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History Color Code for 35 Duesenberg Anyone?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Boryca, Mar 16, 2018.

  1. Boryca
    Joined: Jul 18, 2011
    Posts: 709

    Boryca
    Member
    from Detroit

    Hey all, I'm working on pinning down a color code for the truck I'm slapping together, and hit on Clark Gable's custom '35 Duesenberg. I really like the color, but can't find the paint code anywhere... Anyone have any leads/tips/thoughts on what it might cross to?

    Thanks,
    Mike
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    stanlow69 and Stogy like this.
  2. J. A. Miller
    Joined: Dec 30, 2010
    Posts: 2,057

    J. A. Miller
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Central NY

    Coach built body = custom paint. Good luck
     
  3. Boryca
    Joined: Jul 18, 2011
    Posts: 709

    Boryca
    Member
    from Detroit

    Yeah, tell me about it... :(
     
  4. That car is breath-taking. Good luck with the color.
     

  5. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    ...Reworked by Bohman & Schwartz in Pasadena, CA and repainted in luminous cream.
    In 1942, Lombard was killed in a plane crash near Las Vegas. Gable, devastated, instructed an agent to sell the Duesenberg. Gable died in 1960.
    It is undeniably rare; fewer than a dozen JNs were built – only four of which were convertibles.
    The Duesenberg became a vagabond, crisscrossing the country, changing hands about a dozen times. It was repainted at least four different colors. Its engine was replaced in the 1950s.
    But the current owner, Mr. Gooding said, acquired it in 2006 and ordered a restoration to the Gable era.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/automobiles/collectibles/gable-lombard-and-a-35-duesenberg.html
    https://jerrygarrett.wordpress.com/...bles-notorious-1935-duesenberg-directors-cut/
     
  6. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,244

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I've seen the car a couple times in person. PPG has a color in their custom stuff called "Vanilla Shake". Take a look at that, I think you'd like it and get what you want. There's no "paint code" per se on these things. Without having a period color book or some early number charts it's all "by eye" and experience. I've been around these big cars for over 40 years. Not a single one had a paint code on it, though there may be a 1 in 100,000 chance at legit paper work to see. FWIW, Cadillacs can be traced back to how they were ordered/sold back into the 20s, Lincoln Continentals can be researched through "The Henry Ford" museum in Dearborn. There's a list of Duesenbergs including a generic description of color, as in "black" or "cream", but no codes. Good luck...
     
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  7. 1time
    Joined: Dec 5, 2009
    Posts: 96

    1time
    Member
    from minnesota

    I agree with theHIGHLANDER when I saw that picture I thought of the vanilla shake color, I used it on the roof of this 65 a couple years ago, PPG # 90990
     

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  8. Boryca
    Joined: Jul 18, 2011
    Posts: 709

    Boryca
    Member
    from Detroit

    Thanks Highlander, that helps quite a bit. I know it's tough trying to match, I just need something better than "yeah, it's kinda cream colored..." when I walk into the paint store. :)
     
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  9. $um Fun
    Joined: Dec 13, 2008
    Posts: 660

    $um Fun
    Member
    from Nor Cal

    Contact Randy Ema, he knows all things Duesenberg. Chances are he may have been consulted in the restoration of the car.
     
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  10. J. A. Miller
    Joined: Dec 30, 2010
    Posts: 2,057

    J. A. Miller
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Central NY

    Whatever the color is, it should have a name like "Lombard's silk panties".
     
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  11. Check out Packard Cream or Packard Ivory from '37-'38. I sometimes see the cream called Cigarette Cream.
     
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  12. Boryca
    Joined: Jul 18, 2011
    Posts: 709

    Boryca
    Member
    from Detroit

    Hmm... yeah, that is pretty close. Thanks!
     
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  13. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,404

    alchemy
    Member

  14. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,244

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Cigarette Cream looks really yellow compared to that Duesy. Just sayin...
     
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  15. Boryca
    Joined: Jul 18, 2011
    Posts: 709

    Boryca
    Member
    from Detroit

    That's my impression too. After looking into this a bit I've realized there's a huge variance in "cream" colors.
     
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  16. If you ever determine a close approximation of the color, I at least have a suggestion for a name...........................French Vanilla Ice Cream.:D
     
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  17. Babar40
    Joined: Dec 4, 2009
    Posts: 314

    Babar40
    Member
    from Florida

    Take it to Home Depot, they can match it for you. But seriously, that is on beautiful color. Good luck.
     
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  18. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,132

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    I first saw this color in the early 90's I think, man I was IN LOVE with it, really makes for a great two-tone complement color.
     
  19. Frankie47
    Joined: Dec 20, 2008
    Posts: 1,877

    Frankie47
    Member
    from omaha ne.

    How about Plymouth's Charlotte Ivory?
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [Or Chrysler's cool vanilla 2007 300]
    not going to post that picture...lol.
     
  20. Boryca
    Joined: Jul 18, 2011
    Posts: 709

    Boryca
    Member
    from Detroit

    Glad to see I'm not alone in liking this color! Though I have a feeling that if I was, I'd still use it :)

    @Frankie47, I think that's a bit yellower than what I'm shooting for, but thanks for the pics! I like seeing how different creams are used with other colors, bodies, etc.
     
  21. Frankie47
    Joined: Dec 20, 2008
    Posts: 1,877

    Frankie47
    Member
    from omaha ne.

    Here is the cool vanilla from a 2007 chrysler 300.
     

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  22. 30dodge
    Joined: Jan 3, 2007
    Posts: 498

    30dodge
    Member
    from Pahrump nv

    Packard Ivory was one of the popular and standard colors back in the day. It was also a pinstripe color used by many of the auto manufacturers in the 20s & 30s. It is not as yellow as Cigarette Cream.
     
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  23. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,244

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Go figure, I actually have a PPG Vibrance color deck. For you and anyone else wanting to see "Vanilla Shake":
    006.jpg
    That's in as good a daylight pic as I can get. The following 2 are in "shop light" conditions, but I also took it on white paper and yellow to be able to cipher the shade or tone. Also with it is a color called "Custard" which is pretty brown when held in contrast. Hope this helps, enjoy...
    009.jpg
    010.jpg

    Of interest to some, look at what background or contrast does to the same color in the same conditions. All are the same within minutes of each other. Eyes are amazing, yes?
     
  24. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,348

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    Watching with great interest. Here`s a pic from a calendar I have. Scan0635.jpg
     
  25. Boryca
    Joined: Jul 18, 2011
    Posts: 709

    Boryca
    Member
    from Detroit

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