Original Factory Colors
Classic Volkswagen Beetle Paint Colors & Factory Codes (1951–1979)
Every original factory paint color offered on the classic Volkswagen Beetle (1951–1979), with official manufacturer paint codes, hex approximations, and rarity notes. Use the paint code to order a color-matched sample from a restoration supplier.
Poppy Red
L54
#bf2d27
1951–1970
A bright red offered intermittently across two decades.
Coral Red
L351
#8b4a3e
1956–1958
A muted terracotta red of the late 1950s.
Ruby Red
L456
#862c29
1961–1966
A deep red offered through the mid-1960s.
Kasan Red
L30B
#b62c21
1972–1973
A bright red of the early 1970s.
Phoenix Red
L32K
#f92420
1973–1975
A brilliant fire-engine red of the mid-1970s.
Mars Red
L31B
#b22e20
1977–1979
A deep red of the final air-cooled years.
About these colors:
Color names, factory paint codes, and production years are cross-referenced from established
marque references and owner registries. Hex codes are approximate digital representations of
factory paint — vintage automotive paint was never defined as a hex value, and original enamel
fades over time. True paint colors depend on age, sun exposure, refinishing history, and
production batch variation. For an accurate match, always mix by the factory paint code — not
by the on-screen swatch — and verify against an original paint chip or a professional
color-matched sample before purchasing paint for a restoration.