DerWhite's 356 Porsche Color Charts!
Scroll down for scans of 356-C Porsche Interior Carpet Samples!
The purpose of this website is to set down in one place as much information as can be found concerning paint colors for 356 Porsches for the years 1950-1965. Paint matching today is one of the most vexing problems associated with restoring a 356 Porsche. Below you will find images of the factory color charts, a listing of paint colors with color numbers and door plate numbers, and much more. The following 356 Porsche factory color charts in order of presentation are for the: 356-A, 356-B T-5, 356-B T-6, and 356-C. unfortunately, color charts do not reproduce very well in a scanner, so........don't depend on these images for accurate colors. Another factor, these color charts are as much as 43 years old! There is some useful information on these color charts, including 356 Porsche color numbers, and information about paint and interior combinations.
Contents: |
1. Actual Factory color charts for 356-A, 356-B T-5, 356-B T-6, & 356-C. |
2. "Special" Paint Colors. |
3. Listing of factory colors including paint numbers and door plate numbers from 1950-1965. |
4. Exterior Paint Colors/Interior Color Combinations. |
5. Some "Paint Popularity" statistics: what paint colors were utilized the most? |
6. A discussion of "Paint Formulas" in today's restoration scene. |
7. 356C "Carpet Samples". |
8. And............"Eyes on a Cab". |
Porsche Factory Color Charts!
356 Pre-A Colors & Accessory Combinations- 1954:
(Source: Porsche Factory Color Chart 1954, Model 356 - actual color samples not available with this chart.)
1954 356 Pre-A Convertibles.
Color |
# |
Leather |
Tonneau |
Cover |
Black |
5401 A | Red 378 |
Red Art. |
Beige |
Black |
5401 B | Green 2155 |
Green Art. |
Beige |
Black |
5401 C | Beige 2164 |
Beige Art. |
Beige |
Turkish Red |
5402 |
Beige Rose 2180 |
Beige Art. |
Beige Rose |
Graphite |
5403 |
Beige 2164 |
Beige Art |
Beige |
Jade Green |
5405 |
Beige 2164 |
Geige Art |
Gray-Green |
Pearl Gray |
5407 |
Blue 2152 |
Gray Art |
Gray-Blue |
Azure Blue |
5408 |
Gray 2161 |
Gray Art. |
Gray |
Terra Cotta |
5409 |
Yellow |
Yellow Art. |
Beige |
1954 356 Pre-A Coupes.
Color |
# |
Furnishings |
Black |
5401 A 5401 B |
Cord w/Beige leatherette |
Turkish Red |
5402 A 5402 B |
Cord w/Beige leatherette |
Graphic Metallic |
5403 A 5403 B |
Cord w/Beige leatherette |
Ivory |
5404 A 5404 B |
Cord w/Green or Red leatherette |
Jade Green Metalic |
5405 A 5405 B |
Cord w/Yellow leatherette |
Silver Metalic |
5406 A 5406 B |
Cord w/Red leatherette |
Pearl Gray |
5407 A 5407 B |
Cord w/Blue leatherette |
Azure Blue |
5408 A 5408 B |
Cord w/Gray leatherette |
Adria Metalic |
5410 A 5410 B |
Cord w/gray leatherette |
356-A Color Charts:
1956:
Below is a factory color chart dated 1956 for the 356-A. It is a simple one-sided card with the colors shown in the shape of the car. No other information is available on this card. The colors available are:
Paint # |
#5601 |
#5602 |
#5603 |
#5604 |
#5605 |
#5606 |
#5607 |
Paint |
Black | Polyantha Red |
Graphite Metalic |
Sahara Beige |
Lago Green Metalic |
Silver Metalic |
Aquamarin Blue Metalic |
The first two numbers of the four number color code are the model year the color was available.
1957:
A listing of paint colors by Porsche in early 1957 listed the above seven standard colors, and four new colors referred to as SONDERFARBEN, "Special-Paints". The above 1956 paint numbers were re-numbered 5701, 5702, 5703, etc. The following special paints were available for all models at a slightly higher price.
#5710 Stone Grey #5711 Orange #5712 Auratium Green #5713 Glacier White
A later 1957 factory color chart, shown below, had a few changes compared to the 1956 color chart. Polyantha Red #5602 became Ruby red #5702, Graphite Metalic #5603 became Meissen Blue #5703, Sahara Beige #5604 became Ivory #5704, Lago Green Metalic #5605 became Fjord Green #5705, and Aquamarin Blue Metalic #5607 became Acquamarin Blue #5707. It's uncertain whether the later Acquamarin Blue was metalic or not.
A side note to the color listing mentioned above, it indicates that the convertible tops for cars painted Black and Auratium Green were beige. All the rest of the colors came with black convertible tops!
1958:
Below are color lists for Model Year 1958 from two separate sources. The first is from Hoffman-Porsche Car Corportion, the U.S. Distributor for Porsche Cars, dated September 1, 1957. The second is from Auto Europe, Inc. of Beverly Hills, California, New York, Chicago and Paris, and was apparently an importer and dealer of 356 Porsches. In their price and color lists for 1958, they described the "standard color combinations" for the various 356 models for 1958.
|
Hoffman-Porsche Car Corportion, U.S. Distributor for Porsche Cars, September 1, 1957. |
|
Auto Europe, Inc., New York, Chicago & Paris, European Distributor, January 21, 1958. |
356-B T-5 Color Chart:
1960 and the new 356-B brought several new paint colors, including signal red #6011, Aetna Blue #6003, Slate Gray #6001, Heron Gray #6007, Condor Yellow #6010, and Royal Blue #6012.
See exterior paint, interior color combinations below!
356-B T-5 Exterior Paint Color - Interior Color Combinations for Coupe, Cabriolet & Roadster.
6001 |
6002 |
6003 |
6004 |
6005 |
6006 |
6007 |
6010 |
6011 |
6012 |
6013 |
Red |
Light Brown |
Red |
Red |
Light Brown |
Red |
Red |
Black |
Black |
Black |
Red |
Light Grey |
Light Grey |
Light |
Black |
Light Grey |
Blue |
Blue |
Dark |
Light Grey |
Light Grey |
Light Brown |
356 B T-6 Color Chart:
The 356 B T-6 changes brought four new colors including: Oslo Blue #6203, Champagne Yellow #6205, Bali Blue #6212, and Smyrna Green #6210.
356-B T-6 Exterior Paint Color - Interior Color Combinations for Coupe, Cabriolet & Roadster.
6201 Slate Grey |
6202 Ruby Red |
6203 Oslo Blue |
6204 Ivory |
6205 Champagne Yellow |
6206 Silver Metalic |
6207 Heron Grey |
6210 Smyrna Green |
6211 Signal Red |
6212 Bali Blue |
6213 Black |
Red | Black | Red | Brown | Green | Red | Green | Brown | Black | L. Brown | Red |
Green | Grey | Grey | Red | Black | Blue | Brown | Grey | Grey | Grey | Green |
In the small print it says: "Cabriolet (also with removable top) Interior: Seats in leather only"!
356-C Color Chart:
New 356-C colors include Sky Blue #6403, Irish Green #6406, Dolphin Grey #6410, and Togo Brown #6411, which are also designated as Special Colors.
Reproductions of the 356-C Color Chart and some of the earlier
color charts are beginning to show up on Ebay and elsewhere!
356-C Exterior Paint Colors - Interior Colors - Carpet Colors - Top Colors - for Coupe & Cabriolet.
Exterior |
#6401 |
#6402 |
#6403 |
#6404 |
#6405 |
#6406 |
#6407 |
#6410 |
#6411 |
#6412 |
#6413 |
Interior |
Red or |
Black or |
Red or |
Red or |
Green or |
Fawn or |
Black or |
Blue or |
Fawn or |
Fawn or |
Red or |
Upper |
Red or |
Black or |
Red or |
Red or |
Green or |
Fawn or |
Black or |
Blue or |
Fawn or |
Fawn or |
Red or |
Carpet |
Red or |
Black or |
Red or |
Red or |
Green or |
Beige or |
Black or |
Blue or |
Beige or |
Beige or |
Red or |
Top |
Black or |
Black or Grey/Beige |
Black or |
Black or |
Black or |
Black or |
Black or |
Black or |
Black or |
Black or |
Black or |
Source: 356-C Factory Interior/Exterior Color & Fabric Sample Book (W11, 1964)
Comment: The above are the standard factory color combinations as shown in the color charts and the interior fabric and carpet sample books. It is well known that factory customers could order special interior/exterior color combinations. So what is "correct" is either the above listed combinations, or whatever it says on a particular car's factory kardex.
356-C Carpet Samples:
Unfortunately, I cannot make a better scan of these carpet samples as they are still inside the sample book. The two samples on the left are Cabriolet top samples, black and grey/beige. The carpet samples, from left to right, are: Blue, Black, Red, Grey, Green, & Beige. The colors as shown, are pretty accurate for a scan. I scanned the page for maximum resolution, but the carpet samples are thick and made the writing under each sample less clear, but the colors are pretty accurate, looking at the scan and then at the originals.
Porsche 356 Paint Colors: 1950-1965!
Color |
1950-1953 |
1954-1955 |
1956 |
1957 |
1958-1959 |
1960-1961 |
1962-1963 |
1963-1965 |
Ivory (light) |
R504 |
5404 R504 |
- |
5704 |
5704 R704 |
6004 R738 |
6204 R738 |
6404 |
Black |
R501 |
5401 R501 |
5601 | 5701 |
5701 R701 |
6013 R701 |
6213 R701 |
6413 |
Marroon |
R503* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Adriatic Blue |
R509 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Fish-Silver Grey |
R505 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Moss Green |
R506* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Radium Green |
R510 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Azure Blue |
R522 |
5408 R522 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Pascha Red |
R523 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Strawberry Red |
R524 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Palm Green |
R526 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Sand Grey |
R527* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Medium Gray |
R531 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Dark Grey |
R532* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Terracotta |
R533* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Light Grey |
R534* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Silver Met Eff |
R535* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Jadegreen Met Eff |
R536* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Graphit Grey |
R537* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Turkish Red |
R538* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Dark Beige |
R542* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Silver Metalic |
- |
5406 R535 |
5606 | 5706 |
5706 R608 |
6006 R608 |
6206 R608 |
- |
Signal Red |
- |
R601 |
- |
- |
- |
6011 R601 |
6211 R601 |
6407 |
Graphite Metalic |
- |
5403 R537 |
5603 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Turkish Red |
- |
5402 R538 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Jade Green Met. |
- |
5405 R536 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Terre Cotta |
- |
5409 R533 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Adriatic Blue Met. |
- |
5410 R509 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Speedster Blue |
- |
R602 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
White |
- |
R603 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Pearl Grey |
- |
5407 R534 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Polyantha Red |
- |
- |
5602 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Sahara Beige |
- |
- |
5604 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Lago Green Met. |
- |
- |
5605 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Acquamarin Blue Metalic |
- |
- |
5607 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Meisson Blue |
- |
- |
- |
5703 |
5703 R703 |
- |
- |
- |
Stone Grey |
- |
- |
- |
5710 |
5710 R710 |
- |
- |
- |
Orange |
- |
- |
- |
5711 |
5711 R711 |
- |
- |
- |
Fjord Green |
- |
- |
- |
5705 |
5705 R705 |
6005 R705 |
- |
- |
Glacier White |
- |
- |
- |
5713 |
5713 R713 |
- |
- |
- |
Aquamarine Blue** |
- |
- |
- |
5707 |
5707 R707 |
- |
- |
- |
Auratium Green |
- |
- |
- |
5712 |
5712 R712 |
- |
- |
- |
Ruby Red |
- |
- |
- |
5702 |
5702 R702 |
6002 R702 |
6202 R702 |
6402 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Aetna Blue |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6003 R740 |
- |
- |
Slate Gray |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6001 R741 |
6201 R741 |
6401 |
Heron Gray |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6007 R739 |
6207 R739 |
- |
Condor Yellow |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6010 R743 |
- |
- |
Royal Blue |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6012 R742 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Oslo Blue |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6203 R745 |
- |
Champagne Yellow |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6205 R747 |
- |
Bali Blue |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6212 R746 |
- |
Smyrna Green |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6210 R744 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Sky Blue |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6403 |
Dolphin Grey |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6410 |
Togo Brown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6411 |
Irish Green |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6406 |
Note* Additional colors added 12/28/04, Porsche Price-List-Export P1, January 1, 1957.
Note** Listing by Brumos Porsche, 1963, shows this color as Aquamarine Green.
Color Code 9402....???
Recently on the 356 Registery Email List, a member asked for information concerning the color code stamped on the number plate in his door well. His number was 9402. Thorough reserach determined that there was no such color number for a 356 Porsche. Some speculated that it was a special order color, a practice that was common and may still be common today. They were almost correct. The #9402 also showed up on another member's Kardex, the factory document detailing the build details of each car. Turns out that the number #9402 is the ACCESSORY NUMBER. In the factory accessory catalogs, there is a listing for special order paint. The accessory number is #9402! |
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356 doorwell # plate. |
Alphabetical Interior Color Codes used on Color Charts & some Kardexs!
Recently questions were raised about the alphabetic interior color codes found on some Kardexes. These Porsche factory codes also show up on factory color charts. So in addition to factory exterior paint color codes, there are factory alphabetic interior color codes to identify the available colors of interior upholstery, i.e. seats, door panels, dash tops, etc.
Code |
Color |
356-B T-5 |
356-B T-6 | 356-C |
A |
Red |
X |
X |
X |
B |
Black |
X |
X |
X |
C |
Light Brown |
X |
X |
No |
D |
Light Grey |
X |
X |
X |
E |
Dark Grey |
X |
No |
No |
F |
BLue |
X |
X |
X |
G |
Green |
No |
X |
X |
H |
Brown |
No |
X |
No |
K |
Fawn |
No |
No |
X |
The above table shows the REGULARLY OFFERED factory interior color codes for 356 B's and 356-C's 1960 to 1965. This is NOT to say that there weren't other interior colors available as SPECIAL ORDERS, throughout the B/C production period. Most know that if you had the GELD, you could probably get any color you wanted!
Some Paint Popularity Statistics!
Below are some statistics on exterior paint colors as published at various times in the factory magazine, Christophorus. It is interesting to note that Silver declined in popularity during the period, while Ivory increased slightly, and Green increased substantially. Another article in Christophorus indicated that according to tests conducted by Porsche, Red and Yellow were the safest colors.
Paint Color |
1960 |
1963 |
1966 |
Silver |
21.3% |
9.3% | 3.1% |
Ivory | 19.5% | 21.6% | 23.9% |
Ruby Red | 13.6% | 15.7% |
- |
Heron Gray | 10.0% | 13.1% |
- |
Etna Blue | 8.6% |
- |
- |
Slate Gray | 6.3% | 11.2% | 6.9% |
Signal Red | 5.0% | 6.3% |
- |
Black | 4.0% | 2.8% | 3.0% |
Royal Blue | 3.8% |
- |
- |
Condor Yellow | 3.0% |
- |
- |
Fjord Green | 2.7% |
- |
- |
Meisson Blue Aurantium Green Special Colors |
1.3% | 1.8% |
- |
Champagne Yellow |
- |
4.1% |
- |
Bali Blue |
- |
2.9% |
- |
Polo Red |
- |
- |
18.7% |
Irish Green |
- |
- |
14.2% |
Aga (dark) Blue |
- |
- |
8.7% |
Gulf (light) Blue |
- |
- |
4.6% |
Sand Beige |
- |
- |
9.5% |
Bahama Yellow |
- |
- |
6.5% |
Other |
- |
- |
.9% |
Paint Formulas for 356 Porsches!
OK, here's one of the toughest subjects associated with 356 Porsche restoration......mixing paint to match the factory's original colors. It goes without saying that there have been substantial changes to paint bases and the tints that are used to color them. And therein lies the problem. Paint bases and tints used today cannot produce the original colors using the old formulas. So...........the old paint formulas aren't much good today because when used with current paint bases and tints, they will produce the wrong colors! Here are some examples of original Porsche color formulas:
Color |
Dulux Enamel |
Duco Laquer |
Rinshed & Mason |
Ruby Red (R702) |
(93)-83387 - H (Bleeder) |
(246)-83387 - H |
100 TE - 01 S.S. Mix 100 |
Now, these are actual color formulas for the factory color Ruby Red (6002 & 6202). If you can make any sense out of them, have at it! They are all Greek to me!
Click Here to see an extensive collection of original factory 356 Porsche Sales Literature,
and lots of other 356 stuff!
Always looking for additional information to include in this website. If you have interesting information not shown here, please contact me at the below address. Name credits given for all material used in the website!
"DerWhite's 356 Porsche Sales & Technical
Literature......the Book!"
Size 8.5 x 11 inches, Hardbound, 356 Pages, All Color!
Click here for more details about DerWhite's New Book!
Research and website creation by:
Charlie White
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"Eyes on a Cab" by Charlie White
Copyright@2004, 2005, 2014 DerWhite Productions, Phoenix, Arizona USA
Website created 12/28/04 & updated 1/16/14