Sahara Tan. Cavalry Blue. Cacti Green. Nardo Grey. Chalk. You may not know these colors by name, but chances are you’ve seen them on the road recently. You may even be wondering what’s up with all these colors that look like, well, clay.
Over the last few years, carmakers have been adding these muted mineral tones to their pallets. From a distance they look like old single-stage lacquers from the ‘50s. But they’re not quite flat, and in fact many are enhanced with the close-range shimmer of fine mica or pearl. In contrast to their unassuming appearance, however, these desaturated colors often show up only on higher-end models or as a pricey option. And sometimes only both.
What’s clear, though, is that these colors are the hot trend right now, at least in the new car market. But what about your custom build? If you want to stand out against the herds in their Arrest Me Reds, Jolly Rancher Greens, or Jelly Belly Purples, these sophisticated neutrals could be the ticket.
Debatable Origins
It’s uncertain where exactly the “clay core” trend got its real start. Some blame tuner culture and it’s young, cash-strapped enthusiasts. The theory goes they often mounted primed body accessories to their whips while saving up for the pint job. At some point it just became an accepted part of the aesthetic. Of course, this is nothing new , as evidenced by the popularity of matte black rat rods.
Others point to the current popularity as a side effect of the Covid days, when a lot of people got into being outdoors. The colors certainly align with the hazy shades of nature in the morning light. And this theory has some credibility, given these colors are often applied to off-road and adventure-focused models.
Still others have suggested it’s a yearning for a return to simplicity and understatement. This aligns with the recent fascination with the “quiet luxury” aesthetic in the fashion world. The focus is more on pure design and quality than on the look-at-me colors and patterns. The fact these paints are often expensive plays well with this assumption.
In reality, the trend probably owes its popularity to a combination of these factors. And like it or not, it’s probably here to stay. So how about you have a little fun with it. We’ve picked five current factory colors that reflect the full spectrum of muted clay shades. Who knows, maybe one of these unique colors can make your next show car project a standout among a sea of candies and metal flake. After all, we’ve already given you the paint codes to find your factory matched paints.
Classic Possibilities
Porsche Chalk
True to its description, Chalk is a slightly grey off-white that gets attention because of its subtlety. This would make a great foundation for a pro touring-style muscle car. A low-key, understated exterior color, it practically begs for a popping interior treatment. Perhaps something in a slightly muted dark red shade, like the red soles of a white nubuck oxford shoe.
Ford Area 51 Blue
Area 51 is a tricky color, looking mostly blue but occasionally green from some angles. It gives off vibes of late ’60 American pickups. Perhaps a square-body C-10 pickup with white center body stripe (maybe even Porsche Chalk). Paired with a tight-patterned blue and white houndstooth interior, you could have a show stopper.
Hyundai Sage Green
This subtle grey-green seems perfect for a sleeper wagon build. A big-block Vista Cruiser, perhaps, or maybe a Fairmont wagon with a superchared Coyote under the hood. The point is to never let ’em see you coming and then keep ’em guessing when you’re gone.
Nissan Baja Storm
It may be too literal, but this shade seems to belong an open-top 4×4. We’d lean towards a Scout II with black trim and bed-lined interior. You know what they say – Keep it simple, smarty.
Kia Wolf Grey
This cool light grey reminds us of a dressed-up version of primer. It’s a simple shade that lends itself well to showing off a great shape. We’d go resto-mod British roadster with this color. In fact, a Jaguar XKE roadster with pure white Dunlop alloy wheels and a pair of white racing stripes running front to back seems just about perfect. Save the British Racing Green for the interior.
