Hard Top Color

[huisjen]

I just put the top on and never realized before that it is a different color is from the body of the 2004 Thunderbird. It is the same color but lighter. Not a real big difference and wouldn't be noticed unless it is pointed out. It seems that if were a sun fading issue that the body would be lighter. Just wondered if anyone else has this symptom. Maybe the tops were made in a different place and there were different paint lots?

 

[George]

Haven't heard of this in the 12 years I've owned one.
What color is ithe car?

Did you buy it used? If so possibly the otiginal owner bought the car without a hardtop and somewhere along the line, an owner bought a used HT. And it could have been from any year......they are interchangeable

There were 6 colors in 2004, Blk, Red, Mint grn, Silver, Merlot and light Ice Blue, Could it be the Blue but with a silver top???😕🙄

 

[05GT-O.C.D.]

There are so many things that go into color, and some people are better at spotting the differences than others.

Different materials absorb pigments differently (metal vs fiberglass vs plastic bumper covers, etc) and those differences can show more with age. You can paint two different materials at the exact same time and have a slightly different color show after it dries. Even things such as the amount of air pressure the paint was applied with, to the humidity at the time of the painting, etc...

I really doubt that the hardtops were painted alongside of the car they were meant to go on. So yes, it could be a different 'lot', or something that you'll notice that nobody else ever will. I can almost always find minor differences between bumper covers and quarter panels that most people will go their lifetime without ever noticing. It's one of those things you realize is normal. Enjoy your bird. 🙂

 

[huisjen]

Hard Top Color

Thanks for your responses.

It is Platinum Silver.

I have the original sales MSRP and the top was delivered with it.

Otherwise, I think you guy nailed it. The color is very nominally different and could well have been any of the reasons that you mentioned.