Calypso red paint code ?

[Esprit10]

Gents- I am having my car painted back to the original color....calypso red. Can anyone help provide the correct paint code. I've seen A23 on other threads...just need to confirm.

Thanks in advance.

[tweetdriver63]

Don't know really, but if you have an O'Reilly Autoparts store, they can get it for you, along with mixing the paint. At least my store here can, and they mixed up a bottle of touch-up paint for me that's spot-on.

Also, take a look in the WikiLEC. There's a paint colour codes link that has everything you should need.

[lotusflasherman]

Depends on when car was built as recorded on the VIN - they changed from ICI to DuPont at the factory in June 91 and also added more colours to the range.

Up to June '91 Calypso Red was A23 ICI P420GJ23 / Lotus A089B6150V, after that B03 DuPont ABK9197 / Lotus A100B6239V

The first SE I had was Calypso Red (& pink) and registered Aug 91 but was made in the ICI period as it had VIN ending 7875. Calypso Red changed to DuPont at VIN 8083.

Hope that helps.

Phil

[rip]

DuPont Calypso red does not noticeably fade like its ICI counterpart.

[Esprit10]

Thank you for the information. Much appreciated.

[lotusflasherman]

DuPont Calypso red does not noticeably fade like its ICI counterpart.

Don't know about DuPont but I certainly agree ICI fades.

My ICI Calypso Red Elan parked alongside my ICI Signal Red Eclat seemed identical colour and Eclat had spent a lot of time in the south of France without fading.
Went down in the Elan for 5 weeks of 30°C, or more, so always parked under a carport to keep seats from burning me (leather is such a bad idea) but had rear sticking out in sun.
When I came home and parked alongside Eclat I was surprised to see I had a very pink rear end - should have used Factor 30 sunblock on the Elan too.
It had been OK in UK for 5 years but didn't like French combination of UV & IR for 5 weeks.

If I was doing a complete respray I'd use DuPont because it's the latest, sure to be more readily available and rip says it's better...

Phil

[dapinky]

If I was doing a complete respray I'd use DuPont because it's the latest, sure to be more readily available and rip says it's better...

Phil

Modern paint uses totally different pigments, so unless you managed to find 25 year old stock, it shouldn't fade anyway.

ICI paint of the day was known to have the 'fade factor' after a few years - try finding a solid red Vauxhall, BMW or anything else from the '90s where the maker used ICI