1978 BMC Touch Up Paint (8 OEM Colors)

The 1978 BMC Vibe

Welcome to 1978, the year British Leyland was trying to keep the wheels on the wagon while the rest of the world was turning up the disco. Whether you were piloting an MGB through a London fog or trying to make a Rover SD1 look respectable in the driveway, the color palette was pure "Bold late-70s." We've preserved the survivors in our database-eight heavy hitters that defined the era. We're talking about the punchy Pageant Blue, the iconic Tahiti Blue, and of course, Snapdragon-a yellow so bright it could distract you from a leaky head gasket. These weren't just colors; they were a brave face for a decade of automotive transition.

Paint Health Check

In '78, we were firmly in the Single Stage Era. This means your Leyland White or Tara Green Metallic isn't hiding under a protective plastic shield of clear coat. The gloss and the pigment are one and the same, mixed together in a chemical marriage that's been fighting the sun for over four decades. The biggest threat to your BMC's skin isn't just the British weather-it's Oxidation. If your Green Metallic looks more like a chalkboard than a mirror, that's the paint "chalking" as the binders break down. Once it goes dull, it's literally dying on the vine.

Restoration Tip

Because this is single stage paint, you've actually got a fighting chance to bring it back from the grave without a full respray. When you see that chalky fade, you're looking at dead pigment sitting on the surface. My advice? You've got to "shave" that dead layer off with a fine polishing compound to reveal the fresh color underneath. But listen closely: It needs wax or it dies. Once you've polished it back to a shine, that raw paint is porous and defenseless. Seal it with a high-quality carnauba or sealant immediately, or you'll be back to Pageant Grey within six months.