This is probably a topic that’s been done to death (I did search. I promise).
I will be painting my deluxe soon and want to go a very dark blue (just shy of black- any suggestions appreciated.)
I do want it fairly period correct and not too modern (although not too worried about original bmc colours) and had always thought a solid colour would be the go, but am worried a dark blue may be dull and daggy in time if not metallic.
Btw- at the moment the mercedes lunar blue is my pick

It's each to their own on whether a mini 'should' or 'should not' be painted in a metallic colour - it's your car, do what you want!
Minis were painted in metallic colours by the factory, but for the most part this wasn't till the later rovers of the 90s.

I've found the colours most likely to date over time when in metallics are lighter ones - whites, yellows, lime greens, where as a dark blue, grey, green or black will always look good provided they're suitably maintained.

If you're having trouble deciding it may be worth having a shop do a spray out of the colour you're thinking of as both the metallic and the closest solid colour.
You may also consider your budget for the paint job too - a more budget restricted job could be better done as a solid colour so that if any touch ups are needed in the future the colour matching would be easier. Metallics might be more suited to a more expensive paint job where the car is painted inside and out, or in cases where the car will be sheltered to keep the paint looking its best.

Jaguar, Aston Martin etc all had nice dark blue metallic colours in the 60’s

Eg
https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Detai ... 2-race-car

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In case you aren’t aware the list of BMC and Leyland Australia factory colours is here - viewtopic.php?f=25&t=66469

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

What paint type will you be using meaning 2k or Acrylic?

If you are painting this yourself at home then I would be using Acrylic due to the safety issues of the Isocyanates in 2k hardeners as well as the overspray which travels for some distance before drying.

How well the colour lasts with either will depend on many variables including the paint quality as well as how the car is stored and maintained.

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1986 Mayfair (998 auto), 1974 S, 1974 Van, 1972 PMG Van

Test... Don't Guess

Thanks for the replies everyone. That Jag colour is spot on what I’m looking for- any idea of what the code is??
Regarding type of paint, I’m not sure- was going to do it myself in acrylic, but may shell out for someone to do it in 2K

It says “Jaguar sapphire metallic blue” but there looks to be a few different versions of that colour

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