34 replies to this topic

[dattoman]

I believe all LH are black
And mid way thru LX they went to body colour

One of the gurus' like Howard , Red or Dr Terry will know the exact dates

[Redslur]

Correct, all LH's had black engine bays and to the best of my knowledge, and from what I have seen, 1st and 2nd month LX's also had black engine bays (very early). I think from March onwards they were colour coded..

Hope this helps.

[Redslur]

bye the way, Casino blue picture;

[Litre8]

L8 is Feb 1976 build and it had the satin black engine bay.

[2600s]

BullitljV8 and i just painted both the engine and engine bay in my l32 LH SL. We used the black paint called GMH black in the bay area. Purchased it through Sprints here in Adelaide and comes in 1Lt tins.

It turned out a treat and ill post some pics soon

[Redslur]

MRNOS

I can't be 100% sure on the change over but my 11/76 has a colour coded engine bay and my 2/76 has a black engine bay. The early ones carried over from the LH and included LH things such as the arched type fan gaurd instead of the flat step up style, different console inserts, gearshift ball etc. I have paid particular attention to this point at car shows and have only ever seen very early 76 models with a black engine bay. By this I mean 1/2 month 76. Every other car that I have seen from 3rd month on was colour coded. This doesn't mean that yours didn't have the black engine bay. As you can appreciate engine bays get painted from time to time..It is not vey common to see a black engine bay in an LX.

It would be good to know for sure, I am going on my observations. Someone may be able to give a definitive answer.

Cheers

[Toranavista]

My old June 76 Papaya SS 5.0 had the black engine bay. I have seen late 76 8 Cylinder models at a time when the 6 cylinder models had painted bays. I think there was a phase in period. Perhaps starting around the production of the Sunbird? Build dates and compliance dates are also two different things. As previously suggested look for tell tale signs or post some pics of the engine bay.

[RIM-010]

NEVER base a colour choice from a pic on a computer...

RIM

[Redslur]

My74LH

I didn't think you wouldn't agree, no worries. The colour is Casino blue, the picture doesn't do it justice. The only other colour in the LH range anything like it is Azure blue which is lighter and brighter. I have attached a link to a picture of a HQ factory coded Casino blue.

The colour is very like the one in the picture. I'm with Rim, the magazine picture on computer doesn't give you a real good idea. A Holden paint chart is your best bet. I have a copy of one from of e-bay and it looks to be the correct one. Another good indication is the blue used on the Mandarin G-paks which is also Casino blue..

As far as the engine bay colour goes, it maybe a mid year thing, just never seen it in the flesh myself. I don't doubt those who have had them with black engine bays 6/7 month. Very similar to the under bonnet colours, they were a bit of a lottery..
Cheers

Edited by Redslur, 24 February 2007 - 01:58 PM.

[Toranavista]

1904 is Casino Blue 19X is Black Long Grain Vinyl with Cloth insert. Insert could be 1 of 3 types i have seen used with Black. There is know way of knowing from the tag which insert was used.

[Toranavista]

1904 is the interior shade code for Casino Blue. It is included in the trim line because it depicts the colour seen on the painted surfaces on some models. For example an S model LH or LX had the paint on the tops of the interior doors exposed.
568-17297 is the Dulon shade code used by GMH for the exterior.

Edited by Toranavista, 25 February 2007 - 08:16 AM.

[arrimar]

your V is for vinyl,so strictly speaking those arent for you as they have cloth inserts.

[Redslur]

Lx304hatch

You have an early Mandarin LX 5000 with slate grey (which is more black to look at) seats with grey golf ball inserts. Both mine are 18X cloth inserts. Going by what has been said, you would have had a black engine bay. I don't think it really matters too much. Can you tell what the original colour was?

Cheers
Redslur