Original Color?

[69Z28-RS]

What does being restored mean?   : to give back (someone or something that was lost or taken) : to return (someone or something) : to put or bring (something) back into existence or use. : to return (something) to an earlier or original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.

No one that has disagreed with the definition of 'Restored' being to 'Restore to factory original condition' has offered an alternative 'condition it was restored to', nor any references.   The definition I provided 'restored to factory original condition' was based on having judged 'original restored' classes in 3 different organizations, at regional, national, and international levels.

Here is a reference to a Hemmings article defining differences between 'Restoration' and 'Refurbishment'.
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/restoration-vs-refurbishment/

Hemmings states that:    In simple terms, a restored car is an automobile that has been rebuilt exactly the way its manufacturer first assembled it at the factory. ... Rebuilding a car's mechanical systems, be it the engine, transmission or suspension, doesn't mean that car has been restored either.

If you are one that believes 'your opinion' of what Restoration means is important, then read the above reference to learn of possible legal complications of such an opinion.

[ZLP955]

Getting picky. I'm out.

[cook_dw]

No shit.  Remember this is suppose to be a hobby and fun.  Opinions are like b-holes and most of them stink.

[KurtS]

Gotta agree. Switch off the lecture mode Gary. Posting more = yelling louder doesn't make you righter.

[HOT3O2]

With that definition I would say that there wouldn’t be any car that could clam “Restored”.  There is no car out there Rebuild “Exactly” the way it’s manufacturer first assembled it at the factory.

[crossboss]

Boys,
My worthless two cents…
As they say "Its original only once". That said, any collector car re-pained back to its original color is worth more. Lastly, I do agree, if the color change is very nice and to your liking, buy it and have fun!

[HOT3O2]

What about a car that was a “Special Paint” (- -)? Would a color change affect it’s value?

[KurtS]

Some people think that it gives them license to go with any color.
I think you gotta go with the original color. Generally, I wouldn't buy a special paint that someone changed the color. But all you need to do is find one person..... Might be hard for them to resell it.

[rare396bronze]

I have a -1 stripe delete car that was a factory corvette bronze Camaro. Everybody wanted me to change the car to black. I put it back corvette bronze and glad I did. Not a fan off color changes.

[Fred Mertz]

Had my 69 been the original color in '05 I would not have bought.  The original color was Burnished Brown w/white stripes and white interior. When I bought it in '05 it had been painted white w/black stripes, with black interior.  December '19 it became Lemans Blue w/ white stripes and back to white interior. I pulled the original motor and set it aside, replacing it with a GMPP 383/425hp crate motor.  I think I'm done for while.

[cook_dw]

Burnish Brown and white guts would have been a pretty combo.

[x66 714]

Burnish Brown and white guts would have been a pretty combo.

What he said. I would love to own a Burnish brown Camaro....Joe

[x77-69z28]

My Burnished Brown car was Daytona Yellow when I bought it in ‘78. It was a nice paint job, but I just couldn’t get past the fact the the color was changed. BB was NoT a popular thing in The late 70’s. It was a lot of work, but glad I put it back to orig. I get a lot of comments when it comes out.

[KurtS]

I get a lot of comments when it comes out.

And some of that is because it's not another red or black Camaro.

[lynnbilodeau]

Frankly, one of the reasons I enjoy coming here to discuss all things first gen is that the threads rarely take ugly turns, as this one did.

Defining "restored" has little to do with the OP's question.  It is a valid topic of conversation; just not for this thread.

The OP asked a simple question:  does the color change affect value?

Yes it does.   Different amounts to different people, but the color change will automatically preclude a certain percentage of potential buyers of a "numbers" car.  I  went through this a while back helping a friend sell his original drivetrain Z/28 that went from FG with DG interior to Dusk Blue with black interior.   He still got a very good price for it, but a lot of guys were not even interested once they learned of the color change.

If the seller is willing to wait for that buyer who does not care about the color change, he or she will likely get ALMOST as much as if it were an original color.

At least the OP was advised to get the thing checked out.  I would go one further:  post clear pics of the tag, and all the stampings.   If they are obviously bogus, then the OP saves a boat load of money on the personal inspection by Jerry M.   If they look good, then go for the full inspection.  One can't be too careful.  I would guess about 1/2 of the 69 Z/28s advertised, are not what they are represented to be.