Chrysler Paint Jobs & Body Kits - Hip Colors

The year 1968 was a big year for the artwork of Peter Max and the psychedelic, celluloid adventure known as Yellow Submarine. No doubt about it, the late '60s were a happening era for wild hues. Like the other car companies, Chrysler was trying to keep in step with the times, so it offered the first of its legendary High Impact Paint colors during the '69 model year. The sobriquets were memorable, the colors retina-searing, and their legacy long lasting as some HIP colors significantly add to the desirability/price of muscle Mopars.

Controversy
The Fact: Code F6, Bright Green Metallic for Dodge A- and B-Bodies was first mentioned in TSB D69-23-9, dated November 27, 1968. Some sources claimed that Code 97 Rallye Green is also F6 Bright Green Metallic, but the PPG/Ditzler paint numbers are different: 2103 (F6-Bright Green Metallic) and 44032 (97-Rallye Green). The numbers from Ditzler prove that Rallye Green and Bright Green Metallic were different. Additionally, a Chrysler-issued bulletin dated January 22, 1969, listed Ditzler #43898-Rallye Green for '69 Plymouth B-Bodies (Code 99). This is the same number as the catalogued '68 Chevrolet color of Rallye Green Metallic!

As it turns out, through 1968 Ditzler used a five-digit number to identify paint colors. Typically, Ditzler used the numeral "4" as a prefix for green hues. Beginning in 1969, Ditzler went to a four-digit numbering system; however, some five-digit catalog numbers were carried over. The catalog number "2103"-for F6 Bright Green Metallic-was issued during the '69 model year-and no sooner-for '69 Dodge A- and B-Bodies. The code "44032"-Code 97 Rallye Green-was the highest five digit number Ditzler issued for passenger car applications. It was assigned to give Chrysler a specific factory application number in the Ditzler paint books. Ditzler code "43898" is currently catalogued for '68-'69 Chevrolets only.

The actual formula used to create Rallye Green for Plymouth in 1969 was the same formula used for the 1968 Chevrolet-Rallye Green Metallic.

This was not the only time a Chrysler product wore General Motors paint-the '70 Chrysler 300-Hurst's Sauterne Gold Iridescent accents were taken from the '70 Cadillac palette.

What's Next
Hemi Orange (V2) and Bahama Yellow (96) followed in Dodge TSB D69-23-20. Bahama Yellow was originally meant for the "Super Bee Six Pack only." For Plymouth B-Bodies, Vitamin C Orange (K2) replaced Omaha Orange (999) on approximately February 1, 1969, as stated in TSB 69-23-18 of April 7, 1969. Depending on the circumstances, these '69 colors would be identified on the data plates as special order code 99. For example, Bahama Yellow was first catalogued for Plymouth B-Bodies in a bulletin dated January 22, 1969.

The Next Decade
High Impact Paint colors were catalogued for factory availability at the start of the model year for the first time in 1970. Dodge Technical Service Bulletin D70-23-6, dated April 1, 1970, stated that "Green Go and Panther Pink" had "been released." Using the Dodge nomenclature, there was Plum Crazy Metallic (FC7), Sublime (FJ5), Go Mango (EK2), Hemi Orange (EV2), Top Banana, and Panther Pink (FM3). Availability included A-, B-, and E-Bodies. The cost was $14.05 (Dodge and Plymouth), and could be included in a two-tone combination. Interestingly, HIP colors were offered on all body styles, including station wagons and 4-door sedans. Do you know of any out there? Two-tones excluded wagons and convertibles.

One Year Gone
The last big year for HIP colors was 1971. For the first time, C-Bodies had catalogued availability: Plymouth (Tor-Red), Dodge (Citronyella), and Chrysler (Lemon Twist). In 1971, Lemon Twist was supposed to be meant only for Chryslers, so it would be interesting to hear from readers with any other Plymouth or Dodge '71 Mopars painted Lemon Twist.

The cost was $13.85 for A- and E-Bodies, $15.05 for all B-Bodies, as well as Dodge and Plymouth C-Bodies. The price tag for HIP colors was $15.20 for Chryslers.

Using the Chrysler-Plymouth names, the line-up consisted of In Violet Metallic (FC7), Sassy Grass Green (FJ6), Bahama Yellow (EL5), Tor-Red (EV2), Lemon Twist (FY1), and Curious Yellow (GY3). Lime Light (FJ5), Vitamin C Orange (EK2), and Moulon Rouge (FM3) were all dropped after 1 year, 111/42 years, and 11/42 year after introduction, respectively.

Less HP, Less Color
1972 saw the palette of colors reduced to two: EV2 Hemi Orange/Tor-Red and FY1 Top Banana/Lemon Twist. The fad for HIP colors was quickly fading. The onslaught of emissions/safety regulations and high insurance premiums was putting a big hurt on the muscle car movement and all of its ancillaries-including colors.

By 1973, the list was down to FY1-Top Banana/Lemon Twist, and availability consisted of Dodge and Plymouth A-, B-, and E-Bodies, as was the case in 1972.

HIP colors were not catalogued after 1973. A known exception was '74 Dodge trucks, which offered Bahama Yellow. If there are any Dodge trucks factory painted in any HIP color, then please write!

Are You Man Enough?
All '69-'73 Mopars with High Impact Paint are both unusual and collectible. However, Code FM3 Panther Pink/Moulon Rouge is especially prized for its limited availability and glow in the dark attributes. One of the reasons I purchased a '71 Road Runner was because of its FC7 In Violet paint job. Once again, if you know of any factory original Mopars other than A-, B-, or E-Bodies, you gotta let us know. Those would include Imperials.

Names From Big Brother and The Great White NorthSome of the Canadian names for the HIP colors were different from their U.S. counterparts. For example, the code FC7 was Ultra Violet for Canada. FJ5 was dubbed Lime Green. Additionally, some also received corporate names such as code FJ6 was named Brite Yellow Green, FM3-Penta-Magenta, Ceramic Red, Purple Metallic for EV7, and Super Yellow for FY1, which was both a Canadian name and a corporate name.

Vote For Color Changes
From the "Did you know?" department: DaimlerChrysler currently has a toll-free hotline setup for paint color requests for Dodge passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Phone in your favorites at 1-800-992-1997.

Have You Got HIP Info?
Please send the appropriate paperwork to:Karl Pippart III
Dept. HIP Colors
23 Pueblo Road, New Britain, PA 18901-5144.

In a future "The Final Word" column, we will tally up the results of HIP colors to car/truck lines for '69-74. As always, no VINs will ever be released. Thank you very much for your help !

Sources:
Paint chip charts salesmen's pocket price guides, and technical service bulletins from the CARS archives; Mopar Muscle, June 1998, page 80; Art Davidson, Dept. MPRM, 3861 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43214, (614) 451-4690 or (800) OLD-CHIP; American Automobile Paint Code Interchange Manual: 1945-1995 by Peter C. Sessler, Motorbooks International, 1995.