1972 Chrysler Touch Up Paint (16 OEM Colors)

The 1972 Chrysler Vibe

Welcome to the era of the "Fuselage." In 1972, Chrysler wasn't just building cars; they were building land-bound yachts like the New Yorker Brougham and the Newport. These things were massive, aerodynamic in a "lead sled" sort of way, and draped in a color palette that was slowly trading the neon screams of the '60s for the earthy, sophisticated tones of the early '70s. We've cataloged 16 distinct shades from this year-a real smorgasbord of the era. Whether you're rocking the deep, forest-heavy Sherwood Green Poly, the regal Tawney Gold Poly, or the crisp Spinnaker White, you're looking at a car that was designed to be seen from three blocks away and felt in the suspension from two.

Paint Health Check

Now, listen close: you're working with the Single Stage Era. In '72, Chrysler was laying down acrylic enamels and lacquers where the pigment and the protection were one and the same. There's no clear coat "shield" standing between your Amber Sherwood Poly and the sun. Because this paint is porous, it's prone to "Oxidation"-that chalky, white, hazy fade that makes your hood look like a school chalkboard. If your Evening Blue Poly looks duller than a Sunday afternoon in the suburbs, it's not dead; it's just thirsty. The aluminum flakes in those "Poly" (metallic) colors are particularly sensitive; once they oxidize, they lose their sparkle and start looking like grey silt.

Restoration Tip

Here is the golden rule for 1972 iron: It needs wax or it dies. Because your color is right there on the surface, every time you buff an original panel, you're going to see your pad turn the color of the car. Don't panic-that's just you peeling back the dead layers to find the shine underneath. If you're doing a touch-up with our solvent-based formula, build your layers slowly to match the depth of that old-school enamel. Once you've leveled it off, seal it immediately with a high-quality carnauba wax or a sealant. Without that barrier, the air will start eating your hard work the second you pull out of the garage. Keep it greased, keep it waxed, and that Sun Fire Yellow will stay bright enough to require sunglasses.