Lena Rivera
From 1977 to 1982, Chevy small-block engines were painted corporate blue. The switch from Chevy Orange to blue was due to a lawsuit filed by a customer who found a Chevy orange 350 engine in his new Oldsmobile in 1977. The exact shade of blue is debated, with some saying it was a light blue and others claiming it was more of a teal colour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of change | 1977 |
| Previous colour | Chevy Orange |
| New colour | Corporate Blue |
| Year of next colour change | 1982/1983 |
| Next colour | Black |
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What You'll Learn
Chevy engines changed from orange to blue in 1977
The year 1977 marked a significant shift for Chevy engines, as it was when they transitioned from the iconic "Chevy Orange" to the "Corporate Blue" hue. This change came about due to a lawsuit involving the presence of orange Chevrolet engines in 1977 Oldsmobiles. The transition to blue engines was part of General Motors' (GM) move towards "corporate engines", signalling a shift away from distinct engine divisions for Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, and other brands under the GM umbrella.
Prior to 1977, Chevy engines boasted a range of vibrant colours. From 1955 to 1956, Chevy engines were painted orange, followed by a brief foray into red in 1956, and then yellow in the early part of 1957. From 1957 until 1976, Chevy returned to orange engines, with some variations in colour due to different paint batches. This era of orange engines, however, came to an end with the 1977 lawsuit.
The introduction of "Corporate Blue" engines in 1977 was a notable change, and it remained the standard colour for GM engines until 1982, when engines became black. However, it's worth noting that some Chevy enthusiasts dispute the exact shade of blue, with some claiming it as a traditional Chevy blue, while others describe it as a more teal-toned GM corporate blue. This variation in colour perception may be due to the ageing process, as the original blue paint may have faded or altered over time.
While the exact year of transition from orange to blue engines is generally agreed upon as 1977, there are some discrepancies in specific engine models and production years. Some sources indicate that certain 1978 Chevy engines were still orange, suggesting a gradual phase-out of the orange engines. Additionally, there are mentions of forest green and red/orange engines in 1976 Camaros, adding further complexity to the colour timeline of Chevy engines.
In conclusion, 1977 was a pivotal year for Chevy engines, as it marked the transition from the vibrant orange of the previous decade to the more subdued "Corporate Blue". This change was driven by a lawsuit and the evolving brand strategies of General Motors, signalling the end of distinct engine divisions and the beginning of standardised colours across their vehicle lineup.
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The change was due to a lawsuit over orange engines in 1977 Oldsmobiles
In 1977, GM was the target of about 250 lawsuits from state and private litigants after it was discovered that the company had put Chevrolet engines in Oldsmobile, Buick, and Pontiac vehicles. The scandal, which came to be known as "Chevymobile", was sparked by Chicago resident Joseph Siwek, who discovered that his new 1977 Oldsmobile contained a Chevrolet engine instead of the expected Oldsmobile Rocket V-8. Siwek filed a lawsuit against GM for false advertising, arguing that he had been deceived and defrauded, especially since Oldsmobile was charging more than Chevrolet for the same engine option.
The scandal was exacerbated by the fact that GM had omitted any mention of the engine information in the 1977 Olds brochure, making it appear as though they were deliberately trying to hide the Chevrolet engine. This led to accusations of false advertising and claims that GM was attempting to remove the identity of divisional engines by painting them all in "corporate blue". The change from "Chevy Orange" to "Corporate Blue" in 1977 was thus part of a broader shift towards a corporate engine policy, marking the first step in removing the distinct identities of divisional engines.
While some argued that there was no difference in quality or performance between the Chevrolet and Oldsmobile engines, loyal Oldsmobile buyers specifically wanted the Rocket V8 and felt deceived when they discovered the Chevrolet engine in their vehicles. The scandal resulted in a settlement, with GM offering around 75,000 Chevymobile owners $200 in cash each, as well as a transferable three-year or 36,000-mile warranty.
The exact shade of blue used by GM during this period has been a subject of debate among car enthusiasts, with some arguing for a traditional "Chevy Blue" and others suggesting a more teal-looking "GM Corporate Blue".
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Chevy 305 engines were also painted blue
The year 1977 marked a transition for Chevy, as it was the first year that they introduced blue engine paint. Prior to this, from 1957 to 1976, Chevy V8 engines were painted orange. However, there is some variation within the 1977 model year, as earlier productions of that year may have retained the orange colour. This variation has been observed in a '77 Nova listed on eBay, which featured an orange 305 engine.
From 1977 to 1982, GM engines were painted corporate blue. Specifically, the years 1977, 1978, 1980, 1979, and possibly 1981 or 1982 for some models, saw Chevy 305 engines painted blue. 1982 was the final year for blue engines, and by 1983, Chevy had switched to black engines.
It's worth noting that the blues used by different GM brands during the late 1970s were not identical. While GM engine blue was universal, brands like Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, Cadillac, and Buick each had distinct shades of blue. This means that even if two engines were the same shade of blue, they would not be exactly the same colour unless they were from the same brand.
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The blue colour varied across Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, Cadillac, and Buick
From 1977 to 1982, most General Motors (GM) engines were painted a "corporate" blue. This change was due to a lawsuit filed by a customer who found a Chevy orange 350 engine in his new Oldsmobile. The blue colour of the engines varied across Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, Cadillac, and Buick.
Chevy's engines were painted a light blue, which some have described as having a teal tint. This is different from the "Chevy Blue Flame" engines of the 1950s, which were a darker blue.
Pontiac engines were painted a distinct blue, which was different from the other brands.
Oldsmobile, or Olds, engines were at the centre of the 1977 lawsuit, which was caused by the presence of an Oldsmobile engine in a Chevy car.
Cadillac was the only GM division that never shared its OHV V8 engines with other divisions. However, they did borrow V8 engines from other GM divisions, including Oldsmobile and Chevrolet, starting in 1976.
Buick V8 engines were also shared with other GM divisions, including Cadillac. They were described as having a "zippy" feel.
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The last year for blue engines was 1982
Chevy small block engines were painted blue from 1977 until 1982. The blue engines were referred to as "corporate blue" and were a result of a lawsuit regarding the use of orange Chevrolet engines in 1977 Oldsmobiles. The exact shade of blue has been debated, with some claiming it was a teal GM corporate blue, while others argue for a lighter "Chevy blue".
The switch to blue engines in 1977 marked a significant change from the previous years' colours, which included orange, red, and yellow. The specific shade of blue varied across different Chevy models, with some engines leaning more towards a teal hue, while others retained a lighter blue shade associated with the traditional Chevy blue.
The year 1982 marked the final year of the blue engines, as Chevy transitioned to black engines in 1983. This shift in colour once again created a unified look across GM vehicles, solidifying the company's presence in the automotive market.
While the exact reasons for the colour changes are not entirely clear, it is known that in the late 1970s, separate motor divisions for Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, and other GM brands were being phased out. This transition may have influenced the decision to adopt a standardised "corporate" engine colour across all GM vehicles, including Chevy.
The colour of an engine may seem like a minor detail, but it can hold significant importance for car enthusiasts and collectors. The Chevy small block engines, with their distinct blue hue, have become a recognisable feature for automotive enthusiasts, contributing to the rich history and variation in Chevy's vehicle designs.
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Frequently asked questions
Chevy small block engines were painted blue from 1977 to 1982.
They were previously painted orange.
The engines were changed to black in 1983.
This was due to a lawsuit regarding the use of orange Chevrolet engines in 1977 Oldsmobiles.
No, there were different shades of blue for different models.
