Carmine / Magnetic Red C5 Club

Magnetic Red Paint Codes
When is red not really red? When General Motors decides to change the formula for a popular color, and then doesn't get the changeover done in time for a new model year, that's when! The intention was to change the formula / painting process for the 2000 model year. However, it seems that the new paint system was not completely ready. Rather than delay production, they produced some early model year 2000 cars with the older Magnetic Red paint rather than the new Magnetic Red II. This can certainly be confusing!

So, if you have a 2000 model year with color code 86U on your build sheet, you should also check your paint code to be sure which color you have. Thanks to My99MagRed and the info on his web site for the following info, reproduced here.

Carmine Red (1997 - 1998)
Order RPO is to be filled in
WA number is to be filled in
GM Touchup Paint Number is to be filled in

Magnetic Red (1999 and early 2000)
Order RPO is 86U
WA number is WA127B
GM Touchup Paint number is 12346365

Magnetic Red II (most 2000, all 2001)
Order RPO is 86U
WA number is WA379E
GM Touchup Paint number is 12371339

So, in the horrible event that you are forced to try to match your paint, don't trust the order code. Check out the WA paint code found on the options label, generally found printed on the back of the cargo cover in the back.

Questions, comments, suggestions? Let me know
Last site update: September 16, 2001