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Exactly the same car, exactly the same specification, exactly the same driving experience so why is one worth more than the other, with a greater resale value?

There are two factors that come into play that have a significant impact on a car’s appeal and value but neither have much to do with science or technology, instead boiling down to the psychology of desire and a weird marriage between scale, shape and one crucial element………..colour.

For some owners, only one colour will do. [Image credit: www.stuff.co.nz]

There is no question that some cars carry different colours better than others. Lamborghini get away with cars in neon hues such as the lime green ‘Verde Scandal’ whereas getting any appreciation of this ‘tint’ on a Morgan or Range Rover would be a task of Herculean proportion.

Certain palettes work well because they can accentuate the lines and shape of the vehicle or in some cases disguise elements of a car that may otherwise be deemed unattractive. A Ferrari 308 or 246 which looks beautiful in ‘Russo Corse’ can suddenly see it’s curvaceous lines and beauty disappear if painted white, yet look at any Jaguar and its beautiful shape and lines look fabulous in in this glamorous tone.

Colours harbour emotional triggers in all of us, which, when combined with personal preference, experiences, upbringing, cultural differences, and context have an impact that can make or break a vehicle, classic or otherwise.

It is amazing that after all the money and technology, craftsmanship and development that goes into the making of a car, in most cases, at the end of the day if the colour doesn’t work, no one is going to buy it.