Hey Folks,
I have been looking online at Lionel tinplate cars in the 650 series, and note that many times the refurbished ones have been re-painted in brilliant neon green or neon yellow colors.
Were the original cars painted in these eye-sore colors? If not, then why are people doing it?
Thx,
Mannyrock
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Originals were never eye popping neon colors The strongest were the orange and the Pea green o/w they were muted color like cream, peacock, apple green and maroon.
Why do they get painted in neons? Good question.
Thanks Rob.
Amazing that someone would go to all of the trouble to recondition a car, and then intentionally mess it up.
Mannyrock
There is a dealer who frequently sells at shows in the So Cal area and he always has a good assortment of restored prewar O gauge and he uses a variety of bright, innacurate colors. Don’t understand who buys them but his prices are inexpensive and he’s always moving inventory so…
Personally I wouldn’t waste my time going through a restoration to use bad (to me) looking colors. I guess some don’t seem to mind.
Can you post pictures of these neon cars? I would love to see some (though probably not love to buy some).
Hi Ben,
Just go on the "Bay" and search for "Lionel tinplate cars." You will see them. (Most often green or yellow, sometimes red.) At outrageous asking prices.
Crazy that someone would "ruin" a car in restoration, and then ask so much for it.
Mannyrock
I have seen where guys restore an item and paint it a non-stock color so that a disreputable person couldn't resell it as an original.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
