Finding the correct paint code for your Triumph is the first step toward a proper colour match, whether you are touching up a stone chip or planning a full respray. Triumph used several different coding systems over the years, which causes more confusion than it should. This page covers the main models and their factory colours, with notes on where to find the code on your specific car.
How to find your paint code
On Triumphs built from the early 1960s onwards, the paint code is stamped on the commission plate fixed under the bonnet. Depending on the model and year this plate is usually found on the inner wing, the suspension turret, or the scuttle bulkhead. The plate will show the paint code and the trim code as separate entries.
Understanding the coding systems
- 1960s to early 1970s: two or three digit numeric codes such as 32 for Signal Red or 25 for Conifer Green
- From March 1977 onwards: three letter codes where the first letter indicates the colour group. P for black, C for red, A for brown, F for yellow, H for green, J for blue, N for white
- Transition period 1976 to early 1977: some cars carry both the old numeric code and the new three letter code
- Do not confuse Triumph codes with BLVC codes. British Leyland assigned BLVC codes to many Triumph colours but Triumph never stamped these on commission plates. Using a BLVC code will get you the wrong colour
Triumph Spitfire paint colours
The Spitfire was produced from 1962 to 1980 and offered one of the widest colour ranges of any Triumph model. Colours changed almost every year, so the year of manufacture matters significantly when ordering paint.
Spitfire Mk1 and Mk2 (1962 to 1967)
Spitfire Mk3 and MkIV (1967 to 1974)
Spitfire 1500 (1974 to 1980)
Spitfire bonnet decal note
Several Spitfire colours were fitted with a contrasting bonnet decal as standard from the factory. Colours marked with a single asterisk in factory documentation had a black bonnet decal. Colours with a double asterisk had a silver bonnet decal. If your car has a decal it should be original to the colour. If it does not have one and the colour is listed as requiring one, it was either removed by a previous owner or the car was repainted at some point.
Triumph TR6 paint colours
The TR6 was produced from 1969 to 1976 and came in a relatively restrained colour palette compared to the Spitfire. Colours offered varied between the UK market and the US market, and not all colours were available in all years.
TR6 colours 1969 to 1972
TR6 colours 1972 to 1976
TR6 data plate location
On the TR6 the commission plate is found on the right hand inner wing under the bonnet. The plate shows the commission number, body type, paint code, and trim code. On US specification cars a separate VIN plate is also present on the dashboard.
Triumph GT6 paint colours
The GT6 shared much of its colour palette with the contemporary Spitfire, as both cars were built on the same production line at Canley. The GT6 was produced from 1966 to 1973 across three mark variants.
GT6 Mk1 (1966 to 1968)
GT6 Mk2 and Mk3 (1968 to 1973)
Triumph Stag paint colours
The Stag was produced from 1970 to 1977 and offered a more upmarket colour range befitting its grand touring character. Several metallic options were available, which was unusual for Triumph at the time.
Stag data plate location
The commission plate on the Stag is found on the scuttle under the bonnet on the passenger side. It shows the commission number, paint code, and trim code.
Triumph TR4 and TR4A paint colours
The TR4 was produced from 1961 to 1965, the TR4A from 1965 to 1967. The colour range was limited compared to later Triumphs. Early 1950s and early 1960s Triumphs did not use numeric codes on the commission plate and colours were referred to by name only.
Triumph TR2 and TR3 paint colours
The TR2 was produced from 1953, the TR3 from 1955 and the TR3A from 1957 to 1962. These early cars predate the numeric coding system entirely. Colours are referred to by name only and no code will appear on the car. Period documentation and paint manufacturers’ cross reference charts are the best source for matching these early colours.
Triumph Herald and Vitesse paint colours
The Herald was produced from 1959 to 1971, the Vitesse from 1962 to 1971. Both cars shared a colour palette and the same commission plate system from the 1960s onwards.
Triumph 2000, 2500 and 2.5 Pi paint colours
The Triumph 2000 was produced from 1963, the 2500 and 2.5 Pi following in the late 1960s and running through to 1977. These larger saloons and estates offered a broader range of metallic colours than the sports cars.
Triumph Dolomite and Dolomite Sprint paint colours
The Dolomite was produced from 1972, the Sprint from 1973 to 1980. The Sprint in particular offered a number of distinctive colours suited to its sporting character, including the famous Mimosa Yellow which became closely associated with the model.
Triumph TR7 and TR8 paint colours
The TR7 was produced from 1975 to 1981, the TR8 from 1979 to 1981. These later cars used the three letter coding system introduced in 1977 and also shared many colours with the contemporary Leyland range.
Finding and buying touch-up paint
Where to find your code
Once you have located the commission plate and noted the paint code, there are several good sources for touch-up paint, aerosols, and full respray quantities matched to your specific colour.
Rimmer Bros
Rimmer Bros carry a comprehensive range of Triumph touch-up paint aerosols and tins matched to factory codes. Their online paint chart at rimmerbros.com is one of the best reference sources available and allows you to search by model and year. Worth checking before ordering elsewhere as they stock many codes that are difficult to find.
Colour matching services
For a full respray or for colours that are no longer available as standard aerosols, a colour matching service using a spectrophotometer is the best approach. Most good bodyshops offer this, or specialist services such as AutoColorLibrary can mix paint to the original formula from the factory code number alone.
A note on colour accuracy
Original Triumph paint varied slightly even when new, due to differences between batches and the application process at the factory. Cars that have been partially resprayed may have further variation. Always test any touch-up paint in an inconspicuous area before applying it to a visible panel, and bear in mind that a perfect blend rather than an exact match is often a more realistic target on a car of this age.
Useful resources
- Rimmer Bros paint chart: rimmerbros.com/c/Triumph-Paint-Chart — comprehensive factory codes by model
- Triumph Spitfire Information Warehouse: triumphspitfire.com — excellent Spitfire and GT6 specific reference
- The Triumph Experience forums: triumphexp.com — the best source for community knowledge on unusual or disputed codes
- Vintage Triumph Register: vintagetriumphregister.org — original period paint charts for early models
If you cannot find your code in this list, or if the code on your commission plate does not appear to match the car as it stands, it is worth checking the Triumph Experience forums where members have accumulated decades of knowledge on factory paint variations, non-standard combinations, and colours applied during the transition periods between coding systems. A car that looks right is always more important than a car that matches the plate exactly.