Atlas Fuel Tank Cherry Red Color

texasSlick

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I think I have finally nailed down the code for the red color used on early Norton Atlas fuel tanks. It is available from PPG as code 0227, AMP, BS - Monaco Red
I do not have an original painted specimen to compare, but from memory (very subjective I admit) it is spot on.

I have ruled out Norton Cardinal Red (too purple), PPG Code 71243 (basic red & explained below), and Signal Red (not enough orange).

Atlas Fuel Tank Cherry Red Color


The NOC colors page lists nothing for Atlas red, but lists best match for 'Norton Red' as Ford Monaco Red, or Berger Post Office Red. An internet search on Ford Monaco Red produced hundreds of autos using PPG Code 71243 and described as Rangoon Red, Carnival Red, Fiesta Red, etc, but not Monaco Red. PPG 71243 is basic bright pure red and is a match for Berger Post Office. I do not know if Nortons pre-Atlas used such a bright red, but this is not the red originally on my Atlas. Anyone searching for a pre-Atlas basic red might do well to research PPG 71243.

I turned up one link that listed a Ford Anglia color as 'Monaco Red', and was used on Anglias from 1961 to 1966.
Removed broken link
The color swatch (always to be regarded as suspect from web pages) indicated a good possibility, with the paint being in Gr. Britain at the same time as Atlas manufacture.

My PPG paint supplier found the code in the European database, and was able to produce a cross-over paint chip which I felt justified the expense of mixing up a quart and having the paint shop spray the tank. I believe the result is spot on...it has to be seen in the 'real', not 'virtual'

The complete paint specs are:

Brand Code: FOR0227
Main Layer: FOR0227
OEM Code: 0227, AMP, BS
Description: Monaco Red
Mixing Scheme: DELFLEET (FBC Leaded)
Variant: PRIME

SKU ..... Description ..... Inc. (g) .... Cum. (g)

F3544 ..... Red Oxide .....108.5 ...... 108.5
F3539 ..... Orange ........ 100.6 ..... 209.3
F3533 ..... Str White ...... 50.4 ....... 259.7
F3140 ..... Binder ......... 259.8 ...... 519.5

Makes 1 US Pint

Reducer: Delfleet F3330


Slick
 
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wow, a veritable wealth of info. Thanks so much Slick

MrG
 
I think I have finally nailed down the code for the red color used on early Norton Atlas fuel tanks. It is available from PPG as code 0227, AMP, BS - Monaco Red
I do not have an original painted specimen to compare, but from memory (very subjective I admit) it is spot on.

I have ruled out Norton Cardinal Red (too purple), PPG Code 71243 (basic red & explained below), and Signal Red (not enough orange).

View attachment 5671

The NOC colors page lists nothing for Atlas red, but lists best match for 'Norton Red' as Ford Monaco Red, or Berger Post Office Red. An internet search on Ford Monaco Red produced hundreds of autos using PPG Code 71243 and described as Rangoon Red, Carnival Red, Fiesta Red, etc, but not Monaco Red. PPG 71243 is basic bright pure red and is a match for Berger Post Office. I do not know if Nortons pre-Atlas used such a bright red, but this is not the red originally on my Atlas. Anyone searching for a pre-Atlas basic red might do well to research PPG 71243.

I turned up one link that listed a Ford Anglia color as 'Monaco Red', and was used on Anglias from 1961 to 1966.
Removed broken link
The color swatch (always to be regarded as suspect from web pages) indicated a good possibility, with the paint being in Gr. Britain at the same time as Atlas manufacture.

My PPG paint supplier found the code in the European database, and was able to produce a cross-over paint chip which I felt justified the expense of mixing up a quart and having the paint shop spray the tank. I believe the result is spot on...it has to be seen in the 'real', not 'virtual'

The complete paint specs are:

Brand Code: FOR0227
Main Layer: FOR0227
OEM Code: 0227, AMP, BS
Description: Monaco Red
Mixing Scheme: DELFLEET (FBC Leaded)
Variant: PRIME

SKU ..... Description ..... Inc. (g) .... Cum. (g)

F3544 ..... Red Oxide .....108.5 ...... 108.5
F3539 ..... Orange ........ 100.6 ..... 209.3
F3533 ..... Str White ...... 50.4 ....... 259.7
F3140 ..... Binder ......... 259.8 ...... 519.5

Makes 1 US Pint

Reducer: Delfleet F3330


Slick
Very pretty color. I like the burgundy color as well. Not sure what years used it and of course I didn't paint my tank burgundy when I repainted it.
 
In the 1960's Nortons were described as in "Post Office Red" . My 67 Ducati is in "Monaco Red". Atlas in the Uk were usually the Bergundy red. I would Describe my 99 as Post Office red. I have a tin of ICI Transport Polyurethane coach paint that is a perfect match to the original paint on the 99. That tank looks the same as an early Manxman Tank?, Could these have been made in the Norton factory rather than stamped out by Shelleys ?,
 
From NOC...
"Although sharing identical styling with the 650SS, the Atlas was offered with several petrol tank colour options, black, silver, green and most popular, red "

As "we"(USA) know that atlas are today scarce on the ground, eclipsed by the commando.
I have seen more metallic red by far over the solid red. I can't say I actually recall seeing a solid red one in person.
Was the green a metallic or plain?
Was there an interpol atlas in white?
 
I know this is slightly off topic, but what always cracks me up about "perfect" restorations are modern clear coat paint and wire ties. I don't have any problem with either, but I think going crazy about the "correct" color and then using clear coat doesnt make sense.
 
The Atlas was seen (by me) with the green metallic tank in the late 60's ,with the Atlas transfer . We met him at Pride and Clarkes and showed him the way to Gus Kuhn's , He was a bit miffed as he had trouble staying with me on the 88 two up! .But I was a loon then. Try to be safer now, but still doging the bullet, Spent 2 minuits without any air at all this morning after breathing in wommit. Wife beat me black and blue to get clear. Sod it I'm off out on the bike, Home is a dangerous place!. White police 650/750's were about but mostly export I think.
 
Thanks
I knew that kind of metalic paint existed, as even I was painting metalic colors like chevy blue back in the 67 time frame. It was Dupont enamal. Acrylic enamel had not come out yet. I never did bother with real lacquer as back then it was not considered as durable as enamel. I did my 60 bug eye sptite in blue after removing the white latex house paint...LOL
I'm going to try and find a white interpol pix to see if the whole bike was white or if the oil tank and tool box were white or black.

Found one old archive pix- looks to be a 61 or 62 slimline -99 all white
 
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A friend of mine owned a flamboyant green '67 Atlas that had been imported from USA in the 80's, low millage original metallic green [lovely colour], later it was badly damaged in a crash. My parts book that covers 63-68 lists metallic {maybe Candy] coloured tanks in the 66-68 section but in the 63-65 section the tank is listed as "bare" no mention of paint colour. I have had my '66 Atlas painted Candy Apple Red.
 
I know this is slightly off topic, but what always cracks me up about "perfect" restorations are modern clear coat paint and wire ties. I don't have any problem with either, but I think going crazy about the "correct" color and then using clear coat doesnt make sense.

My painter, a professional auto-body guy, tells me modern paints absolutely MUST be clear coated. Getting the color correct is good enough for me.

Slick
 
Hi Dave, Painted my 60 Frogeye Valspar green with chrome yellow stripe (House brush paint!) .
 
My painter, a professional auto-body guy, tells me modern paints absolutely MUST be clear coated. Getting the color correct is good enough for me.

Slick
I agree about modern paint and clear coat. Just think it's funny that some people obsess over originality and then overlook that there was no clear coat when these bikes were original. Not a big deal to me personally. Just think it's funny.
 
With the introduction of environmentally friendly paints the clear coat could be necessary protection .
 
Hey Slick, I had my guy use the formula you posted. It came out perfect. Expensive, but a beautiful job and the red looks to me what I remember my Atlas looked like back in the sixties. Much thanks again for your help.
 
Hey Slick, I had my guy use the formula you posted. It came out perfect. Expensive, but a beautiful job and the red looks to me what I remember my Atlas looked like back in the sixties. Much thanks again for your help.

If you think the paint was expensive, wait until you find out the price of chrome plating your tank badges!

Slick
 
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