Color is a powerful albeit random property. Most of us have a favorite color, hell it’s a go-to question for the unimaginative when trying to make small talk on a first date! The thing of it is, not only is color a very personal taste, it’s also dependent on its host.
Car color choices are sweated over by corporate designers, and are usually about five years behind those of the fashion industry, from whence they originate . Picking the right hue is a dicey affair, as everyone knows that some cars look better in some colors, and not in others. Black and White – the total presence of all other colors and their total exclusion – are standards that seemingly defy this notion, and are almost always on the palette. There is one color however that correspondingly almost always seems to get excluded.
Orange, the color, not the delicious and nutritious fruit, seems to be a color that doesn’t particularly work well on many a car. Oh sure, it looks just fine on the General Lee, but how about a GT-R? Today, I want your opinion on what cars actually do look awesome in orange. You can’t rhyme it, but you can define it. Let’s see what cars look acceptabe in orange.
Image: HealthyFoodHouse
Hooniverse Asks: What Car Looks Awesome in Orange?
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119 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What Car Looks Awesome in Orange?”
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5 yo me screams at the top of his little lungs.
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Mustangs always look great in orange.
http://cdn.barrett-jackson.com/staging/carlist/items/Fullsize/Cars/132700/132700_Front_3-4_Web.jpg
http://www.themustangnews.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/1979cobra.jpg
http://www.muscularmustangs.com/gallery/albums/uploads026/normal_2012_mustang_boss_302_68.jpg -
Do you want your bug orange and black or orange and black?
I couldn’t think of another colour for it. -
This one:
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I absolutely love that car.
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I’m sensing a theme here…
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I’m confused. Do you mean orange, or orange?
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There are cars that don’t look gorgeous in orange?
Here’s my first a car, a period-correct orange 1977 Volvo 242 beater:
http://s26.postimg.org/dxtwddvu1/bild070.jpg
http://s26.postimg.org/i9ii2e2qx/bild075.jpg
http://s26.postimg.org/fqwt1ph0p/bild64.jpg-
There are, indeed.
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Now that’s a well-made argument. You win.
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Moondisks, orange and a decent amount of chrome…so much right, yet the scale tips the other way.
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I would argue that it’s not the orange that’s the problem here, it’s the horrendous wheels & tacked on vents.
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mmmm safety orange… My choice protoC30 the SCC (safety car concept):
http://www.majalisna.com/gallery/927/927_2_1103432433.jpg
http://aroundvolvocars.es/uploads/2011/07/volvo-scc01_22.jpg
http://cosmatt.free.fr/mecamatt/images/volscc_k.jpg
http://cosmatt.free.fr/mecamatt/images/volscc_m.jpg-
I really wish those see-through A-pillars had become a thing. These days they create such enormous blind-spots!
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That’s a beater? It looks mint to me!
Continuing the Volvo theme, here’s an orange C70
http://www.classycars.org/Volvo/volvo.C70.001.jpg-
Gold is advanced orange. The beater above was not in a particularly good shape. After removing all the significant rust spots and painting them with rust converter, the car looked like a ladybug…
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Is that actually gold? I have never seen that colour IRL
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It’s Saffron 435 metallic/pearl and I have failed to find a photo of S70, V70, and C70 all in that hue next to one another but NOT head-on 🙁 It’s a very pretty Volvo color,
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/images/dto_garage/users/24726/2164.jpg -
It is a gorgeous colour! I just tried to find a photo I took in Berlin in december, until I remembered I missed my mobile phone just after Christmas…picked it up, but the SD card had found a way out, without me noticing. Anyway, this was the halo car for youthful me:
http://www.swedespeed.com/gallery/albums//FWD%20and%20AWD/C70/Coupe/Exterior/064.jpg
I remember I had a speech in art class (mandatory in German school) about the industrial weirdness by Volvo colour choices. My female teacher, not interested in cars, was really excited when I finished: Golden Volvos with brown interiors and the C70 was even available with plaid inserts, if I remember correctly. That was very weird indeed. Shortly thereafter, Audi started selling their A3 in a very similar golden colour. -
The young me first saw the C70 in The Saint
http://imcdb.org/i002749.jpg
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Ad beater comment…I have now been looking for old photos (you don’t have to beat me into doing that, at least), and it served as a nice reminder that a car I remember so dearly was so…tired. What a fantastic time, more than ten years ago now. A flush:
http://s26.postimg.org/ct4flqyqx/dscf0005.jpg
http://s26.postimg.org/qo2q47t61/DSCF0462.jpg
http://s26.postimg.org/h4t1ar5nt/DSCF0463.jpg
http://s26.postimg.org/onc6jdx0p/DSCF0122.jpg
http://s26.postimg.org/pbl12bvqh/DSCF0126.jpg
http://s26.postimg.org/rjz7jo2uh/bild48.jpg
http://s26.postimg.org/upjt9vlgp/bild87.jpg
The freedom I experienced with this first car was endless. It would take so much luggage and stuff (once carried five people and all their ski and luggage for a long weekend – nothing on the roof). Took abuse without comment.-
Thanks for sharing a great story about the car. When it comes to first cars, doesn’t matter what the car is and what shape it was in, the memories you make in it will always be the greatest thing about it.
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Cars with an outgoing personality can pull off orange. That’s the theme.
This thing:
Bricklin SV-1 came in Safety Orange.
http://www.diseno-art.com/images_2/Bricklin_SV-1_orange.jpg
I mean, at least it doesn’t look worse in orange.
Anyone hungry?
ALL OF THEM! I love orange – it stands out and screams “hey, look at meeeeeeeee”
Maybe because my first truck was Hugger Orange.
http://www.2040-cars.com/_content/cars/images/3/888003/002.jpg
(pic is similar, but is not my truck)
But what do I know – I detest silver/gray/charcoal/sand/mica and every other marketing name for gray, silver and tan.
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I bought a hot wheels of this car solely because they nailed the Jager Orange.
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https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U6u_theONbY/VJt9g30SfWI/AAAAAAAARJs/f7p6Nrj7KAY/w526-h701-no/20141224_215906.jpg
Actually it was the 934, not the 935.
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Utility cars in general do well in orange…
http://modelljernbane.internettside.com/images/vegvesenet_mesta_veiarbeid_kommunale_kjoretoy_brakke_skilt_02.jpg
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and for play as well
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/444949.jpg-
Is that yours? Perfect vehicle to park in a beach sunset.
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No, but a now almost two decades ago GF’s mom had one. It was rad indeed.
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Orange orange-car is orange.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5132/5397737496_a389705639_b.jpg
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The one true answer. “What car looks awesome AS orange”
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Doorhinge?
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Yes.
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one of the greatest cars I’ve ever driven…
http://jamesb.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/miniCooper.jpg
If I bought a classic Mini, it would be orange.
What I posted yesterday! https://hooniverse.com/2015/04/14/last-call-corvettallac-edition/
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTMzWDgwMA==/z/HlwAAOSwPgxVLYgv/$_27.JPG
Especially with an orange interior:
http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/04/15059637-700-0.jpg
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Gold? Copper? Brown, perhaps?
Focus ST, in ‘Tangerine Scream’
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I gave it a thought but the only TS was an ST3 and too much $$$.
’06 only Brazen Orange GTO.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2770993986_50e780eca9.jpg
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My first thought. Pleased to see that you’re already on it.
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Oh man if these had only come out when the C70 did, that is so lust worthy, I need to sell a kid.
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On Holdens, that colour was called ‘Tiger’.
Can’t get pic to load…
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/topfueljohn/DSC03905.jpg
As a charter member of the Ornch Car Cult, my answer is ALL THE CARS.
Hell, even a Pontiac Aztek is somewhat less offensive in orange.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Pontiac-Aztek.jpg
Off the cuff answer … All of them. Everything looks good orange. My disclaimer – I even painted my house orange, to the disdain of a handful of neighbors.
More measured answer … later El Caminos.
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Haha, that’s fantastic! I tried to convince my wife to paint our house in this orange last week:
http://s8.postimg.org/jhz4p5m3p/Vegvesen_Oransje.png
Instead, I ended up buying 30 litres of a mildish yellow last thursday. Now it’s time for us to start scraping off the old paint…-
Hehe… Next step from yellow would be a kind of red that turned out “surprisingly transparent”…
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It’s not a look that everyone likes, especially in a neighborhood full of Suburban Putty colored homes. There are no codes in our little town but we were threatened with a lawsuit by one angry neighbor.
No matter, my wife and I think it is cheerful and welcoming.-
It’s crazy to think that someone could get that upset that they’d potentially file suit… over someone with a little creativity when it comes to their exterior house paint.
People suck. -
That’s quite a combination you have there. Gen 1 CLS + gen 4 Legacy wagon? Yes please…
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So that’s two of six? Or was it eight cars now?
Anyway, fantastic colour! I’m really enthusiastic about it. Whoever doesn’t get it, and even gets angry about it…hard to understand, particularly with so much vegetation covering the house. -
Alas, the AMG isn’t mine. My buddy was visiting when the Google Earth car passed by.
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Though I do agree that your house looks very snappy, not quite all looks better in orange sadly.
http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/5000000/Christina-Aguilera-pop-5048900-394-620.jpg -
Slightly different take on the question: what car’s interior looks best in orange?
Well….
http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/wagons/112_0308_2004_volvo_v70_r/8562829%2Bw799%2Bh499%2Bcr1%2Bar0/112_0308_roadtests_z%2B2004_volvo_v70_r_wagon%2Binterior.jpg
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The S60R’s interior is really just stunning…almost incredible that they dared to do that! Grey plastic dash is a slight letdown though…Here’s what was called “brown” in the 164:
http://s26.postimg.org/fhz8bs489/volvo_164_brown_0_1.jpg-
To quote RCR: “because Volvo!”
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http://www.tomhartleyjnr.com/photos/1/112/002/1120026/1120026-006_1024x768.jpg
This 1975 Lamborghini Countach with the brown suede over orange. So 1975.-
I’d take an entire living room like this, please.
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Wow, I just realized I need a suede dash.
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Volcano Orange on the McLaren P1 looks pretty awesome.
http://i1.wp.com/hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN8017.jpg?resize=720%2C428
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A McLaren looks awesome.
…What a surprise.
Saab 96 V4.
Found this on my hard drive…
Saab 96 V4
Laverda SFC ( for Tuesday )
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Another Tuesday answer.
http://www.canned-ham.com/wp-content/gallery/qualifier-2/qualifier-2_page_002.jpg
Nissan’s Volcanic Orange is a great color. I love it on the Sentra SE-R.
http://images.nysportscars.com/pictures/72091545.jpg
My other 1967 Jeepster Commando, naturally !
Here is a fine orange 1977 Wagoneer over at Hemmings Daily
I’ve always thought orange suited the 2002 pretty well.
http://i43.tinypic.com/smpqfk.jpg
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This is what I came to post!
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Orange you glad I did?
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Sentimental Favorite:
http://www.vintagemx.net/wp-content/uploads/1974-bultaco-360-pursang-mk7-a.jpg
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…and, hopefully, someday soon:
http://www.tanshanomi.com/project-x/IMG_1853-bodywork-mockup-web.png
I’m surprised no one nominated the Alfa Romeo Montreal, a car that IMHO looks great in any color (proof below)
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4141/4898759996_e329ba064c_b.jpg
http://auto-word.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Alfa-Romeo-Montrea-green.jpg
http://img7.autonavigator.ru/carsfoto/1600/5835/71593/Alfa%20Romeo_Montreal.jpg
http://images3.alphacoders.com/250/250525.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/1974_Alfa_Romeo_Montreal_-_yellow_-_fvr.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6e/cb/8f/6ecb8fd2b0656943aed578fddf386791.jpg
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Alfa%20Romeo/72-Montreal_Blue_DV-07_AR_01.jpg
http://www.themotoringjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/montreal.jpg
http://www.trentsideclassics.co.uk/media/images/large/Alfa_Montreal_Article_-%2819%29.jpg
https://drive-my.com/images/montreal/Alfa-Romeo-Montreal-test-drive-2014-16.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlQlPCYCIAAOnze.jpg
http://oi43.tinypic.com/w9zjp0.jpg
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Overachiever.
Orange is a great hue for the first-gen Celica, be it a Liftback…
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk231/sandycheeks69/130_0710_05_z_1977_toyota_celicalef.jpg
…or a notchback.
http://www.jdmeuro.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/SSR_Dori_Dori_Mesh_Toyota_Celica_03.jpg
Volvo S60R. Both inside and out.
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Could you imagine this with that interior? That would be something!
http://www.mmsean.com/volvo/photos/color/laser_blue.jpg-
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The perfect combo for an Illinois fan.
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Wait. Not an original colour, or is it? Seems so sharp.
Is there some reason I SHOULD have a problem with an orange GT-R? Because I don’t, AT ALL.
http://jstyle2.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/harr-gtr-01.jpg
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…is that SUEDE?
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http://www.gaddidekho.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/BMW-M3-GTS-Orange.jpg
There’s a reason the presentation/press car color of the M3 GTS was orange.
So much orange, so much win.
When i bought my Mazda3 off the lot (last 5 speed hatch of the prior year), all I asked was that it not be silver. Of course, it was silver. Had I been able to choose, I’d have gotten this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Mazda3_4.jpg
mine, 1970 lotus Europa, roadster
Well Porsche of course.
I’m not sure about Rover P6s in orange. They were available in S2 form in Paprika, (burnt orange), one here fitted with ‘Dunlop Denovo” runflat tyres on their special wheels. A very rare option. One car that is raced in NZ has also been resprayed a less subtle hue
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb183/morrisday1969/CARS%20CARS%20CARS/P61.jpg
http://www.ruediger-wicke.de/paprika.jpg
http://www.leadfootfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_3090_grande.jpg?1000
The new Subaru XV Crosstrek:
http://i.wheelsage.org/pictures/subaru/xv/autowp.ru_subaru_xv_au-spec_26.jpg
I always thought that orange suited these:
http://xr8ute.com/images_cars/gt_history/xy_07.jpg
Ford Focus ST, Fiat Barchetta, McLaren F1, Plymouth Cuda
The Citroën 2CV… with orange seats too!
I’m a little late to the party, but I prefer this much more than its popular twin brother Kermit.
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