Blue and red are fairly common preferences, accounting for 10% and 8% of the market individually, while colors such as orange, yellow, and purple each make up less than 1% of the market.
It’s puzzling to see that consumers repeatedly opt for mundane colors when purchasing new vehicles.
It’s particularly weird given how many really desirable, colorful classics are out there, many of which can consider their two-tone paint job a key part of their appeal. These 10 examples show just how vast a range of cars can look amazing with two-tone paint, from multi-million dollar ’30s racers to ’80s Japanese economy cars.
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Chevrolet C1 Corvette
The original Corvette models didn’t have a lot of power, but they were definitely eye-catching. The Corvette debuted as a concept car in 1953, and then entered production a few months later. It took until 1955 for the Corvette to get a V8 engine, which finally made it match its impressive appearance. Over the next several years, the car was gradually refined until the second generation of Corvette was released in 1963.
In addition to being one of the most attractive American cars from its time, the first Corvette introduced several design elements that are still featured in modern Corvettes. One notable design feature is the quad tail lights, which were first introduced for the 1961 model year. That same year, Chevy discontinued its two-tone paint options. Although two-tone paint was available on some later Corvettes, such as the C3 and C4, this option is not available on the C8.
Bentley S1
A Rolls-Royce Phantom S1 from 2023 can be purchased for less than $20,000. The Rolls-Royce S1 was the slightly more readily available and affordable cousin of the top-of-the-line Rolls-Royce model from that era. Keep in mind that “available” and “affordable” are relative terms when it comes to a vehicle as luxurious as this one. Regardless, this car was still a highly exclusive and pricey option that could be had with either a standard factory body or a custom-built coach-built body.
We continue to preserve that tradition to this day.
Studebaker Golden Hawk
A classic and pioneering luxury car, the Studebaker Golden Hawk was built from 1956 to 1958. It represented the highest level in the manufacturer’s lineup, but its production was cut short due to Studebaker’s financial struggles. Over three model years, a total of around 9,000 units were produced, and a considerable number of these had a two-tone paint job. One way to determine which factory a Golden Hawk was built at is to look at its paintwork. If it was built at the Indiana factory, the area behind the engine will have the same color as the lower part of the car’s body. If it was built in California, the area behind the engine will match the upper part of the fenders.
In 2014, there was an auction for this car. It had a supercharged 289ci V8 engine and was painted in a two-tone Midnight Black color. The original condition of the car was still intact, having gone through a restoration just before it was put up for sale. With just 59,000 miles on it, this classic car had relatively low mileage compared to the number of remaining examples still in existence, making an already popular model an even more attractive option for potential buyers.
Austin-Healey 3000
Beginning as the Austin-Healey 100, the last major Healey model evolved into the 3000 with the introduction of a 3.0L engine. One of the most well-known British sports cars of its time, it was created by combining Austin’s components with Healey’s expertise and design flair. Over 42,000 models of the 3000 were built, mostly of which were exported to America, where the car’s powerful engine and good looks earned it a lot of attention.
A main feature of the car’s design was the two-tone paint option, though it’s unclear how many cars had this option selected. Production of the 3000 started in 1959 — although its predecessor, the 100, had been sold since 1952 — and would continue until 1968. It stopped being made mainly because of corporate restructuring, though changing US emissions and safety regulations were also contributing factors.
Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster
The car was sold at an auction in 2020 for a remarkable $7.1 million. This vehicle was initially purchased by a member of the Rothschild family, who allegedly used it to drive around Cambridge, where he was a college student.
Over the course of the following decades, the car changed hands a number of times, yet each owner managed to preserve its originality for the most part. After a restoration, it was showcased at various events and rallies before ultimately being put up for auction. Most other remaining examples of this extremely rare roadster are reportedly kept in long-term collections, making it challenging for most classic car enthusiasts to even spot one, let alone own one, whether it’s the version with the two-tone paint on display here or a solid-colored one.
Chevrolet Bel Air ’57
In its time, examples of this model remain very popular in classic car enthusiast communities even today. It was the last generation of the Tri-Five series, and was an updated and enhanced version of its predecessor that year. Those changes were substantial, featuring new styling and the introduction of the Turboglide automatic transmission for the ’57 model year.
This two-tone paint job was available on the Tri-Five models for all three years. Even though the car’s design changed each year, the paint job looked different too. Whether it’s the most attractive look is up to personal opinion, but all three models from this period are still considered among the best-looking two-tone cars ever made. Here, we’re highlighting the ’57 model, with its updated design and subtle two-tone paint giving it a classic look that still impresses people to this day, nearly seven decades after it was first introduced.
Lotus Elan Sprint
A traditional, lightweight sports car, the Elan Sprint was the final evolution of the model. It had a more powerful engine than its predecessors, and was produced between 1971 and 1973. Interestingly, buyers had a choice to either purchase the car fully assembled or in kit form, the latter being a way for UK buyers to avoid the financial burden of high car taxes.
In 2019, it came in a stylish yellow and white two-tone paint that was a popular factory choice. Other two-tone options, including red and white and brown and white, were also available. Even though the Elan Sprint’s production ended in 1973, the Elan remained available for sale until 1975. However, some of the later models didn’t have the two-tone paint that was distinctive to the Sprint.
Rolls-Royce Model 40/50hp Dual Cowl Sports Phaeton
it was in an auction in 2006 and was sold for $238,000. The car has a chassis code 25 EX, built in 1930, and spent three years traveling around Europe and the U.S., participating in a 15,000 mile endurance test.
The Phantom II was being continually modified over that period to help Rolls-Royce stay competitive against both its European and American competitors. The car shown in the picture played a significant role in putting those modifications to the test before they were put into production, although it was eventually returned to its original production form and sold to a private owner. Throughout its long history, it remained painted in an understated two-tone silver and gray finish.
Buick Special ’57
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Complementing the car’s sporty style and its two-tone paint were a variety of roof and interior colors to choose from, with 47 different options reportedly available. As a result, this was a car that could be personalized more extensively than most vehicles at the time and even more than many current models in the Buick lineup.
The Envista is only offered in a few colors, which is a far cry from the personalization possibilities of the ’57 Special. It’s also uncertain how many Envista buyers would choose a two-tone color scheme if it were available. Perhaps people who bought Buicks in the ’50s were more likely to want unique designs than today’s Buick customers.
The article holds opinions that the Toyota Corolla AE86 Sprinter Trueno is a high-performance sports car variant. Many online discussions have brought up influential drivers who owned this model, including Keiichi Tsuchiya, who is also the car’s unofficial ambassador.
The well-known Japanese anime and manga series that showcases a young delivery person transforming a ordinary Corolla into a world-class drifting vehicle.
Toyota has continued to honor its legacy by introducing a two-tone GT86 concept in 2016 as a nod to its ’80s classic counterpart. The iconic status of the original from the ’80s has led to a shortage of pristine, unmodified AE86 two-tones, with prices for these examples skyrocketing to unreasonable levels for an economy car from that era. In fact, one nearly flawless example was sold for approximately $64,000 in the UK in 2021.
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