Hi, I am trying to find a paint that would be a good match for a 1971 XKE silver gray 3308
Thank you.

 

Here is one cross reference.

Jaguar Paint Codes

 

In my experience, older paint codes are rarely available. I've used three ways to select color for restoration projects....
1. Remove a part from the car that is the original color. Preferably a part that has been protected from fading or chemical exposure. Take the part to an automotive paint supplier and ask them to match. In my opinion this is the most accurate way to get a modern paint to correlate with an older color.
2. If #1 isn't possible, try to find a modern car (newer than 2010) that has a color you consider close to the original paint. I've tried this by comparing color chips online at paintref.com and ppgpaintit.com. I've also done this by just looking at cars. Then ask your paint supplier to mix a sample of the modern code from those references. You may have to try several samples to get a code you consider acceptable.
3. In some rare cases, I've found older paint codes have been re-created in modern paint formulas. In my experience, Glasurit and PPG have a limited database specifically for cross reference to older codes. Ask your paint supplier to contact the paint company HQ to see if there is anything available.

cheers, Richard

 

post deleted

 

FWIW, I recently acquired a 1974 OTS that has a few paint issues. While the paint chart previously posted on this thread doesn't include the SIII's - like yours and mine - as part of group with "Silver Grey Metallic" paint, the colors of your car and mine should - in theory - be the same.

So... Chasing down official records, I have a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate that lists the "Exterior Paint Colour" as "Silver".

JCNA keeps records on Jaguars production info. I queried them based on my VIN and here's the response: "The official factory Chassis Records state that the original color is 'Silver'. The paint code charts list the color as 'Silver Gray Metallic', paint code MDB/260. The PPG replacement is listed as 32221 with an offset of 32799/3664. (What the offset means, you will have to ask your body shop)."

I passed all this to my paint guy. Unfortunately, it's bow season, and he says he won't start work on my car until December. (Priorities...)

That all being said, IMHO, I can't see how the paint color would not have faded/changed a bit after fifty years - even slightly. Plus, I tend to trust someone else's research on modern paint vs 70's paint about as much as I trust AI. And since I'm not having the whole car painted, getting a color to match the rest of the car is very important to me. As such, my intention is to follow Richard's first suggestion and have the shop do a few color samples FIRST for all to review. We shall see.

Good luck. And please post your decision.