Few cars capture the raw muscle and timeless lines of the Chevrolet Chevelle. From their aggressive stance to its legendary big-block power, the Chevelle has always stood out in any crowd. But beyond the engines and stripes, it’s the paint that often sets the tone of a Chevelle, from the way the paint catches sunlight on a long cruise, or glows under streetlights at the local car show.
Over the years, Chevy gave the Chevelle some of the boldest, richest, and most memorable paint options ever sprayed on American sheet metal. While Mopar’s take the win for some of the craziest and brightest colors, Chevelle colors are timeless.
Top Chevelle Paint Colors of All Time
1. Cranberry Red
If there’s one shade that screams “SS 454,” it’s Cranberry Red. This iconic 1970 color option became an instant favorite for its high-contrast pairing with black or white stripes. On a cowl-induction hood, nothing said bad intentions quite like that deep red glow. It was bold, confident, and impossible to ignore; the perfect visual match for 450 horsepower and a rock-crusher 4-speed.
2. Cortez Silver
Chevrolet’s Cortez Silver offered a clean, understated look that let the Chevelle’s lines do all the talking. It reflected light in a way that highlighted the car’s sculpted fenders and SS trim, creating a muscle car that looked as elegant as it was brutal. Paired with black stripes and a black interior, it’s still one of the most balanced and timeless Chevelle color combinations ever made.
3. Tuxedo Black
Simple. Sinister. Classic. Black Chevelles are universally respected because they exude pure intimidation. A black ’70 SS with raised white-letter tires and polished five-spokes never goes out of style — and for good reason. The downside? Keeping one clean. The upside? Nothing looks tougher.
4. Hugger Orange
Originally made famous by the Camaro, Hugger Orange found its way to Chevelles and instantly became a showstopper. Bright, loud, and unapologetically awesome, this color embodied the energy of the muscle car era. It’s as much Americana as baseball and burnouts.
5. Mist Green
One of the more subtle and rare shades, Mist Green has a unique vintage charm that’s grown on collectors over time. It’s soft, reflective, and distinct — a refreshing break from the louder muscle car colors. It gives off that “garage find survivor” vibe that restorers love.
6. Butternut Yellow
Not every Chevelle needed to shout. Butternut Yellow was the quiet classic that’s soft, warm, and undeniably vintage. It looked at home on both a small-block cruiser and a high-horsepower SS big block. The pale yellow paint paired perfectly with black or white stripes and gave the Chevelle a touch of elegance that balanced its brute strength.
7. Marina Blue
Marina Blue hit the sweet spot between bold and beautiful. Bright enough to pop under sunlight but deep enough to look refined, this 1967 color defined the clean, balanced look of the late ’60s Chevelle. When accented with black interior trim and chrome, it demanded a sense of performance and sophistication. For many enthusiasts, Marina Blue is the “can’t-go-wrong” color for any classic Chevy — it’s bright, happy, and pure Americana.
Why Fathom Blue Still Wins
Among all the unforgettable Chevelle hues, Fathom Blue reigns supreme. Deep, metallic, and endlessly rich, it captures everything enthusiasts love about the Chevelle: sophistication, power, and just a hint of danger.
In sunlight, Fathom Blue reveals shimmering metallic tones that accentuate every curve of the Chevelle’s sculpted body. At dusk, it transforms into a deep navy that looks almost liquid but it’s elegant, mysterious, and commanding all at once. It’s the kind of color that demands attention.
While bright reds and oranges grab the spotlight, Fathom Blue quietly owns the stage. It gives the Chevelle an upscale edge while still honoring its muscle roots. Whether paired with white stripes or the classic black SS treatment, it strikes that perfect balance between performance and poise.
Collectors and restorers often describe Fathom Blue as the quintessential Chevelle color because it’s the one that feels period-correct, yet timeless. It looks just as stunning on a concours-level LS6 restoration as it does on a restomod with billet wheels and fuel injection.
Fathom Blue represents the best of both worlds: raw American muscle wrapped in refined style.
Color, Memory, and Emotion
Ask any muscle car enthusiast about their favorite Chevelle color, and you won’t just get a name, you’ll get a story. Maybe it’s the color their father’s car was. Maybe it’s the one they saw parked outside the local drive-in. Paint isn’t just pigment; it’s nostalgia in liquid form.
And that’s why Fathom Blue stands the test of time. It’s not just a color; it’s a feeling that’s calm confidence with the soul of a street fighter. It’s the kind of paint that makes you slow down and look back as you walk away, every single time.
Chevrolet Chevelle Factory Paint Colors (1964–1972)
| Color Name | GM Code | Model Years Available | Notes / Common Pairings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ermine White | C / 936 | 1964–1969 | Classic bright white, popular on early SS cars |
| Tuxedo Black | A / 900 | 1964–1972 | Timeless gloss black; often paired with white stripes |
| Silver Blue | D | 1964–1965 | Light metallic blue with vintage tone |
| Azure Aqua | E | 1964–1965 | Rich aqua metallic, very 1960s in feel |
| Palomar Red | V | 1964 | Early deep red tone; precursor to later Cranberry Red |
| Daytona Blue | E | 1964 | Deep metallic blue, rare early color |
| Horizon Blue | D | 1965 | Soft, pastel-style blue |
| Evening Orchid | P | 1965 | Unique lavender tone — highly collectible now |
| Danube Blue | F | 1966–1967 | Mid-blue metallic; predecessor to Marina Blue |
| Marina Blue | F | 1967 | Bright medium metallic blue, classic ’67 SS look |
| Tahoe Turquoise | L | 1967–1968 | Blue-green metallic, iconic late-’60s tone |
| Granada Gold | G | 1967 | Gold metallic, often paired with black vinyl top |
| Butternut Yellow | Y / 40 | 1967–1968 | Creamy yellow; classic soft-tone ’60s hue |
| Mountain Green | H | 1967 | Muted green metallic, elegant and understated |
| Ash Gold | G | 1968 | Softer gold with metallic flake |
| Matador Red | R | 1968–1969 | Bright red, predated Cranberry Red |
| Fathom Blue Metallic | F / 28 | 1968–1970 | Deep navy metallic; timeless collector favorite |
| Island Teal | L | 1968 | Rich turquoise metallic |
| Seafrost Green | P | 1968 | Light green metallic, subtle and classy |
| Tripoli Turquoise | K | 1968 | Medium turquoise metallic with gold undertones |
| Grecian Green | H | 1969 | Vibrant green metallic, very late-’60s look |
| Cortez Silver | 14 | 1969–1970 | Bright silver metallic, great with black stripes |
| Olympic Gold | 65 | 1969–1970 | Medium gold metallic, pairs well with black accents |
| Burgundy | 52 | 1969–1970 | Deep wine red metallic |
| Monaco Orange | 72 | 1969–1970 | Bright orange (a.k.a. Hugger Orange for Camaro) |
| Astro Blue | 25 | 1970–1971 | Lighter blue metallic than Fathom; more silver tone |
| Forest Green | 48 | 1970 | Dark green metallic, elegant and bold |
| Champagne Gold | 55 | 1970 | Subtle metallic gold; less common |
| Shadow Gray | 17 | 1970 | Medium-dark gray metallic |
| Autumn Gold | 58 | 1970 | Deep gold metallic; pairs with black stripes |
| Cranberry Red | 75 | 1970–1972 | Iconic Chevelle SS color; perfect with black or white stripes |
| Misty Turquoise | 34 | 1970 | Soft blue-green metallic |
| Gobi Beige | 50 | 1970 | Neutral beige, rare on SS models |
| Lime Green | 43 | 1970 | Bright lime metallic; bold and very 1970s |
| Classic White | 10 | 1971–1972 | Bright, clean white; modern replacement for Ermine |
| Placer Gold | 53 | 1971 | Medium gold metallic, warm and rich |
| Mulsanne Blue Metallic | 26 | 1971–1972 | Brilliant blue metallic; successor to Fathom Blue |
| Cottonwood Green | 43 | 1971 | Light green metallic with silver tone |
| Tropical Lime | 43 | 1971–1972 | Vibrant lime green; rare and attention-grabbing |
| Antique Green | 42 | 1971–1972 | Deep olive green metallic; sophisticated tone |
| Ascot Blue | 24 | 1972 | Light, crisp metallic blue; clean and bright |
| Sequoia Green | 48 | 1972 | Rich forest green metallic |
| Golden Brown | 57 | 1972 | Earthy metallic bronze tone |
| Flame Orange | 65 | 1972 | Deep orange metallic; bright and aggressive |
| Mohave Gold | 63 | 1972 | Light gold metallic; elegant restoration favorite |
| Midnight Bronze | 68 | 1972 | Brown-bronze metallic, subtle and unique |
| Silver Pewter | 14 | 1972 | Metallic silver-gray; refined and modern for its time |
If you need any parts for your classic Chevelle reach out to our friendly techs at (203) 235-1200 or hop on SS396.com!
