1963 Austin Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 1963 Austin Vibe

1963 was the year the Mini truly began outrunning the British establishment, and the Austin Cambridge was the undisputed king of the suburban driveway. In this era, Austin didn't need a rainbow to make a point. We've focused our database on the two survivors that define the period: the crisp Maltese White and the iconic, high-octane Tartan Red. These weren't just colors; they were the skin of an era where cars were mechanical, honest, and built to be driven until the wheels fell off.

Paint Health Check

Back in '63, we were living in the Single Stage Era. Your Austin doesn't have a clear coat-it's just raw, thick pigment and resin fighting the elements all on its own. This is "real" paint, but it comes with a price. If your project looks more like a chalkboard than a car, you're dealing with Oxidation. Without a clear shell to shield it, the sun and rain bake the surface until the oils evaporate, leaving behind a "chalky fade." Tartan Red is the worst offender; neglect it for a decade, and it'll turn into a dusty shade of pink that looks more like a sunburned tourist than a sports car.

Restoration Tip

The secret to a 1963 restoration isn't in the spray-it's in the prep. You can't just spray over old, tired Austin paint and expect it to stick; you have to "cut" through the dead oxidation first to find the stable color underneath. Once you've laid down your fresh solvent-based layers, remember the old-school law: It needs wax or it dies. Without a clear coat, your new finish is technically "open" to the air. Keep it sealed with a high-quality wax at least twice a year to lock the oxygen out and keep that Maltese White from turning yellow. Build your layers slowly, buff them with respect, and the shine will last another sixty years.