-toning paint has to be the 1930 Ruxton front-wheel-drive car. Five or six tones and it's a factory finish, not a custom. It was also available in shades of brown or blue.
<img src="http://nethercuttcollection.org/Images/DynamicLoad/AmeliaRuxton_l.jpg" width=500>
VW Golf Mk3 Harlequin Edition: 4 Tones
Chevrolet Veraneio
<img src="http://www.maxicar.com.br/old/eventosefatos/sjriopardo_jul09c/slides/ChevyVeraneio.jpg">
Of course, these:
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4847177014_daf58f6ed5.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante" />
Simca Chambord
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AfrPNXC4Dc8/S24a-_pjf9I/AAAAAAAABlw/HJ5Z0SXG2Vs/s1600/simcaV8-1961.jpg">
Chevrolet Opala SS
<img src="http://www.carroantigo.com/imagens/eventos/DIA_DO_OPALA/DIA_OPALA%20011.JPG">
Ford Corcel GT
<img src="http://spb.fotolog.com.br/photo/59/40/64/oldsmobile72/1262130987210_f.jpg">
This was a UK special edition celebrating the Lemans success of the 787B:
<img "src =http://ploader.net/files/318603290539ad269438c6fb4adadefb.jpg">
And of course there was the Mini Cooper:
<img "src =http://ploader.net/files/9ba0fdc1ec823e65aa2eed9cbceeca39.jpg" width="400px">
Plus the new 'Mini' Cooper, but I don't much care for that.
OOps, try that again…
This was a UK special edition celebrating the Lemans success of the 787B:
<img src ="http://ploader.net/files/318603290539ad269438c6fb4adadefb.jpg">
And of course there was the Mini Cooper:
<img src ="http://ploader.net/files/9ba0fdc1ec823e65aa2eed9cbceeca39.jpg" width="400px">
Plus the new 'Mini' Cooper, but I don't much care for that.
OOps, try that again.
This was a UK special edition celebrating the Lemans success of the 787B:
<img src="http://ploader.net/files/318603290539ad269438c6fb4adadefb.jpg">
And of course there was the Mini Cooper:
<img src="http://ploader.net/files/9ba0fdc1ec823e65aa2eed9cbceeca39.jpg" width="400px">
Plus the new 'Mini' Cooper, but I don't much care for that.
Golf Harlequin
<img src="http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/03/VW_Harlequin_Golf.jpg">
<img src="http://www.rossvw.com/harlequin/picturepage/jimellis1.jpg">
Over here in euroland, our Harlequin was a Polo:
<img src="http://ploader.net/files/c3fdef6dfce0988b196941ccf72e08c8.jpg">
Only in the last couple of years have I learned that the Harlequin was a factory job. Before that I thought it was a junkyard special.
The Opel/Vauxhall Corsa Color Race, 3-türig
and my 2nd car an Kadett B
<img src="http://www.maxi-tuning.ru/post/14740/Opel_Corsa_Color_Race_6_s.jpg">
[youtube pb5NF2QVob0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb5NF2QVob0 youtube]
1 – '58-'60 Thunderbirds could be had (and most were) with contrasting roof color.
2 – First generation Chrysler minivans
3 – Current Subaru Outback Sport has a pretty awful two tone.
Not alot comes to mind…except the best paint job EVER!
<img src="http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/porsche_911_carrera_rs_1973.jpg">
1969 Chevelle Malibu all had the 2 tone paint
<img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/photothing2006/Chevelle/P1010568.jpg?t=1281150214" style="width: 600px; height: 450px; border: 0" alt="imgTag" />
Don't forget the SVX!
<img src="http://www.robertlevinson.com/images/svx_1.jpg" width="640" height="460" />
The early NSX, too…
<img src="http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1994/Acura/18211/1994.acura.nsx.29-E.jpg" width="500"/>
and the citroen DS
How could the Hachi-Roku be overlooked on 86 day?
<img src="http://www.hachiroku.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/initial_d_ae86.jpg">
Or the real version
<img src="http://www.banpei.net/files/perfect-toyota-sprinter-trueno-ae86_akashi-bridge.jpg">
S13 <img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/cheyennetufts/DSCF0010.jpg" width="500">
That S13 has got some 180SX on it.
Humber Hawk and Super Snipe
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Humber_Hawk_Series_II_side.jpg/800px-Humber_Hawk_Series_II_side.jpg" width=600>
Mercedes W124 got a two tone job when it was first facelifted. <img src="http://thumbnails14.imagebam.com/9201/caf4f392009667.jpg" alt="imagebam.com">
<img src="http://thumbnails8.imagebam.com/9202/caf4f392010817.jpg" alt="imagebam.com">
The first two generations of Supra, Previas, Chevy G-vans, Bronco IIs, Fox Mustangs, most Rolls-Royce, GM C/K MkIII, GMT400 and 800 Silverado/Sierras, first generation Explorers, Mercury Villagers.
(smacks forehead) How could I forget this one?
<img src="http://image.automotive.com/f/features/10812003+pheader/epcp_0808_01_z+1966_lotus_cortina+front_view.jpg">
MkI Lotus Cortina!!
The 1984 300zx Anniversary Edition. I always wanted one of these:
<img src="http://duncanmotorseugene.com/84300zxae39.jpg">