Should I repaint to the factory color?

[1970Monte]

So my 1970 with the 300hp 350/console/buckets/AC/73,xxx miles was originally paint code 45 (Green Mist), dark green vinyl interior, green vinyl top. Currently all white and it's in the shop and is going down to metal for a repaint and 

The metallic Green Mist is going to cost an additional $3500 over the non-metallic white.

Thoughts? I like the Green Mist, how common is it? Am I doing significant things to the value by going back to factory? Thanks!

[Dtret]

It all depends on what you have planned for the car. If you’re restoring then green, if you’re not then go with your choice. The cost difference is probably due to having to jamb the car. 

[420ponies]

I can't say much about Green, but it does look nice on a 1st Gen Monte Carlo! Like Dennis said , if it's going to be your restored, original Green Mist '70 ,then have at it. The dark green interior, w/bucket seats will certainly complement it. Will it have the vinyl top back on it? If you're going to change colors, then will the interior turn to black?  that is where the question is. Interior color changes are $$. There are a few members on here that have that paint choice on their cars, and even though I like Blue, they sure do look good all dressed in Green!

[DragCat]

The stock/original group will prob say go back to factory. I say do what you want and what you like. The bottom line is it worth the extra money for you 

Obviously I'm partial to Green 🤣

[Canuck]

I personally like the green mist with dark green top combo. I assume it is still green interior. If that’s the case, the mist green is very complementary with that interior and a good choice in my opinion.

[1970mcss]

I agree with the others. I'm a factory guy, my 70 came black with a jade (dark green) interior. It was born that way and it's going to stay that way. But it's your car so you have to do what makes you happy. White with a green interior is a good-looking color combo. I know this doesn't really help LOL

[Rob Peters]

If you want it to be all original and matching the trim tag then by all means go with the green mist.  If you want an original 70 color go that route.  

Originality is only more valuable to someone seeking a completely original "matching" car.  I am one of those people.  

Bottom line is that  it is your car and you should equip it and make it your own.  If you are doing it with selling or flipping it for a profit that is hard to do because you will never get out of it what you put into it.

rob

[Dtret]

The 72 I picked up in Texas ( what a shame topic) is white , green bucket interior and green vinyl top( mostly gone) and I think it’s a good looking combo. 

[Scott S.]

Montelishi's VIN says that she started out with mist green paint, jade interior, and a black vinyl roof. 

But when I got her, she'd been redone in dark green and the vinyl was gone.

To be honest with you Tom, it was the dark green that sold me on her. 

But then again, she's far from original.  

[1970Monte]

11 hours ago, Dtret said:

It all depends on what you have planned for the car. If you’re restoring then green, if you’re not then go with your choice. The cost difference is probably due to having to jamb the car. 

My guy tells me that it's the extra prep work and steps that make it cost more; they are going to jamb the car either way.

[1970Monte]

8 hours ago, Rob Peters said:

If you want it to be all original and matching the trim tag then by all means go with the green mist.  If you want an original 70 color go that route.  

Originality is only more valuable to someone seeking a completely original "matching" car.  I am one of those people.  

Bottom line is that  it is your car and you should equip it and make it your own.  If you are doing it with selling or flipping it for a profit that is hard to do because you will never get out of it what you put into it.

rob

Definitely not flipping. I like the idea of the green, especially if it's uncommon and I feel white is a super common repaint among this era of car.

I might actually be buried in this car 🙂

 

[1970Monte]

6 hours ago, Scott S. said:

Montelishi's VIN says that she started out with mist green paint, jade interior, and a black vinyl roof. 

But when I got her, she'd been redone in dark green and the vinyl was gone.

To be honest with you Tom, it was the dark green that sold me on her. 

But then again, she's far from original.  

I do like the way the dark green looks...but if I'm not going to do white it's going to be paint code 45 for sure.

[keith72monte]

I have forest green but looks lighter then a dark forest green. I call it money green. I can pull a dollar out and put it against my car and it matches. I have 6 Montes. 2 greens 1  phantom blue, 1 called regent red or burgundy . 1 creme color and my favorite one is Black. Black looks the best. I park my black car next to 100k cars at shows and it looks great. People are drawn to glossy mirror black. I would do green with black top or white since that is what i have lol. Best would be to get rid of the top and keep all one color. do what you want and don't let the money keep you from doing anything. you can't take it with you. This is one girl that won't leave you after you put a ton of time and money into her lol

[714024SPEED]

If you really want the green go with it if it's in your budget. I know several people who have settled on a color because of price but a year later regreted it because it was not what they really wanted. Paint color is something you have to live with for the long haul and not easy to change .

[keith72monte]

Go Green. White is ok with no top or black top. Green is a deep color. i think a 70 chevelle in white with black strips and black top is the sharpest looking white car. Montes need color to show off the body lines sharper. Plus you have a green interior. Plus that's the original color. $3500 is alot,I get that part, but long term it isn't much. I,ve spent that much in my dash board. Driving down the open road and seeingthe big green interstate signs reflect off your  green hood is a amazing feeling. I bought my black Monte for 200 bucks. Headed for the scrap yard 25 years ago. People had no respect for Montes then. I wanted a budget car. Snowballed into 20k plus needs another couple thousand for AC and misc. Just blew up the budget motor last spring. Another 8k for a crate motor. So Yeah , don't let 3500 stop you. lol If you plan on keeping it, then go all out, Or buy one already mostly done correctly. tons of nice looking Montes on facebook going to reasonable prices. That last line if for the guy thinking of restoring one from ground up lol. I'm older now, so less time and  alittle more money then before, budget minded. Still a broke [censored] compared to most lol

[Scott S.]

17 hours ago, 1970Monte said:

My guy tells me that it's the extra prep work and steps that make it cost more; they are going to jamb the car either way.

Don't scrimp..... But DO get your monies worth.

 I made the mistake of letting a buddy redo Montelishi, kept telling me he'd do it for a good price.

Not happy with the results, and don't hear from him anymore. 

Sad part is that it wasn't about the money..... Or time.

I was willing to pay for the work. Kept telling him that I thought his prices were to low. But I honestly think the job was beyond his abilities. 

[Scott S.]

17 hours ago, 1970Monte said:

Definitely not flipping. I like the idea of the green, especially if it's uncommon and I feel white is a super common repaint among this era of car.

I might actually be buried in this car 🙂

 

How does the wife fell about that idea ??? 

She might be waiting to get behind the wheel herself and just bury you in an old sack.  

[Scott S.]

Just now, Scott S. said:

How does the wife fell about that idea ??? 

She might be waiting to get behind the wheel herself and just bury you in an old sack.  

Feel.

[Wd71MC]

That is probably one of the things that caught my eye was the paint color on the Monte it is the Cottonwood green and when we went and looked at the Monte it also had the green interior. So I was pretty much already sold lol. But it’s what ever you prefer.

[McCall72]

For some folks, 100% originality is their thing. Im that way with my 85 SS. When it came to my 72 I built it the way I wanted it because at the end of the day I don't care one bit what it's worth - I'll be dead when it gets sold eventually anyway! 

Build it to what ever is pleasing to your eye. Its your car and your money.

[Jared Richey]

On 8/27/2025 at 8:20 AM, 1970Monte said:

So my 1970 with the 300hp 350/console/buckets/AC/73,xxx miles was originally paint code 45 (Green Mist), dark green vinyl interior, green vinyl top. Currently all white and it's in the shop and is going down to metal for a repaint and 

The metallic Green Mist is going to cost an additional $3500 over the non-metallic white.

Thoughts? I like the Green Mist, how common is it? Am I doing significant things to the value by going back to factory? Thanks!

Unless they are not doing door jambs going back same color. Price Should NOT be much different. Color change doesn't matter when jambs are getting painted anyway. 

Now for resale value the light green is not a very popular color but if you plan on keeping it won't matter. Im doing one that color now. I had Tammy at Revolt jazz up the color with added pearl. He is going with a black top and keeping the dark Green Interior 

[GRAY 70 Monte Carlo]

I do agree painting jams isn’t that big of a deal but when you talk about painting cowl panels and fire walls that can really add if done correctly removing a/c components,brake booster ,wiring harnesses and engine adds a lot of work.i would be asking more questions why the major price difference and take that into consideration 

[Jared Richey]

On 8/29/2025 at 11:33 PM, GRAY 70 Monte Carlo said:

I do agree painting jams isn’t that big of a deal but when you talk about painting cowl panels and fire walls that can really add if done correctly removing a/c components,brake booster ,wiring harnesses and engine adds a lot of work.i would be asking more questions why the major price difference and take that into consideration 

Underhood is satin Black not body color but yes if they do repaint all that even back black that would definitely add substantial $.

I always paint the top of cowl, front grille support bars, radiator cover just as my normal paint job process to freshen everything up. Even if they dont want a full engine detail. Just doing that little bit helps a ton. 

[keith72monte]

Here is a picture of my green car. Forest green but not as dark as some i've seen. Different years different shades

[keith72monte]

I would say Black is number 1. Red is secound best. Blue is 3rd. Green is 4 th.  Mohave gold is a real nice color, then cortez silver is sharp with a black top.