Art & Inspiration 1956 Cadillac Color (pic heavy)

Can you guys give some input on color choices you like for a 1956 cadillac coupe deville? The problem with me is, I just about like them all. They all fulfill a mood. My preferences change all the time it seems, so it'd be nice to have a color that you can sort've dress up and dress down so to speak. What I'm focusing on is 4 colors roughly. Dark Blue, Black, Red and Yellow. From there the question is all solid one color, or 2 tone with the roof being a different color. Metallics are also considered. Not all pictures contain a 56 caddy if its a nice color I like.

Here are some examples of the shades I like...

For Yellow:








Reds:



Blue - hardest one for me to find the right shade....



Black:



Keep in mind......the "***iness" changes just on lighting and backgrounds, etc. So I try to keep an image in my head of what the reality of the color would be on the streets, in every day situations.

I have a long time before paint will be laid on the car, but I'm trying to hone the direction I'm taking it, get the image in my head, and keep aiming that direction. She's not going to be a purist restoration, nor a full on custom. I guess we could say a very mild custom.....a tasteful color, maybe lowered some and a rumbley exhaust. Something cool to cruise in.

My current impressions......I like black I think its sharp, cl***y yet cool. Father in law says its too much black on such a big car and looks like I'm going to a funeral haha. He likes the yellow because its accurate for the car and time (not that black isnt). If I do yellow it'd likely have a black top. But the yellow is so gentle in a way it almost washes the car out. Red's are a mood thing. I know it'd be heart attack "wow" factor to round the corner in the hot fire engine red with big white walls.....toned down with the darker, deeper metallic red is a little more cl***y but custom as well. The blue is actually what I lean most towards currently, but itd be a dark, deep metallic blue - like on the 53 convertible inside photo I listed. Almost black but enough metallic to highlight curves in the light. Cl***y and custom at the same time.

I welcome all input and thanks!

 

I'm a fan of dark colors on a big car like the Caddy, think they look better than the tan, cream and yellows.

 

I agree.....but I change my mind all the time! I saw a 53 coupe on youtube that looks PERFECT and its that yellow. I think the 53 lends itself to that color because its got a bit more curves. 56 needs something else. So far Im most seriously considering dark blue metallic and a dark red metallic or lighter non metallic

 

caddy arlington green.
showy in day light, cl***y at night.

 

I appreciate it but green just isnt much for me, atleast on this particular car anyway

 

no problem, "it ain't easy being green"
the nice thing about black is, despite it being, by definition, the "absence of color", it is a mirror to the colors around it.
a 58 i painted.

 

Agreed. I like green but its gotta be the right shade, right car etc. like a 68 fastback mustang dark highland green and anthracite wheels.....not a hamb car but just saying

 

I like the pics of red, looks awesome with the white top

 

Red is almost cliche'. Yellow is somewhat accurate for the era but lends a Florida/California vibe, and almost must have a white top. Blue? I dunno, maybe a powder blue n white for that FL vibe again. Black and a Cadillac, especially a 2dr HT, win/win every time. White roof would look conservative and keep it cooler in hot weather, coupled with a white/black interior, a home run. You asked for opinions...

 

How about black with white roof?

 

I looked at every photo, and I can be of no use whatsoever; I like them all as well. I remember as a teenager back in the day looking at a light yellow '56 Coupe Deville in a grocery store parking lot. It had a white top. An elderly lady with bright red dyed hair came out with her groceries and said, "It's not for sale, son. I bought it new, I'm 84 years old, and I'm not going to buy another one."

 

LOL

 

For whatever reason Im not too big on the 2 tone, especially white roof. I tend to like it more with red or yellow body and black or dark roof.

I really wish I could figure out what color blue is on that indoor shot of the 53 eldorado convertible. I doubt its factory bc I believe its metallic

 

It's always fun to throw a wrench in the works...here's my '55 Cadillac...
R-

 

The convertible in the photos is Chantilly maroon, but the pictures don't do the color justice.
Two tone blue or green with the top the darker color is a good choice.

 

I originally feared metallics might be too modern and out there on a 56 but I sure am warming up to them

 

Found this website thanks for naming that color
http://1956eldorado.blogspot.com/p/chantilly-maroon.html

 

Go Pink



This is Dusty Rose though in the early cars I like Tahitian better.

 

caddy used metallic paint from the factory.

 

Man thats a beauty! I couldnt bring myself to go pink but it looks great on that with the silver roof.....is that a 58?

 

Its my 57 Couple De Ville. That is a factory color for the 57.

Honestly Tahitian pearl looks better on the the per x frame cars IMO. Especially with the white roof or even better white lace on a custom.

Mine is painted to resemble the stainless steel roof that they offered on the Biarritz model that year. Eventually once I figure out how to get it about 2 inches lower I am going to lace paint the roof in white pearl to make it look a little more custom.

This is the Tahitian pearl or coral pink on one of your era. The pinks were never made in serious numbers and ones like mine with some original paint are really hard to come by.

 

You can't go wrong. The mid-'50s Cadillacs were beautiful in any color. Personally I think medium and dark shades look best on those lines but even that pale yellow you showed looks awesome. Metallic paint is 100% era correct, and in fact that's what GM used to show off their cars.

The '50s Motorama show cars were stunning examples of design and color, and the GM Technical Center was opened in 1956. There are stunning color photographs of cars from the era in color combinations that professional car designers came up with. Maybe look to those for inspiration.

 

Love the pale yellow one!

 

Wow!! Another wicked snap-shot of that super-cool ride!!

 

Just paint it the original color, someone at one time figure it was the right color, for that car.

 

Thanx MotoV8n, appreciate the comment.

Here's another shot of it, this time taken in front of the Ft. Knox (Kentucky) gold depository this past September, I call this one "The Standard of the World in front of the Gold Standard of the World.

And Fenderl325, just to keep this in relation to your color conundrum, and even tho you didn't ask, I can tell you the color(s) on my Cadillac are a combination of custom mixed Lavender metallic w/silver Pearl (body) and 1955 Ford Regency Purple on the top...Yes, it's two-toned....!!!

R-

 

Coupe d'elegance, now that's just stunning.

 

Pretty funny I still cant decide.....luckily I have all the time in the world. I still have a full restoration on my hands.

If anything Ive realized I cant rule out any color, even on modern cars from any brand. A metallic would highlight the curves in different lights.

Best thing I can think of to do is pick one color and make it a background picture on my phone/computer and "live with it" for a week or so.

I also realized I have to look at 56 caddy's to get the color idea......53 eldorado convertibles look great in hot red IMO, and 53 coupes in the pale yellow look excellent...... but its a whole different car the second I see it on a 56....

 

I must admit......currently my fav is this combo:


Oddly enough what helped me "see it" was this brochure picture - the yellow in the back showed me the car at night in my minds eye - maybe p***ing in someones headlights, and the other picture, a summer evening cruise.




Check back with me in a day when I change my mind! Hah

 

Why yes, since posting this thread I've changed my mind towards every color listed and back again haha.....

I know its kinda cliche but, damn I cant say this looks bad.....matte black.....really looks good here. I like the contrast of the chrome and the matte paint