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What color am I?

3601 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  thaibasil


I am the original owner of my 2005 Elise, bought at Criswell in June of that year. When I bought it, the sales dude told me it was Magnetic Blue. Sounded reasonable, since it is blue. However, over the years, when I see other pictures of an Elise, it appears to look more like Laser Blue. My sense of color is not the greatest, so my daughter and I sat down this weekend and reviewed the color chart with the car. She says it is closer to Laser Blue than Magnetic.

I searched around the house, but can no longer find the window sticker, it is hiding somewhere... So, I go out and actually look at the paint code, and surprise, it says B86, which is listed as British Racing Green. The car has NOT been repainted, I have enough chips off the front to prove that.

I also don't remember paying a premium for the Lifestyle paint, but who can remember that from 9 years ago...

So, what color is my Elise?
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Looks like Laser Blue to me
Agreed, magnetic blue is more purple, nightfall blue is more dark, looks a lot like laser blue (which is almost a chrome blue)


Here is another picture with my brother and son right after I bought it in 2005. So, if it is Laser Blue, why does the paint code say B86 (BRG)? Typical Lotus quality control?
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looks more Laser than Magnetic.
You know... the dealer could have replaced the clam shells when the original British Racing Green ones got damaged.
The paint code on that sill sticker is pretty reliable.

Mine is Aspen White, which looks pretty in direct sunlight. It's based on Monaco White with a tinted clear coat, although I was never able to find out what color that clear coat is tinted in.
You have laser blue. Because I have magnetic blue.

More info here

http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/information/misc/pdf/colors2996.pdf

If you want to get provenance from Lotus directly and find out little stats about your color: http://www.lotuscars.com/gb/ownership/certificate-provenance
Yeah, order the certificate of provenance and see what it says!
The paint code on that sill sticker is pretty reliable.
I am not so sure about that, as I have found a couple other messages from folks who report that the code does not match. Also find it hard to believe that the dealer would swap every panel on the car, but I have heard stranger stories. I am trying to follow up with Lotus, will see what they say.
The paint code on that sill sticker is pretty reliable.
I spoke with gjsmith about it already but mine is the exact opposite. I have a 05 LRG and the paint code is marked as B85 which is Laser Blue when it should be B86.

We checked VINs, ours are pretty far apart.
Just received this from Lotus in England. Mystery semi-solved, but clearly the paint code on the sticker should not be taken as gospel. Thanks for everyones input.

Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately as the car was built 9 years ago, why the error occurred will remain a mystery, all I can imagine is someone slipped the finger and hit B86 instead of B85. The build records show your car was Laser Blue, code B85.
and all of a sudden, your car has even more character ;)
i wonder if gjsmith and razkaz have sequential vin#'s...that would explain a lot! nvm i just read that raz already checked....

I see a sticker trade coming to fruition...if it comes off easily that is
looks more Laser than Magnetic.
You know... the dealer could have replaced the clam shells when the original British Racing Green ones got damaged.
The paint code on that sill sticker is pretty reliable.

Mine is Aspen White, which looks pretty in direct sunlight. It's based on Monaco White with a tinted clear coat, although I was never able to find out what color that clear coat is tinted in.
I think aspen white has a gold flake tint, like chili red.
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