Finding The Original Paint For Your 87 Chevy Nova

If you're looking to restore your 1987 Chevy Nova to its original glory, finding the right paint is essential. Chevy paint codes can be tricky to locate, but they're usually in the glove box, spare tire well, or under the hood on the cowl tag. These codes are crucial for ordering the correct paint, as Chevrolet uses the same colour across multiple models, giving each a unique name. For example, the code 316N could be called Gold Mist Metallic Clearcoat, Gold Clearcoat, or Inca Metallic Clearcoat. Later Chevrolet colours can be confusing, with some colours having up to 8 different codes. To further complicate matters, the colour displayed on a computer or phone screen may not be an exact match to the paint received. Therefore, it's always best to verify your Chevrolet colour code before placing an order.

Look for the SPID sticker in the glovebox

If you are looking to find the original paint colour of your 1987 Chevy Nova, one of the first things you can do is check the SPID sticker in the glovebox. SPID stands for Service Parts Identification, and the sticker will list your Chevy paint code. The paint code will be a series of letters and numbers, and it is important to order the correct paint. For example, 316N could be called Gold Mist Metallic Clearcoat, Gold Clearcoat, or Inca Metallic Clearcoat, depending on the manufacturer.

The SPID sticker in the glovebox will also show the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and other specifications of the truck. If your SPID sticker is missing, you can order a custom SPID label online. You can also try looking in the spare tire well for the sticker. If you cannot find the SPID sticker, you can send your VIN to the GM Heritage Center, and they can pull your original invoice, which would include original option content.

Refer to the RPO code and noun name

To find the original paint for an 87 Chevy Nova, you can refer to the RPO (Regular Production Option) code and noun name. RPO codes are a standard coding system used by General Motors to identify specific vehicle options or modifications, such as paint colours. Each RPO code consists of three alphanumeric characters, like "Z71".

You can locate the RPO code by finding the Service Parts Identification (SPID) sticker, which is often located in the glove compartment, trunk, or spare tire well. The SPID sticker may include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), RPO codes, and other information about the vehicle's configuration.

In some cases, the paint code may start with the letters "U" or "WA". For example, the RPO code "90U" corresponds to the colour Gray Steel Metallic, which equates to the paint code WA9191.

It's worth noting that Chevrolet, like other manufacturers, often uses the same colour across multiple models but assigns a different name to each. Therefore, it's essential to refer to both the colour code and its corresponding noun name to ensure you find the correct original paint for your 87 Chevy Nova.

If you cannot locate the SPID sticker, you can send your VIN to the GM Heritage Center, along with a $50 fee, to obtain your original invoice. This invoice will include detailed information about your vehicle, including its original paint code.

Check the cowl tag under the hood

If you're looking to find the original paint for your 1987 Chevy Nova, one of the first things you can do is check the cowl tag under the hood. The cowl tag is a metal tag that contains important information about the vehicle, including some details that can help you identify the original paint colour.

Now, locating the cowl tag on a Chevy Nova can be a bit tricky, as the placement has changed over the years. For 1967 to 1969 models, the cowl tag is located on the firewall next to the brake booster. From 1970 to 1981, you'll find it facing up on the cowl panel as you open the hood, near the windshield on the driver's side. For 1982 to 1985 models, the cowl tag can be found under the hood on the radiator cross support.

It's important to note that the cowl tag may not provide the exact paint code, but it can give you valuable information about the trim and body style of your Nova. This information can then be used to narrow down the possible paint colours for your specific model. Additionally, the cowl tag can provide insights into the assembly plant and production sequence, which can also be helpful in identifying the original paint.

When reading the cowl tag, it's important to interpret the information correctly. The tags should be read from left to right, top to bottom. The first character typically represents the division, with "1" indicating Chevrolet. The body style code may also be included, with \"87\" representing a two-door coupe. Additionally, the assembly plant code can be identified, which changed from three characters to one character in 1973.

It's worth mentioning that there have been reports of discrepancies between the cowl tag and the actual specifications of the vehicle, especially regarding the engine. In such cases, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) takes precedence over the cowl tag. The VIN provides a unique and legal definition of the car and includes details such as the manufacturer, vehicle type, model year, assembly plant, and production number.

Understand Chevy's two-tone colour codes

Chevrolet, like other car manufacturers, uses the same colour across many models but assigns a different name to each model. This is why the colour code is important when ordering the correct paint. For example, 316N may be called Gold Mist Metallic Clearcoat, Gold Clearcoat, or Inca Metallic Clearcoat.

Chevrolet has many two-tone combinations for some cars, which means that two different colours are used on the car. If your car has two colours, you will see the two-tone colour code. The two-tone colour code is usually preceded by BC/CC. For example, the colour code could be BC/CC 51 or BC/CC 316N. There can be eighteen different code 51s, so the 316N is needed to identify the colour.

These codes can be preceded by a U or an L, which correspond to the Upper and Lower colour, respectively. For example, U or L 316N.

For Tri Five Chevy cars from 1955 to 1957, each original paint code can be found on the trim tag, which is attached to the right side of the vehicle's cowl panel under the hood. The paint code is a three-digit number, but in 1956 and 1957, these numbers are sometimes followed by a letter. The letter A stood for a solid colour, and B, C, D, or E stood for a two-tone paint scheme. For example, 812 indicated Surf Green/Highland Green, and the letter C indicated that these colours were applied to the body panels as a two-tone.

For newer models, the Chevy paint code is located on the Service Parts Identification (SPID) sticker, which can usually be found in the glove box or the spare tire well.

Verify the colour code before ordering paint

It is important to verify the colour code of your 1987 Chevy Nova before ordering paint to ensure an exact match. Paint codes for Chevy vehicles can be tricky to locate, but they are often found in the glove box, on the SPID sticker, or on the Service Parts Identification sticker.

The colour code will start with either a 'U' or 'WA', and will be followed by a series of numbers and/or letters. For example, the code '90U' indicates the colour Gray Steel Metallic, which equates to 'WA9191'. The ''U' in the paint code refers to the Upper Colour, while the 'L' refers to the Lower Colour for two-tone vehicles.

There can be multiple colour codes for the same colour, which can be confusing. For instance, the colour Son Of A Gun Gray has eight different colour codes, including WA139X, WA481B, and WA482B. Additionally, Chevrolet, like other manufacturers, may use the same colour across multiple models but give it a different name for each. This is why it is crucial to order paint based on the colour code rather than the colour name or how it appears on a computer or phone screen, as colours may vary.

To further complicate matters, some Chevy colour codes are preceded by 'BC/CC', which stands for Basecoat/Clearcoat. So, a colour code may look like 'BC/CC 51' or 'BC/CC 316N'. In this case, the 316N is the specific colour code, as there can be multiple colours with the same code number.

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