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MG TD TF 1500 - Red tub color with Moss red leather seats?

My TF restoration will have red interior and red tub as it was when it left Abington. I don’t believe the Moss leather seats are the same color red as original(?)

The car had a tan interior when I bought it. No pieces of original seat leather, and no traces of original exterior paint.

I bought Moss red leather seat covers for my TF a couple of years ago. The color is a darkish red. I need to choose a red color for the tub that won’t clash with the seats. I prefer to have a little contrast between the seat color and the paint color. Would like to stay somewhat like original TF red.

What color red did you use with your red Moss seats? Perhaps a standard original red used on a modern American car. Any advice on choosing a color?

Thanks for your help,

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

You can contact the various suppliers and get free samples of leather and vinyl stocks.

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

I’ve already bought Moss red leather seats and vinyl door cards etc. So, I gotta find a red paint that will look good with the red seats.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

My TF, a 55, originally had a red interior and MG red paint.
PJ Jennings

Lonnie: The Moss Red is considerably darker than the MG original red upholstery. Its just a Moss thing. My personal problem with the color is that I think it's too blue/purple.

There is a bit of contrast between the car color and the interior color as you stated.

Check out the color Reno Red. May have to Google it because it's not a current color.

It's a bit brighter red than MG Red and might make a better contrast.

Christopher Couper

My problem is that (I believe) the Moss red leather seats are not the same color as the original seats installed at Abingdon. Therefore, the original red paint color may clash with the Moss seats. Looking for an “MG- like” red paint that will compliment the Moss red seats. Thought maybe someone has already solved the quest.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Thanks Chris,

You are 100% right in your color description of the seats. I’ve been placing various red items next to the seats today. I agree that a brighter red is needed to compliment the dark seats. I’ll look at Reno Red and similar reds. I believe that I looked at it online a few years ago.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Now I remember where I had seen Madder red - -

A recently deceased member of our MG club painted his TF and his MGA in Madder Red. I really like the color. A couple of weeks ago, I asked his widow if I could put my Moss seat covers against the red on the two cars to see how they look together.

My gut feel is that I may need a brighter red.

> Madder Red, 1973-1975 Chevy Luv trucks
https://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?color=Madder Red&tditzler=71993&rows=50

> 5,489 GM red paint colors (This is going to take a while!)
https://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?manuf=GM&gncl=red&con=mc&gncl=red&rows=50

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Hi Lonnie, Ideas: Drive around in parking lots and look for a car the color you want. I think Fiat/Alfa, Corvette, trucks, Mustangs, etc. are still in solid reds. Not a lot of red cars these days but you might get lucky. Try https://www.autocolorlibrary.com/ , click on modern, and then put in each brand and search the chips. Of course your monitor will vary color. If you find something you like, have a local paint jobber or body shop do spray out. Lastly, ask at a local auto paint jobber if they still have chip books. A few years ago Terry's here still had them. Just take outside and look for reds you like. We did 3 spray outs for my TD's green, and picked 2006 Range Rover Belize Green. Since it is also a current and non-custom color, it should be easy to match if needed. George
George Butz III

George, that’s too easy! Thanks. I agree with your suggestions for modern red cars. I’ll look at colors on line, then go “car shopping” to see the color with my red seats.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Here's an idea of what you are going for, the engine representing the Moss red. I always felt the two didn't go well together myself.




L E D LaVerne

LaVerne -

I had the same thought last night. You’re right about engine-red and body-red. I’ll spray a sample of Bill Hirsch MG engine red and try to find a modern red for my body that will look good with Moss seats and with Hirsch engine paint.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

First step might I suggest is a paint chart card from your local paint factor and then possibly a aerosol can sample to check.These cards can differ between countries I believe but conversion charts are available to convert perhaps the original colour (color) to that in which the car is located. I was lucky when I bought my TF Stateside and returned it to the UK the restorer had the presence of mind to note the paint colour code on the inside of the firewall/bulkhead.
JK Mazgaj

Lonnie,
The factory colors were so unstable, and varied from car to car even when new, my advise is always to have people choose a color they believe honors the original color. Red was one of the most unstable colors. I would recommend you go to the neighborhood in your town with all the car dealers, and color shop. Go on a sunny day, and again on an overcast day. When the salesman comes running up to you and asks if he can help you, ask them for the name of the color you like.
My preference for red on T series cars is a slightly blue red, and to stay away from the orange reds. I think the Mazda Miata red looks very good on a TF with a red interior.
Be well,
David
D. Sander

Autumn red would still have contrast.
W A Chasser

It's a rumour. Paints weren't perfect, but were more stable than you think. Even then, they had colour standards.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Most cars these days have metallic in the paint, which would not be suitable for a TF. It may not be much, but if you find a color, then you will have to see if it is a metallic when you buy the paint.
Rb Harding

My first task is to set my seats against an MGA and TF painted in Madder Red. That will tell me if I need a different shade.

Thanks Rb. I’ll avoid metallics.

Thanks to everyone for your replies and for your emails. I’ll give you an update after seeing the MGA and TF. They are only a couple of miles away.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

I too like the red on red. The red I chose looks different in all lights. From a classic red to a deep maroon. It does however contrast with the Moss interior/ leather seats. It is a urethane single stage paint called fire tempest red.
https://tcpglobal.com/products/rsp-au2702-kit-m?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv7nr2sDS7AIVd_LjBx1hygGyEAQYBSABEgIbsvD_BwE

David Levy

This was our 72 I restored for the wife, painted in 1972 Flame red. Just throwing another British Red out there. PJ

PJ Jennings

David Levy: Are those Moss red seats? Those look to be the correct color but all the Moss red seats I have seen are much darker. See the attached color swatch.

Perhaps Moss supplies are different for AU?

Christopher Couper

Here is some comparison of the original red from a TC dash to the Moss red in the first picture with a flash which makes the color look closer than it really is. The second picture is a much more accurate example of the maroon shade of the red.




L E D LaVerne

I was given the color code for a nearly perfect match for Autumn Red, it is 1974 Opel L501 Burgundy...PPG brand code 50930... I found it on TF 8161 , build date Nov '54, and the fellow I got it from had a '53 TD, and he had found it in a covered area. I had it mixed and did a spray out card, and it was dead on...very dark, so the Moss red leather might contrast well with it. Aidan
A Corwin

This thread was discussed between 22/10/2020 and 30/10/2020

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