Code 681 green "john deere" green. Are you fans of it?

[CHAS404]

I am looking to buy an FJ40 to restore and it is original code 681 green (bottle green).

I like it OK but....

1. if original restoration should match the code

2. but maybe if it is to be a more retro restoration can take liberties a bit and change color

it is a 1983 hardtop FJ40.

maybe do a different FJ40 code color like funky orange or a modern dark grey or black.

comments welcome.

http://coolfj40.stores.yahoo.net/clfjjdegrco6.html

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi,Proper restore go original color. Yes I like that color. Mike
o

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I'm with Mike. Proper Stock resto... original color. However, Non-Stock resto ... eat your heart out.... Sky is the limit.

J

 

[cjgoode]

Unless you are going full on factory pick a color you like. Very few people would even know what the original colors were. As soon as you put bigger tires on you are no longer properly restored it to factory. I went with something close to the factory color for my 1962, no color codes, so I polished a piece the best I could then found a color I liked that was close and will use it. No one in the world will be able to tell the difference because there are no color pictures from then, if it was something other then green from the factory then I would have just picked about the same color green, as I want to be happy looking at it and could careless about anyone else.

 

[N919HJ]

I think you should stay original, especially on an 83. There are to few of them to mod out.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I am looking to buy an FJ40 to restore and it is original code 681 green (bottle green).

"Restore" = "original code 681 green"

IMO, it kind of depends on how original the rig is and how much actual restoration you're going to do. If you're going to carefully repair all the sheetmetal and not put much bondo into it, it should be original.

OTOH, it's your money. If you paint it some metallic clearcoat color, don't expect a positive reaction from this forum member.

 

[Pierps]

It's a matter of opinion. During my short time on this planet, I've learned that only idiots debate matters of opinion. So do what makes you happy.

But, since you asked for opinions, here's mine!

That John Deer green color is absolutely hideous. You could do worse, but not much! Part of what makes FJ40's appealing to me is their old-school aesthetics. A lot of those aesthetics have to do with the color... and not just the color- single stage (base/clear just doesn't look the same).

I have 35's on my rig with an SBC 350. Not original by any means, but my rig will stay dune beige for as long as I own it, which will hopefully be until I'm 6 feet under!

 

[fj401978]

If it is an '83, you should restore it to original, 1983 is such a rare year for a USA '40, there are only a very few of them. If you want a toy, something to modify and play with, get another year...I'm certainly a fan of wheeling, playing and modifying, my rig is far from 'pure'...but not an '83...

 

[daniel.watters]

Can't go wrong with original; I like the john deer green, especially on the newer 40's.

 

[duffontap]

Can't go wrong with original; I like the john deer green, especially on the newer 40's.

X2. I actually think it's a great looking color on a late, square-bezel '40.

 

[CHAS404]

Thanks so much for all the comments. I love all the factory toyota colors. I also love some of the new darker modern looks. This is an 83 Colombian model. it's in pretty nice shape and has the original japanese hardtop (not the colombian fiberglass top). Deciding between a frame on resto (stay with green) but repainting inside and outside. Per my body guy it is not 'original' green but a close match. we would be getting the original toyota paint codes OR a body off restoration which means we can either do green or change it up. I love the original look but also love the modern style looks too.

 

[studawg]

This is a tough one. I dont like the John Deere green, but if Im restoring an 83 40, I would have a hard time painting it anything other than the original color. However, I think it also depends on if you are doing it to resell or to keep for yourself. If you plan on keeping it, I would definitely paint it a color you like. If you plan to resell when you are done, it makes it a harder decision. It would then depend on how popular the color is, which may be why you started the thread. There are some who love the John Deere green, and would love a fully restored one. But if someone is about to drop a bunch of money on a restored 40, I have to think that most peoples' first choice would be something other than that, and if its a quality resto, they probably arent going to care too much if its a color change. After all, the most expensive road car ever sold at auction, just recently a red Ferrari for $27.5 million, was originally blue. But to answer your question, I am not a fan of John Deere green.

(Also not a fan of any metallic colors on a 40.)

 

[Leaping Deer]

Not a fan of the color. I would pick a different color from the toyota line. Mine is mustard and while its growing on me I'm going olive 653.

I bought my uncles 73 Vette a number of years ago and back in the 80's he painted over the original elkhart green with a factory red for that year. I always told myself that when I restore it I was going to go back to the factory color..... then I saw it at a car show and its was bad. I'll either keep the red or go to a dark blue from that year. Any antique vehicle I do is going to be for me and not for someone else. I tend to like them more original but it has to suit me.

Whatever you do pick a solid color. I don't think these old truck look good with and kind of metalic.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Mine is mustard and while its growing on me I'm going olive 653.

Both good colors. I like olive better, if it's not obvious, but it's tough to do a convincing color change.

I bought my uncles 73 Vette a number of years ago and back in the 80's he painted over the original elkhart green with a factory red for that year. I always told myself that when I restore it I was going to go back to the factory color..... then I saw it at a car show and its was bad. I'll either keep the red or go to a dark blue from that year.

With a Corvette it's a much easier decision. Does it have matching numbers engine and transmission? If so, also color matching is worth $10k in resale value. Factory red (resale red) is a good 2nd choice, but it won't be worth as much. If it has had the engine or trans replaced I don't think it matters much.

 

[SteveH]

I'd paint it the OEM color - John Deere green on an FJ is about like Corvette yellow - sorta yesterday's news. It's by far not the worst choice, unless you paint the front bezel John Deere yellow and upholster the headliner with John Deere-motif fabric from Walmart.

653 Olive and Mustard are a couple of good, honest FJ40 colors. My Jeep Wrangler Islander-owning neighbor once lamented that my 653 Olive FJ 'looked a lot more at home in the woods' than his smurf-blue Islander. 'Nuff said.

 

[AdamKFarmer]

I'm partial to it I must say, I think it really speaks to the era it was made in, late/70s early 80s loved bright colors and this was about as far as Toyota got.

 

[Gregor]

Here's your visual...

 

[Leaping Deer]

With a Corvette it's a much easier decision. Does it have matching numbers engine and transmission? If so, also color matching is worth $10k in resale value. Factory red (resale red) is a good 2nd choice, but it won't be worth as much. If it has had the engine or trans replaced I don't think it matters much.

It is numbers matching and yeah I know that it wouldn't resale as much but to be honest I'm not doing it for anyone else. I purchased the car from my uncle when I was 15 and it was my first automotive purchase. My uncle bought the car from the original owner back in 81. I was 3 at the time. This is the car that sparked my life long obsession with cars. Someone else can have it when they pry it from my cold dead hands. I'm thinking one of my girls can have the Vette and the other can have the 40 when I'm gone.

 

[Landpimp]

681(JD green) IS OEM and would be correct for 81-83(US and others), if thats what it is now, I would leave it, I think its a great color.....as it happens to be what my 82 is(and its original inside and out) South America got lots of bright colors.

I do get asked if its a repaint as almost no one has seen the 681 color, there were not many of them in the states.


crappy pic

 

[CHAS404]

Thanks guys! Landpimp THANKS THANKS! I am offering on right now! I spoke with my body shop guy and I am going with 681 green. It is currently painted something close to that but he is a perfectionist and wanted to make it perfect and original. Hopefully I can buy and start the frame off restoration. She is a Colombian beauty and a 1983.

You all would be happy to know that down here in Colombia they talk about the same issues. many like my body guy love the original. And some here put 4.5 liter EFI 24 valves in an FJ43 (i saw one very very cool).

landpimp yours must have been a 'versiona americana'. did it come with split seats and rear roll bar? this one here has the bench and the long rear seats. no bar no dash pads.

this 1983 is rare though bec it has the japanese/toyota original metal top.