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Several months ago, around MCACN show, there was a discussion among 3 different knowledgeable exhibitors about the many shades of Oldsmobile Gold in the early 70’s.
It was apparent that there was some confusion among these experts as to which Gold is which and what are the corresponding names
So, few weeks ago while I was stuck indoors during a bad snowstorm, I had some time and created this silly chart. I am sure that some will find few mistakes and I am open to correcting it.
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My ragtop is a code 57 Baroque CS which was rotisserie painted 'resale' red sometime during the 90's by a prior owner - found original color still shaded on the interior doors behind the panels tho.
And to add to the confusion the other GM used the same colors but called them different names. Except of course special order 70 nugget Gold which was Olds only. To make even more confusion Buick had Saturn Yellow on the GSX in 70 where Olds had Saturn gold in 71. Imagine Olds had 3 golds in 1970, compare that with today’s new car color choices. Rarely are there is even one gold choice
never mind 3. New cars you are lucky to find 5 choices of any color. I remember all the GM cars as a kid in 60s and 70s and there were a lot of gold cars driving around. Now it’s all black or gray and a few white cars.
Last edited by Jungle Cat; Apr 4, 2026 at 06:45 AM.
Joe, Buick GSX Saturn yellow is not the same as Olds Sebring yellow. This is pretty well researched. I restored a 70 GSX and researched the color pretty thoroughly before settling on the right color. It’s a Buick only code QQ paint much like Rally Red is an Olds only color.
Joe, Buick GSX Saturn yellow is not the same as Olds Sebring yellow. This is pretty well researched. I restored a 70 GSX and researched the color pretty thoroughly before settling on the right color. It’s a Buick only code QQ paint much like Rally Red is an Olds only color.
You are correct, apologies for the bad info.
1970 Buick Saturn Yellow is GM paint code WA4145. 1970-72 Chevy Sunflower Yellow is also WA4145, as is 1971-72 GMC Bright Yellow and 1971 Chevy Vega Yellow.
1970 Olds Sebring Yellow is WA3893. 1969-70 Chevy Daytona Yellow is also WA3893, as is 1969-70 and 1976-77 Pontiac Goldenrod Yellow, 1974, 76, and 77 Chevy Bright Yellow, 1976 Buick Colonial Yellow, 1977 Buick Yellow, and 1976 GMC Bright Yellow.
Interestingly Olds offered a Sebring Yellow in the 1976 model year, but the paint code is WA4642.
Interestingly we are just finishing up friends Yellow 72 W30 Convertible, Im all yellowed out at this point. My next car a 70 is going to be rally red, Original or not.
You are correct, apologies for the bad info.
1970 Buick Saturn Yellow is GM paint code WA4145. 1970-72 Chevy Sunflower Yellow is also WA4145, as is 1971-72 GMC Bright Yellow and 1971 Chevy Vega Yellow.
1970 Olds Sebring Yellow is WA3893. 1969-70 Chevy Daytona Yellow is also WA3893, as is 1969-70 and 1976-77 Pontiac Goldenrod Yellow, 1974, 76, and 77 Chevy Bright Yellow, 1976 Buick Colonial Yellow, 1977 Buick Yellow, and 1976 GMC Bright Yellow.
Interestingly Olds offered a Sebring Yellow in the 1976 model year, but the paint code is WA4642.
All this is from paintref.com
Joe brings up a valid point, which is to use the GM paint codes. All the rest is marketing. My OEM has a color named Stormcloud. It's a very nice....color. It looks like a storm cloud, and we painted the Grand Highlander that's in the lobby that color. But, it would be cool to call it Stormcloud BLUE but we can't because its Toyota paint code codes it as a grey. It's obviously blue, although it's right there on the line. So, use numbers.
