Colour

[SpecialTool]

Does the paintwork on a bright red '97 have a clear coat or is it just a solid colour?

(And am I crazy to be looking at one of these?)

[Shazam]

Should have clear coat. Clear coat has been pretty typical for cars since the '80's. I would assume that bright red would be no different.

No, not crazy.

[Brad Lauzze]

If it is "Imola Red", it is actually a single stage non-clear coated paint. Saab loved to use these up until 2000/2001 (Imola Red, Monte Carlo Yellow and Cirrus White.) Actually, even my Polar White '04 is not clear coated.

[Shazam]

No clear coat? Why? I can't see enough benefits to a non-clear coat.

[Brad Lauzze]

Well, from the perspective of someone who owns two non-clear coat Saabs (MCY and Polar White) it's a lot more forgiving and a lot lower maintenance in my opinion. As long as you stay on top of waxing, they're great.

[Shazam]

From a manufacturing stand point, the cost is higher (for the paint itself) and the man hours is also higher. Also, most repair work is harder has you can't "buff" things out without going into the paint itself. Can be a trouble when you car get's to be sun faded.

I think a non-clear coat does look better though for solid colors.

[Brad Lauzze]

From a manufacturing stand point, the cost is higher (for the paint itself) and the man hours is also higher. Also, most repair work is harder has you can't "buff" things out without going into the paint itself. Can be a trouble when you car get's to be sun faded.

I think a non-clear coat does look better though for solid colors.

From what I've experienced, any blemishes can be buffed out or touched up easy if you know what you are doing. But I do agree with you about manufacturing costs. Another contributing factor to why the company never made any money perhaps?