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So,  I have to make a decision on paint colors for my Cavalier 72.

I have read a lot of mixed information about them comming orginally all white and just 2/3 of the cabinet being red?  Of course I have seen them mostly all red?

Does anybody have any historical information reguarding the color scheme?  I dont know if it matters all that much.  Mine is a large embossed door...

I'm leaning towards the white.

Thanks

What color is it now?

Primer Grey. :laugh:

It was orginally red, that painted brown.  When I pulled the breaker strips I had red up to the top door hinge and than white top.  I suppose that was the original color?

I guess I was more interested what other would prefer as far as paint or if there was any reason why they cam solid white.

 For Example:  The white was earlier model colors, or red was later or just to different colors options at the same time having no significance ... 

Go with what you like

      While Walters book says 98% came with white front doors, I find that hard to believe as the 2 tone is seen far more often. I believe the earlier models may have been white and then Coke realized higher brand recognition and sales increases in their other red and white machines.
      Most restorers go with the red and white because of greater public acceptance.
     

I agree with Kilroy, go with what YOU like.  As for me, I just like the all two tone machine over the two tone body with solid white door.  Have you removed the inner door liner yet? You should see the original color of the door.  

I did it was 2 tone.

Good info Glen thanks!

  I think of myself as a purist, but I really don't care for the a solid color Cav.
now making the door one color, and the body a second looks trick.

The original scheme was an all white door red sides.  I like the original scheme

but I painted mine 10 years ago with a red front.  I wish I stayed original

Red and white.. If you decide to sell later it's the prefered option.

I like it red and white...just like bcharlton's...beautiful!

White door makes it just look like a fridge to me.

This is my original 72, all white.. gonna leave it as is.. a pretty nice survivor...
If you have a few machines it breaks up the red...But the two tone machines are nice.

Agree, the white just makes it look so plain to me ... :wow:

If it was originally red and white I'd go with that.

      I believe Erics machine is an excellent example for this topic. It is a very nice original and if I remember correctly it had actually sat in an antique store for quite a while before he purchased it at a heavily reduced price. People have a hard time accepting the fact that Coke at one time was marketing their product in a white color.    
     Had this same machine had been in an original red and white paint scheme,
it would have sold much sooner, and for 2 to 3 times the price that was paid.

      

Ha.. I don't know Glen.. you should have seen this hole in the wall... I almost didn't stop...
But so glad I did... I called a couple buddies and used some American Picker lines on the
owner... then loaded it up... But I agree if all red or if a 81D probably wouldn't have been there.

Just my opinion but here it goes.

If you are restoring a machine, its not original anymore. If the Red and White looks better at that point to you, and you may have to look at ROI some day, you will get a better return if you do not do the standard full white door. It will also be easier to sell with the iconic coke look to the average guy if you get into a bind and have to let it go. There are so many out there with the 81D paint job, if you like it, do it.

From a financial standpoint, why are you not dumping all of that money into a Vendo 83 if you are keeping it? Cause we all know at the end of the day there is an investment factor to this even if doing it for yourself because we are all crazy enough to think that we are making the right decisions and these are more like a Porsche than a Pinto.  If you want to invest in a full white door Cav 72, go save the prettiest original you can find.

Just my opinion, and like they say, opinions are like.....

Paint it the way you want, at the end of the day you are the one who gets to enjoy it every day.