1965 Citroen Touch Up Paint (48 OEM Colors)

The 1965 Citroen Vibe

Welcome to 1965, the era when a Citroen wasn't just a car-it was a spaceship landing on a French country road. Whether you were floating along on hydropneumatic suspension in the legendary DS "Goddess" or bouncing through a vineyard in a 2CV, you were doing it with serious style. Our database for this year is a deep dive into mid-century French sophistication, boasting 48 distinct shades. From the moody, deep tones of Bleu Petrel and Anthracite to the sunny optimism of Jaune Helianthe and Calabrian Yellow, Citroen wasn't afraid to let their palette be as avant-garde as their engineering.

Paint Health Check

We are firmly in the Single Stage Era here. Back in '65, the factory wasn't messing around with clear coats; they just laid down thick, pigment-rich layers of enamel or lacquer that were meant to be part of the car's soul. But here is the "Salty Painter" reality: oxygen is the enemy. Over the decades, that deep Monte Carlo Blue or Vert Tuileries hasn't just dirty-it's oxidized. If your Citroen looks "chalky" or has a matte, hazy finish that doesn't wash off, that's the paint literally gasping for air as the UV rays break down the surface. It's not dead yet, but it's definitely on the ropes.

Restoration Tip

Because this is 1960s single-stage paint, you've actually got a lot of "meat" on the bone to work with. Unlike modern thin factory finishes, you can usually buff a 1965 Citroen back to a mirror shine-but you have to seal it. It needs wax or it dies. Once you've polished away that chalky oxidation to reveal the true Rouge Soleil or Orient Blue underneath, you must apply a high-quality carnauba wax or a period-correct sealant immediately. Without that barrier, the porous single-stage paint will start oxidizing again before the weekend is over. Treat it like a fine French wine: keep the air out, and it'll stay beautiful forever.