VW Paint Colours
Volkswagens sold in Australia have used a combination of unique locally produced colours for Australian-made VWs, together with German colours for imported models. The Volkswagen Australasia Ltd factory in Clayton, Melbourne, first produced cars from CKD kits in 1954. The paints were first supplied by Balm Paints Australia (British Australian Lead Manufacturers), who also had a factory in Clayton. They were bought out by Dulux Australia Pty Ltd in 1964. They produced a large range of Australian colours not seen on German/US models. The Clayton VW factory was the first car factory in Australia to use full-immersion dipping and four-layer baked enamel finishes. Ford and GMH did not use this system until the 1990s.
The colours listed below cover all Australian-produced and Australian-sold Volkswagens from 1954, when Australian Volkswagen assembly began, to 1988. These are sourced from numerous old Balm colour cards, Dulux Auto Shades catalogues and other references. The years indicate when a colour was introduced, and may continue on after the assigned year. If your colour does not appear in your given year, check a few years either side. Note that because they are standard Dulux colours, they do not have equivalent VW Australasia Colour Codes until 1961.
Unless indicated, each year refers to Australian-produced colours. Karmann Ghias were fully imported for local sale from 1959 to 1968. These use German paint colours and are indicated with ‘Imported’. These are Karmann-VW colours and may differ slightly from the typical VW colours used on Wolfsburg-built cars of the time (which were not sold in Australia).
Note also that the local Australian paint range includes Nissan and Volvo paint colours from 1968 to 1976, as these other makes were also assembled in the Motor Producers Ltd factory in Clayton in this period. If your local paint suppliers cannot find these colours under ‘Volkswagen’, try looking under ‘Nissan/Datsun’ and/or ‘Volvo’.
All Australian Volkswagen assembly ceased in March 1977. All Volkswagens sold in Australia since 1977 have been fully imported, so these are all marked ‘Imported’, and normal German VW colours will apply. The T3 Transporter was the only VW model available in Australia from 1982-1989, so some colours indicated may not have actually been imported and sold here.
Dulux Australia has undergone a number of changes of ownership since the mid-1980s, and they actually stopped making automotive finishes for a number of years. They have only just returned to the automotive paint market - visit the Dulux AutoRefinish page for more information. We have been unable to determine specific Dulux or Volkswagen paint codes on Australian-sold VWs since the late 1980s. For late model VWs, you should consult your Volkswagen dealer.
| Colour Name | Dulux Colour No. | VW Colour Code |
| 1954 | ||
| Belgrave Blue | 7372 | |
| Clayton Green | 7371 | |
| Glenburnie Grey | 7368 | |
| Gypsy Grey | 7369 | |
| Mandalay Ivory | 7370 | |
| Pigeon Blue | 7854 | |
| 1955 | ||
| Belgrave Blue | 7372 | |
| Clayton Green | 7371 | |
| Glenburnie Grey | 7368 | |
| Gypsy Grey | 7369 | |
| Horizon Blue | 7575 | |
| Pigeon Blue | 7854 | |
| 1956 | ||
| Coastal (Mandalay) Ivory | 7946 | |
| Coastal (Inverloch) Ivory | 7886 | |
| Gunyah Grey | 7883 | |
| Horizon Blue | 7575 | |
| Manly Tan | 7940 | |
| Mountain Blue | 7884 | |
| Pigeon Blue | 7854 | |
| Surf Green | 7941 | |
| 1957 | ||
| Boronia Brown | 2265 | |
| Commercial Blue | 7522 | |
| Gunyah Grey | 7883 | |
| Gulf Green | 2084 | |
| Manly Tan | 7940 | |
| Summer Blue | 2266 | |
| Surf Green | 7941 | |
| Surfers White | 2348 | |
| 1958 | ||
| Alabaster | 3933 | |
| Boronia Brown | 2265 | |
| Commercial Blue | 7522 | |
| Gunyah Grey | 7883 | |
| Manly Tan | 7940 | |
| Palm Green | 7852 | |
| Sand Green | 7853 | |
| Summer Blue | 2266 | |
| Tasman Blue | 9632 | |
| 1959 | ||
| Alabaster | 3933 | |
| Boronia Brown | 2265 | |
| Commercial Blue | 7522 | |
| Mango Green | 9819 | |
| Manly Tan | 7940 | |
| Palm Green | 7852 | |
| Sand Green | 7853 | |
| Seagull Grey | 9818 | |
| Summer Blue | 2266 | |
| Tasman Blue | 9632 | |
| 1960 | ||
| Ceramic Green | 9911 | |
| Commercial Blue | 7522 | |
| Mango Green | 9819 | |
| New Alabaster | 0095 | |
| Paprika | 0048 | |
| Slate Blue | 9853 | |
| Strato Blue | 0049 | |
| 1961 | ||
| Beryl Green | 4288 | |
| Gulf Blue | 4285 | |
| Misty Grey | 4234 | |
| Pastel Blue | 4284 | |
| Pearl White | 4291 | |
| Pigeon Blue | 0377 | |
| Ruby Red | 4286 | |
| Turquoise | 4287 | |
| 1961 Imported | ||
| Anthracite Grey | 4697 | L469 |
| Lavender Blue | 4701 | L397 |
| Pacific Blue | 4696 | |
| Pampas Green | 4702 | L384 |
| Paprika Red | 4699 | L452 |
| Sea Blue | 4698 | L360 |
| Sierra Beige | 4700 | L490 |
| 1962 | ||
| Beryl Green | 4288 | 1.3.603 |
| Gulf Blue | 4285 | 1.3.503 |
| Nimbus White | 9828 | 1.2.900 |
| Pigeon Blue | 0377 | |
| Ruby Red | 4286 | 1.2.303 |
| Steel Grey | 4759 | 1.3.005 |
| Turquoise | 4287 | 1.2.602 |
| Yukon Yellow | 3013 | 1.2.701 |
| 1962 Imported | ||
| Anthracite | 4905 | 1.3.101 |
| Anthracite Grey | 4697 | L469 |
| Bermuda White | 4802 | |
| Beryl Green | 4288 | 1.3.603 (L478) |
| Blue White | 4803 | 289 |
| Gulf Blue | 4285 | 1.4.503 (L390) |
| Lavender Blue | 4701 | L397 |
| Nimbus White | 4753 | 1.2.900 |
| Pacific Blue | 4696 | |
| Pampas Green | 4702 | L384 |
| Paprika Red | 4699 | L452 |
| Pearl White | 4804 | L87 |
| Pearl White | 4927 | 1.3.003 |
| Pigeon Blue | 0377 | |
| Porcelain Green | 4805 | L480 |
| Ruby Red | 4286 | 1.2.303 (L456) |
| Sierra Beige | 4700 | L490 |
| Steel Grey | 4759 | 1.3.005 (L328) |
| Turquoise | 4287 | 1.2.602 |
| Yukon Yellow | 3013 | 1.2.701 |
| 1963 | ||
| Anthracite | 4905 | 1.3.101 |
| Beryl (1500) Green | 5195 | L511 |
| Beryl Green | 4288 | 1.3.603 |
| Blue (1500) | 5193 | L390 |
| Gulf Blue | 4285 | 1.3.503 |
| Misty (1500) Grey | 5194 | L469 |
| Pearl White | 4927 | 1.3.003 |
| Ruby Red | 4286 | 1.2.303 |
| Turquoise | 4287 | 1.2.602 |
| White (1500) | 5263 | L87 |
| 1963/64 | ||
| Bahama Blue | 6043 | 1.3.509 |
| Birch Green | 6032 | 1.3.607 |
| Gulf Blue | 4285 | 1.3.503 |
| Polar White | 6030 | 1.3.903 |
| Ruby (1500) Red | 5265 | L456 |
| Ruby Red | 4754 | 1.3.303 |
| Smoke Grey | 6033 | 1.3.013 |
| Turquoise | 4287 | 1.2.602 |
| 1964/65 Imported | ||
| Baltic Blue | 8412 | L539 |
| Fontana Grey | 8414 | L595 |
| Nutria Brown | 8382 | L575 |
| Polar (Pearl) White | 8381 | |
| Safari Beige | 8380 | L563 |
| Sea Sand | 8413 | L568 |
| 1965/66 | ||
| Bahama Blue | 6043 | 1.3.509 |
| Birch Green | 6032 | 1.3.607 |
| Fontana Grey | 8484 | 1.3.017 |
| Panama Beige | 8485 | 1.1.803 |
| Polar White | 6030 | 1.3.904 |
| Ruby Red | 4754 | 1.3.303 |
| Sea Blue | 8483 | 1.3.510 |
| 1967/68 | ||
| Birch Green | 06032 | 1.3.607 |
| Delta Green | 01292 | 613 |
| Lotus White | 01290 | 909 |
| Neptune Blue | 05271 | L50K |
| Paradise Gold | 10088 | 713 |
| Ruby Red | 04754 | 1.3.303 |
| Savannah Beige | 01749 | 804 |
| Savannah Beige (low gloss) | 05781 | 749 |
| V.W. Blue | 01289 | 505 |
| Wheel Grey Metallic | 06535 | |
| Zenith Blue | 01291 | 518 |
| 1967/68 Imported | ||
| Grey Silver Metallic | 15272 | L693 |
| Silver Metallic | 15273 | L96D |
| 1968/69 | ||
| Diamond Blue | 11235 | 523 |
| Kings Red | 11234 | 308 |
| Lotus White | 01290 | 909 |
| Regatta Blue | 10089 | 520 |
| Savannah Beige | 01749 | 804 |
| 1970 | ||
| Aluminium (wheels) | 12110 | |
| Antarctica White | 12330 | 911 |
| Ascot Green | 12011 | 615 |
| Clementine | 12013 | 12 |
| Honey Brown | 12016 | 201 |
| Kings Red | 11234 | 17 |
| Pampas Yellow | 13015 | 715 |
| Safari Beige | 12014 | 805 |
| Space Blue | 12015 | 524 |
| 1971 | ||
| Aluminium (wheels) | 12110 | |
| Antarctica White | 12330 | 911 |
| Bahia Red | 13234 | |
| Clementine | 12013 | 12 |
| Honey Brown | 12016 | 201 |
| Lime Glow | 13235 | |
| Moss Green | 09819 | 616 |
| Pastel Blue | 13173 | 525 |
| Regatta Blue | 10089 | |
| Royal Glow | 13244 | |
| Shantung | 13174 | 717 |
| Signal Orange | 13014 | 716 |
| 1972 | ||
| Antarctica White | 12330 | 911 |
| Avocado Green | 13176 | |
| Gemini Blue | 13975 | |
| Honey Brown | 12016 | 201 |
| Mustard | 13974 | |
| Radar Red | 13973 | |
| Regatta Blue | 10089 | 520 |
| Wattle | 13971 | CLR719 |
| 1973 | ||
| Antarctica White | 12330 | 911 |
| Flipper Blue | 13979 | CLR529 |
| Grasshopper Green | 13976 | |
| Kalahari Tan | 13980 | CLR312 |
| Mustard | 13974 | |
| Radar Red | 13973 | |
| Regatta Blue | 10089 | 520 |
| Wattle | 13971 | CLR719 |
| 1974/75 | ||
| Citrus Red | 15805 | CLR313 |
| Crystal White | 15453 | CLR914 |
| Flipper Blue | 13979 | CLR529 |
| Kalahari Tan | 13980 | CLR312 |
| Martini Olive | 15803 | CLR622 |
| Maya Majestic | 17418 | CLR723 |
| Mellow Yellow | 15816 | CLR721 |
| Olive Metallic | 17293 | CLR624 |
| Quartz Metallic | 17294 | CLR030 |
| Riverina Orange | 17644 | CLR722 |
| Saluki Brown Metallic | 17645 | CLR204 |
| Wattle | 13971 | CLR719 |
| 1975/76 | ||
| Antarctica White | 12330 | 911 |
| Blue Green Metallic | 30005 | CLR625 |
| Bronco Brown | 17868 | CLR205 |
| Copper Metallic | 30004 | CLR206 |
| Harbour Blue (Taubmans) | S5-4304 | CLR530 |
| Maya Metallic | 17418 | CLR723 |
| Quartz Metallic | 17294 | CLR030 |
| 1977 Imported | ||
| Bahai Blue | 30431 | L50A |
| Bali Green | 30434 | L62A |
| Brocade Red | 30430 | L32A |
| Dakota Beige | 30433 | L13A |
| Diamond Silver Metallic | 30428 | L97A |
| Marino Yellow | 30438 | L20A |
| Mars Red | 30435 | L31B |
| Miami Blue | 30429 | L51C |
| Neptune Blue | 30436 | L50K |
| Ocean Blue | 30439 | L57H |
| Panama Brown | 30432 | L12A |
| Pastel White | 15521 | L90D |
| Polar White | 30426 | L90A |
| Riyad Yellow | 30427 | L11A |
| Senegal Red | 30437 | L31A |
| Sumatra Green | 30087 | L61B |
| Taiga Green | 30440 | L63H |
| Timor Brown Metallic | 30424 | L97F |
| Viper Green Metallic | 30105 | L98B |
| 1978 Imported | ||
| Alpine White | 30831 | L90E |
| Andorra Blue | 30961 | L56Y |
| Bahama Blue Metallic | 30893 | L99F |
| Castle Yellow | 30963 | L12Y |
| Malaga Red | 30960 | L30C |
| Manilla Green | 30964 | L63Y |
| Marino Yellow | 31326 | L21H |
| Mars Red | 30435 | L31B |
| Nubis Red | 30962 | L31Y |
| Viper Green Metallic | 30832 | L96N |
| 1979/80 Imported | ||
| Alpine White | 30831 | L90E |
| Azores Metallic | 31368 | LA5V |
| Colibri Green Metallic | 31366 | L99Y |
| Diamond Silver Metallic | 30428 | L97A |
| Florida Blue | LA5A | |
| Inari Silver Metallic | 31365 | L94A |
| Indian Red Metallic | 31364 | LA3V |
| Lemon Yellow | 31350 | LA1D |
| Light Orange | 31446 | L20B |
| Lime Yellow | 31367 | LA1B |
| Mexico Beige | 31532 | LE1M |
| Santos Green | 31351 | LA6A |
| Viper Green Metallic | 30832 | L96N |
| 1982 Imported | ||
| Agate Brown | 35000 | L86Z |
| Aswan Brown | 34696 | H8B |
| Bamboo Yellow | 34695 | H1B |
| Brilliant Orange | 34693 | 20B |
| Ivory | 34697 | 567 |
| Liana Green | 34694 | H6A |
| Pastel White | 34692 | 90D |
| Saima Green | 34698 | H6B |
| Samos Beige | 34699 | H1N |
| 1983 Imported | ||
| Damuso White | 35134 | H9D |
| Escorial Green | 35132 | T6A |
| Kopenhagen Blue | 35817 | LY5B/K3 |
| Kurilian Blue | 35028 | H5T |
| May Green | 35133 | TB6 |
| Medium Blue | 35131 | H5G |
| Monaco Blue (LT) | 35029 | A5D |
| Nevada Beige | LA1N/B6 | |
| Polaris Silver Metallic | 39595 | LA7V |
| 1984 Imported | ||
| Capri Blue | 38093 | LK5E |
| Ice Green | LA6E/M1 | |
| Marine Blue | 38092 | AB5 |
| Merian Brown | 35673 | A8A |
| Timor Beige | 35659 | H8T |
| Turquoise | LA6T | |
| 1985 Imported | ||
| Fels Grey Metallic | 38385 | LK7V |
| Kalahari Beige | 38462 | LH8T |
| Mahogany Metallic | 38383 | LB8Z |
| Marsala Red | 38463 | LH3D |
| Stein Grey Metallic | 38384 | LY7U |
| Tizian Red Metallic | 38386 | LB3V |
| 1986/87/88 Imported | ||
| Flash Silver Metallic | 39133 | LP7Y |
| Kopenhagen Blue | 35817 | LY5B |
| Mint Green | LY6B | |
| Mocha Brown | LH8V | |
| Savannah Beige Metallic | 39132 | LH1V |
| Surf Blue | LD5B | |
| Turkish Blue | L59P | |