Hey all,

Have a '93 Classic in the dark red. Been doing a bit of clean up on her since late summer and so have been wondering if the dark red paint applied to the Classic is the same dark red available on any other 240 or if it's a shade specific to the Classic. Anyone happen to know?

From my research the paint code is 414 (Ruby Red). Now, I haven't come across anything suggesting a special or specific paint code for the Classic so I am inclined to believe that 414 on the Classic was taken from the general 240 palette.

Also, interesting is that 414 comes up in two versions, a 'flat' and a 'vivid' shade. The latter more metallic (perhaps used on other models or maybe in later model years when more sparkling paint became more en vogue), the flat clearly matching what is on the car.

Anyhow, if anyone has any information that can shed more light, confirm the aforementioned findings I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

 

I don't believe it's a special paint exclusive to the Classic. Most Volvo paints are found in 3 shades, shown by a -1, -2 or -3 after the color code under the hood. For instance, my 89 245 is a 602-3 wine red. When waxed up, it is very similar to the Classic's overall color..although it is not a metallic. Go to VOLVO PARTS Volvo 240 parts Volvo 850 parts Volvo 740 parts Volvo 940 parts S70 V70 960 760 S40 V40 S80 140 122 1800 164 and More! Parts Accessories Repair Performance Manuals. Was VolvoWorld and research their color codes and the location of the info plate on your car.

 

swiftjustice44,

Many thanks for the info. Info plate reveals 414-21. Unless you (or anyone) knows, next stage in research is what the '-21' means? Particular shade of Ruby Red perhaps...

 

Let's get the know facts out of the way. First three digits indicates color code. In your case 414.
next digit represent the color manfacture.
In your case 2, which is Herberts.
The additional digit was added after 1988 models to represent solvent and water based paints.
In your case 1, which represents solvent based.

Here is the tricky, and quite contradictory part.
Since it was a limited edition, It should be special, but they didn't make only 800 models with just that color. Keep in mind, Volvo made about 150,000 240 models in 1993. Other countries started the Classic edition earlier as well. That's not to say they were only available in the two colors we were given, if at all. 1993 plain editions had these same colors in other countries.

Here is where I first looked, a great site about 240 with nice details and pictures in brochures and model specs, mostly Swedish standards though.
Colours

The USA color market is different from the Sweden market, but only until color 400, after that they are the same. So look at the Sweden market. 414 appears to be available in '93.
That can't be said for 412, the other Classic color. This indicates it was available in Sweden beforehand, but not here.

Model-specific color here? Most likely.

Here is the strange part.

Volvo Club, A UK club, lists 414 as painted on the 960 and 850.
Maybe that is the UK market, which is different?

Intriguing...