1963 Cadillac Touch Up Paint (17 OEM Colors)

The 1963 Cadillac Vibe

In 1963, if you were sliding behind the wheel of a Fleetwood or a Coupe de Ville, you weren't just driving a car-you were piloting a land-yacht with more presence than a lunar landing. This was the year Cadillac decided that "enough" colors wasn't a concept they recognized. We're talking about a massive 17-color palette that defined the jet-age aesthetic. From the martini-garnish glow of Basildo Green Poly to the "I've clearly made it" elegance of Briar Rose Poly and Royal Maroon Poly, Cadillac didn't just offer paint; they offered a lifestyle. These cars were coated in "Magic-Mirror" acrylic lacquer, a finish designed to look a mile deep under the neon lights of the Vegas strip.

Paint Health Check

Here is the cold, hard truth: we are firmly in the Single Stage Era. Back then, they didn't bury the color under a plastic-wrap layer of clear coat. That means your Turino Turquoise Poly or Bahama Sand has been fighting a losing battle against oxygen for sixty years. When you look at your hood and see that dull, "chalky" film, that's not dirt-that's your paint literally turning into a powder. Lacquer is thick and brittle; it doesn't peel like a modern bumper, it "crazes" or develops tiny spider-web cracks as the solvents finally give up the ghost. If your Ebony or Olympic White looks like a chalkboard, the finish is "thirsty" and dying for a rescue.

Restoration Tip

If you're touching up a chip or respraying a panel, remember: this paint is porous. Before you even think about applying fresh pigment, you have to strip away that oxidized "dead" layer of paint or your new coat will be sticking to dust, not steel. And here is the Golden Rule for 1963 iron: It needs wax or it dies. Without a Clear Coat to hide behind, that single-stage lacquer relies entirely on a high-quality carnauba or sealant to keep the moisture out and the "Poly" metallic flakes from rusting. Buff it, seal it, and keep it under a cover, or the sun will turn your Cadillac into a giant, expensive piece of sidewalk chalk.