News:

The W116 Library - The definitive W116 resource!

Main Menu

Is this Cypress Green Metallic?

Started by 911-450, 08 November 2015, 07:19 AM

911-450

I'm looking at purchasing a 450 SEL several thousand miles away and am trying to figure out what color it is. I think it's an 876 from the photos, but the car is listed as a 1974 .. so not sure it could be. If not, any idea which it is? http://www.w116.org/tech/colors/ Thank you in advance for any help! regards, James

floyd111


ptashek

Best bet is to ask the seller for details of the options plate from under the hood. It'll tell you the original colour code.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

911-450

Thanks, I will. Just thought I'd see if anyone has one and could verify for me. Thank you!

s class

That is very definately NOT cypress green, not even close.  Cypress is a dark green with a hint o gold and brown. 



[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

911-450

Ah, ok .. wow that looks way different than the color chart at http://www.w116.org/tech/colors/ .  Anyone have a guess. (I will try to get the owner to look.) As I said, it's reported to be a '74, so it kind of limits the options.  JLM

rumb

I'd say it is 876.  As said, just get the number from the info plate to be sure.

I like the color whatever it is!
'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

floyd111

I see 2 big issues here..
First, it isn't at all sure this Benz has an official Benz color.
Second, the official color code sheet is as realistic as Bush's second term in office.

If S-Class is right -and I believe he is, that color code sheet isn't worth a dime. These 2 W116 paint jobs could not be further apart.
Closest thing to actual colors is Thistle Green, and that ain't it neither, be it that Thistle has the capacity to change color enormously in different light and angles.

mirafioriman

Having owned a cypress green W116 it definitely isn't cypress green. It may have been originally but it looks like its been repainted in a non standard colour to me. Or it could be a rare Mercedes colour. I don't remember ever seeing a W116 in that colour before.
I'm called Dave! I currently own: Mercedes W116 450 SEL 6.9, Mercedes W109 300 SEL 6.3, Mercedes W126 420 SEL, Fiat 130 Berlina, Fiat 131 Supermirafiori, Fiat 131 Panorama, Fiat 132 2000, Fiat Argenta and a Citroen Xantia.

ptashek

Quote from: floyd111 on 08 November 2015, 02:18 PM
Second, the official color code sheet is as realistic as Bush's second term in office.

Once you have the official colour code and manufacturer from the options plate, you can actually look it all up online at the OEM vendor's site. Both are still in business and doing well.

Keep in mind that unless you're viewing the official colour chart on a perfectly calibrated display, you may get wildly varying results depending on hardware. Printed charts fade with years - same issue.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

s class

I have seen many zypress benzes in the metal, and the photo I posted up is a fairly accurate representation.


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

gavin116

#11
Hi James


The colours mentioned on this forum are true and correct in name and number (paint code) only.  The colour assigned next to each name is not the actual colour, but an approximation of the colour just to guide you quickly to the correct group of colours, i.e. that are not actual paint chips.


As your car is 1974, I got out my May 1974 paint chip brochure.  I think your car is a flat colour, specifically 860 Green.  There is a metallic green, 861 Silver green for that year, but I do not think it is this colour. 


Click on the images to enlarge them - sorry I took them in the kitchen, and the light isn't too good + shadows + flash, but you get the idea.


Hope this helps,


Gavin


Edit: I stand corrected, there is a second metallic green: Stone-pine green code 862, but as we can see, it is a very dark colour, the car in the picture is much lighter.  Incidentally, this is the forerunner to Cypress green metallic (which makes its first appearance in the Oct 1976 colour chip brochure).  And there is also a second flat green colour: Dark olive 291, but again too dark for the car in the picture.
1979 450SE "Mrs White"
2022 Touareg-R 3.0TSi Hybrid
[url="http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/"]http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/[/url]
[url="http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613"]http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613[/url]

ptashek

That's a great resource Gavin. Any chance you could scan it somewhere? That last page is quite interesting.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

rumb

'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

Beastie

More photos with better zoom: http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1974-Mercedes_Benz-450SEL-1292153.xhtml

Not that it helped me.:P
I'd guess it's a recently repainted silver green (861) but I think Gavin may be on the right track in saying that it could be a solid gloss rather than a metallic, which would only leave green 860, if it's an original colour at all.
1979 280SEL

"She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro."