there is a reliable reference, the BMC factory paint code BU2. in my 100-6
parts manual, the nomenclature for BU2 is Healey Blue, however, you'll probably
get as many variations depending upon mixers trying to follow the formula. the
colour is also dependent upon the painter and how the metallic stands up. for
example, there are 3 different Healeys on the cover of the anderson/moment
restoration manual, all Healey Blue, and all a different shade of blue. bear
in mind, the early metallics of the 50's bear no resemblance whatsoever to the
quality of metallic paint today. anyone painting metallics today uses a clear
coat which protects the metallic and allows you to polish the clear without
moving around the metallic. metallics before clear coats were the pits.
davidwjones wrote:
>
> -Actually, I had a couple of off-list responses from early BN1 owners who
>claim
> that the non-metal flake blue was the original color of their cars, and that
> their "build records" called it "Healey Blue".
> Leo Gleason, who lives in this area and won best in show at a Conclave about
>12?
> years ago, with his "Healey Blue" over white BJ7?.........He told me that
>since
> there was no real reliable reference for Healey Blue, he had admittedly made
>his
> a couple of shades more gray than is usual, "because he liked it". And his car
> walked away with 98+ points..... It WAS a handsome color. -He sold that car
> about 5-6 years ago, ..I don't know who owns it now..
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