Re: Matador Maroon Color

Posted by BH On 2014/3/12 9:05:38

Several years ago, I began compiling my own cross-reference of factory paint colors, based on parts book info and supplier charts. If a chart wasn't available here, I checked other known sites for paint. I have not (yet) tried to index color availability by model and only got through DuPont charts (and only back to 35) when I had to put that work on the back burner due to higher priorities.

Matador Maroon Metallic (Code U) is shown for 50-51-52-53-54. The DuPont DUCO code (1355-M) for that color is same for each year.

Due to the limits of scanning (especially with metallic in the mix) it's doubtful that you'd ever get a good representation of the actual shade - even if you had a color-corrected display. For example, every available scan of Mojave Tan Metallic (Code R) for 1956 (though not shown on a DuPont chart) looks like mud, when the true color actually lies somewhere between that of gold and that of a new penny.

Best bet is to use the online charts as a guide, then go shopping for an actual supplier chart for the desired year; they're not expensive. Some charts have much larger chips than others, but colors can vary a bit between suppliers - kinda like dye lots in yarn/fabric.