General White cars (bossa nova)

[blogsy]

Hi all, I am going to come clean from the start, I don't own a Fiat. I have a 1972 mk1 ford escort that i have been restoring for a while and it is now time at last to think about paint. I keep seeing this 500 driving about where I live in a lovely cream white, modern yet a bit of the 60s 70s about it, a bit like old English white. I believe it is called Bossa Nova white but the thing is that every time I see it it looks a different shade of white from the lovely cream to a cold sharp white. Can anyone that owns one confirm this? As far as i know the colour is not a metallic or pearlescent flip (changes colour as you walk around the car) So how can this be. appreciate any input.

 

[dave]

as nice as the 500 white maybe the escort should really be painted in its own original colour imo

 

[Spinnerdcc]

The one you keep seeing may be in funk white, it's a pearl finish paint.

Oh and welcome to the forum.

 

[portland_bill]

I agree, probably the funk white. There's one in Swindon, like an oyster shell, looks different depending on sunshine and angle of view. Wonderful colour, but possibly difficult or expensive.

 

[Mercky]

I think he's referring to BNW, it can look different depending on light etc. Brand new cars tend to look fairly white but as the car is used a bit it looks more creamy. I thought the same a few years ago and presumed there were two different colours. It is indeed like old English white but I would agree that a classic should be painted in an original colour - probably a more pure white in the case of an escort. Then again maybe a cream on a mk1 would be nice!!

 

[The Twins]

Yes, I think BNW too. Funk white does not look like a retro colour. It's almost 'flip' like or at least very very pearlescent.
BNW is like 'old English white'

 

[alexGS]

I suspect for every one Funk White 500 (pearlescent paint; considerable extra cost), there will be 1000 Bossa Nova White 500s (flat colour, non-metallic, no extra cost). In fact, any colour other than BNW was an extra cost, still is in NZ, not sure about the UK.

I think BNW would work well on an Escort, being non-metallic, it would look 'right' for the model and period. Yes I know there were metallic paints in the 70s, but they were an extra cost...

-Alex

 

[blogsy]

Yes it is definitely BNW that I'm talking about. I am seeing it as a modern version of the old English white, the Escort is kind of a modern version of the original mk1 as this one has an up to date 300hp 2 litre turbo engine in it but that's another story. Alexgs you say that it is not metallic or pearl which is a good thing for me, but why does it seem to change shades if it even does? Time to visit my dealer.

 

[portland_bill]

For many years Ford Old English White has been used by everyone as it is a very clean bright white. Why not stick with it, much easier to match later should the need arise. As well as the original cellulose, it is probably available in any modern paint type.

 

[MJG]

I suspect for every one Funk White 500 (pearlescent paint; considerable extra cost), there will be 1000 Bossa Nova White 500s (flat colour, non-metallic, no extra cost). In fact, any colour other than BNW was an extra cost, still is in NZ, not sure about the UK.

I think BNW would work well on an Escort, being non-metallic, it would look 'right' for the model and period. Yes I know there were metallic paints in the 70s, but they were an extra cost...

-Alex

Yes in the UK on the 500 BNW is/was the only colour you didn't pay extra for.

Strangely for the 500L 'Pasodoble Red' was the 'free' colour and BNW (and all the others) were supposed to be an extra cost option, however we ended up not paying more a 500L in BNW.

 

[306maxi]

I very much suspect you're talking about BNW


Funk white would not work on an Escort IMHO.


When properly clean, BNW can look quite white

But when you're in something really white like snow, you realise that it's definitely not really white, but cream. To be fair the car was slightly dirty in the photo below, but this gives you a good idea what it looks like.

 

[portland_bill]

Who needs a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow when there is something much better, a Fiat 500.
Next rainbow I see, I'm going searching for a 500 too.