150 Color Schemes

Can someone help me to find the paint codes for the following XK 150 colours : indigo blue - cotswold blue. A description of the colour or the specification of an identical contemporary colour would be welcome as well. Many thanks in advance. - Marc Bertels

To all: Since the question of color comes up so frequently, perhaps we can all help build a database on the website which will have all the known colors that were used ,and next to the color the type,brand name, formula for its modern equivalent, or an off the shelf substitute. If you have painted your car recently with an as close to original color, and you know the modern code number,type, and brand of paint send it to Dick White and he will post it to the webpage. Another possibility would be to send a letter to several paint manufacturers asking them if they have anything in their archives, or its possible that some might have the color charts and formulas still in current use.Yes, even the local paint outlet has computerized, so its possible for them to have available massive amounts of information. I'm not aware of it but has anybody else ever compiled a list of XK paint formulas; perhaps the JEC, JCNA,Skilliter,or Porter? Where's Roger Payne? He must have this all compiled already. - Regards, Wray Schelin

Dear Marc, re the blue colours: The original codes are usually no help as they are outdated or from manufacturers who don't exist any more. Indigo Blue was code 1233 and Cotswold Blue was 1234 (these are the original Jaguar supplier's codes). Cotswold Blue is a pretty common Jaguar colour from the time e.g. Mk I, II etc., so you should be able to find a match. Have you looked at your own car for samples of the original colour (assuming it was blue to start with)? I can also add a DuPont code from North America Indigo: (246) 27261-H, Cotswold (246) 27269. Also ICI Dulux here in Australia had Cotswold available for order (no code quoted) but did not list Indigo. PPG Industries of Ohio, USA listed Cotswold as code 12199, and Indigo as 12119. Try also 8233 for Indigo, which is listed as an early 80s colour too (not sure if it is the same as the 150 colour). The Jag factory sent me a list of ICI codes too, Indigo 3312 Cotswold 3148. I will be surprised if you do not turn up something by going through the usual trade channels in your country, asking what the major suppliers have. Order a small quantity and see if you like it. Cotswold I think is a most attractive mid blue, somewhat soft and powdery looking. Indigo must be I presume stronger and darker (only a guess). - Regards, John Elmgreen

Marc, When I purchased my 150DHC in 1982, it had been repainted twice, the last color being a Fiat blue, which I will describe as 'robin's egg' blue. Before finishing the bodywork and repainting in a Jaguar 'cream' (basically old English white, it's original color), I was very tempted to go with the Cotswold blue. I have seen it on both a 150fhc coupe and a 140dhc here in the States and when highly polished, it looks great. I have never seen indigo on a car, just a chip, but this sounds intriguing. I have found that Phillip Porters book is very informative when it comes to original combinations, and that most paint suppliers with older books seem to have the chips for most of the colors. The indigo, as I recall is very dark, almost black. The cotswold blue to me is like a dull sky blue with a hint of gray or black in it. Hope this helps, but I would look for the chips or if someone has the formula, spend the money and buy a small tin of each and paint opposite fenders for a real comparison. - Bill Burke

I have a friend who has an original 140 FHC in Pastel Blue which is a light "egg shell" blue and a few years ago I had a 140 DHC which I had repainted in Indigo Blue. This was matched from a 150 as I believe it was only a 150 colour. It is a dark Royal Blue colour and looks very smart. I think I may be able to find (amongst my XK junk) the colour codes if anyone is interested. - Roger Herrick

The Indigo Blue colour was matched to the Glasurit two pot type and is code "JAG 505". Hope this helps. - Roger Herrick

Re colours, the info is available:

If you want a particular colour combination verified, let me know. - Regards, John Elmgreen

Don't think the list is correct as my 59 150S OTS is Carmen Red and has a Black Interior which I believe to be original in that I got the car from a guy who had it since 61, drove it a couple years and then stored it. I bought it in the early seventies and it had all the license plates from 64 on thrown behind the seats! Motor was frozen and the brake cylinders leaked (bad). After replacing the cylinders (they were cheap then) and putting about a gallon of penetrating oil down the spark plug holes, the engine freed up and then, after cleaning up the fuel system the thing ran! Drove it off and on for the next 20 years until I had a brain fart and decided to restore it. (knowing what I know now, I think I would have given it an engine rebuild, a 65-67 E type tranny, and alternator and a $200 paint job and continue to drive the bejeezus out of it!!!) - David Drenzek

That seems to match the only list I've ever seen in a book, but doesn't seem to match what I've seen. Every Carmen Red roadster I've ever seen has had a black interior, but acording to this list it should be a red interior. My roadster was originally Maroon or Claret and had a Grey interior and there is no evidence that this wasn't original, which again isn't listed as an option here. Anybody know if this list is really correct, did the factory not follow the list, or must it have been a later change on these cars? Thanks - Dave Massey

The list of colour matches I sent came from a JCNA publication that looked to me like an extract from a salesman's brochure. So much for the reliability of that! Anyway, one piece of reliable information I can give you is not of great weight - details of cars in Australia re actual trim fitted to the cars new. Interestingly, there were very few (originally) red cars at all (XK150s) in Aus and only ONE sold new here (three others imported secondhand). And each of those 4 cars had a different trim colour! Biscuit, Black, Grey and Red. Only one was open, an OTS, with Black hood (soft top). Also, the car with Black trim was the only XK in Aus that ever was fitted new with Black trim (leather). The most common colour here new was Cream (OEW). Maroon cars - again, 5 cars, trim was Biscuit (x 3), or Maroon (x 2). - Regards, John Elmgreen

Roger, Thanks for the code. I have read the term "two pot" before but I don't know what it means. Is that an epoxy paint? - Sam Bell

Sam, I'm not an expert on paint (far from it) but I believe that a two pot painting system is the mixing of two different components (ie "two pot") to produce the final mixed spray paint. - Roger Herrick

If you have any questions or comments send e-mail to: ted@jag-lovers.org
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