1979 Ferrari Touch Up Paint (4 OEM Colors)

The 1979 Ferrari Vibe

1979 was the year Ferrari really leaned into the "wedge" revolution. Whether you were staring down a 308 GTS or lucky enough to hear the flat-12 scream of a 512 Berlinetta Boxer, the look was all about sharp lines and high-drama finishes. We've focused our database on the true survivors from this era, including the heavy hitters like Corsa Rossa, Giallo Fly Yellow, Grigio Metallic, and the lighter Rosso Chiaro. Back then, Ferrari wasn't worried about variety; they were worried about looking fast while standing still, and nothing did that better than a fresh coat of Italian red.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the peak of the Single Stage Era. In '79, "clear coat" was something other manufacturers were just starting to mess with on metallics, but your solid reds and yellows were sprayed as a single, thick layer of pigment and binder. The problem? Maranello wasn't exactly known for rust-proofing in the late 70s-they were known for leaving body shells outside to "season" in the Italian rain before the paint even hit the metal. If your paint looks chalky or your Rosso Corsa has turned a depressing shade of "Corsa Pink," that's heavy oxidation. The paint is literally breathing, and the oxygen is winning.

Restoration Tip

Here is the rule for '79: It needs wax or it dies. Because these are single-stage finishes, you aren't just cleaning the surface; you're maintaining a living chemical layer. If you've got oxidation, you can often buff it back to a mirror shine because there's no clear coat to delaminate or peel-you're just leveling the pigment. But once you bring that shine back, you have to seal it immediately. Use a high-quality sealant or carnauba to keep the air off the pigment. Also, keep a sharp eye on the wheel arches and lower door skins; if you see a bubble, it's not a paint defect, it's the Italian steel trying to return to the earth. Fix it now, or you'll be chasing pinholes for a decade.