Hi Guys, Always been around but rarely post much but have an interesting issue with a body tag on my latest Buick purchase. The new Buick is a 1962 Electra 225 convertible. I will enclose a pic of the car and the body tag for your pleasure. Any info would be greatly appreciated. The style numbers are easy. The body was built in Wilmington Delaware. The trim is 840 gold leather. The accessories are N7-Air conditioning and U6-Power vent windows. Here is where I get confused. I don't know what 296 stands for and I have never seen a body tag with the color spelled out completely. There is no Granada Green on the Buick color chart but there is a Granada Green listed for a 1962 Cadillac. Has anyone seen this before? Also the last six of the vin is 010151. Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated!! John
It may not have been a standard '62 Buick color John, but an extra cost, custom GM paint choice ? o No:
John, Very cool special paint order. I have seen the color choice spelled out on the Fisher Body tag before on a `66 Buick but built in a different plant as compared to yours. It makes sense that Granada Green is a Cadillac color as I have also come across a handful of Buick special order color cars which were upgraded to Cadillac colors. If you consider a Buick was a "value added" equivalent to Cadillac it makes sense buyers might upgrade to a Cadillac color. Chances are this Cadillac color may have had a heavier metallic in it compared to the comparable Buick green like the "Firemist" colors a few years later. A few months ago the Buick Bugle featured a special order `65 Riviera which was originally finished in Samoan Brown which was also a Cadillac color. I have also noticed very often the special order exterior colors from another division clash with the Buick interior materials. I think each division spent much effort coordinating their color and interior material offerings. Do you find that is the case with your Electra? Again, very cool and unusual example, good luck, Tom Mooney PS My guess as to the meaning of the 296 is it is either a paint code number or the SCO (special car order) number
Thanks for the responses! I have to say the car is a pretty striking combinations of colors. The convertible top is also a gold or sandlewood color which I cannot find as an option for any brand other than Cadillac. I have the original boot which is the same color. The original person that ordered the car must have paid a hefty price for the special colors.
Nice find. My old 69 GS 400 was painted a Riviera blue and had the numbers on the tag from the factory.