Paint Code Suffix

[wifesaysnohearses]

I'm thinking of buying a 1955 76R project, and from the buick.net paint code chart I was able to tell that the car was originally black/white/black (it's currently in primer).
However, there is a "-1" after the code.
Do you know what this might signify?
paint no. ABA-1.
Incidentally, the trim no. is 475. I assume this is a red color code.
Best Regards,
Steven

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1949 Buick Super
1955 Buick Riviera

 

[TODD]

Steven, 3-tone Color Combinations were available on the 55 models, but combo ABA wasn't on the list. Maybe the -1 indicates the paint was a special order. Too, the data being used is for US cars. If yours was built in Canada, other rules may apply. It may be possible to confirm the scheme by finding some trace of the original colors on an out of the way surface, beneath trim, or behind rubber parts.

The 475 trim code was used on the 72 and 76R models; it denotes black pattern cloth with ivory imitation leather.

 

[wifesaysnohearses]

Hi, Todd;
Thanks for the information, I appreciate it. Unfortunately, for this particular exercise, the car has already been stripped and primered, so finding an original color trace would be difficult if not impossible.
The car was manufactured in the U.S., as the data plate says "Flint, MI" and not "GM Canada". It's interesting that the trim code denotes black pattern cloth and imitation ivory leather, as the car is presently with red and white imitation leather or vinyl upholstery, so it seems it was redone at some point. Where would the imitation ivory part of the trim be?
Best Regards,
Steven

 

[TODD]

Steven, I haven't been able turn up a photo of a 55 Roadmaster interior, but there is one that is close in one of the 55 Service bulletins (it may be from a Super).

In general, the combination material upholstery designs will have cloth on the seat cushion areas where the passengers sit and on the back cushions where the passengers lean back. This prevents the 'sticky' feeling which vinyl was known for (the material does not 'breathe' the way cloth does). High wear areas like the outer edges of the seat and back cushions would be vinyl. Sometimes the top of the back cushions would have vinyl inserts, like the photo in the service bulletin. The trim around the front and sides of the seat cushion and the sides of the back cushion were sometimes done in vinyl also.

I would agree the that the interior has been replaced on the car under consideration. All interiors on the Roadmaster closed cars were combination cloth/imitation leather that year.