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I've noticed that there are two different maroon/burgundy/dark red colors used on HHRs. Mine is a brighter flashier color while the other dark red is darker and more subdued. According to the RPO codes, mine is RPO GBE which is listed as "Crystal Claret". Were both colors used in the same years or did one color replace the other?
Here's mine on a sunny day. Note how light the red is compared to the darker red of some HHRs.
I just find it odd that Chevrolet would offer two different colors that were so similar on the same car in the same year.
I think the reason was one of those dark reds was a "premium" color, or a metallic type paint I believe. Also carried a $400 premium upgrade to the sticker price. Not odd, just GM giving the new car buyers an option when it came to color choice.
What is odd is that Chevrolet never offered the HHR SS in a white color. You could get a regular HHR in white but not a SS.
Can't recall any other Chevrolet performance car that you couldn't get in white.
Was the Crystal Claret metallic the dark or light color? Was it or the Merlot Jewel paint the more expensive option? I see more of the dark red ones around here than the brighter red ones.
I have one of the darker ones. Mine is called Cardinal Red Metallic, paint code 79U on a 2008 Chevy HHR 2LT.
Here is a picture of a before and after headlight replacement comparison photo. You can see that sometimes it looks even darker than usual in the "before" portion and then shows the normal color in the other half.
Here is a full view, taken just a couple days ago on the "sunny side." It was sunny at the time but a storm was coming in. I had just finished my wax job and was racing the rain to get that shiny pic!
Edit: and then my sig pic below was the "shady side" on the same day vvvvvv
Can't figure if this is Cardinal Red or Merlot Jewel. Both are color code 79U
My HHR is 2008. the color code (79U) says it's Merlot Jewel Metallic Clear coat. From what I've seen, it may be rare. My Wife turned into a pole and messed up the door. I bought one from Pull a paet that I thought was the same color. After I got it on the car, it was a slight shade darker.
The 2008 only shows Victory Red. Mine is Merlot Jewel Metallic Clear coat. (79U)
Could Cardinal Red and Merlot Jewel Metallic Clear coat be the same color? They are both listed as 79U. I thought mine was Merlot Jewel Metallic Clear coat but now I'm not sure. It looks like the bottom pic.
Last edited by Charles Buddy Beaven; 12-22-2018 at 08:23 PM.
Reason: To show picture.
A body/paint shop would be a better place for that sort of question. Good one have computer matching machines.
Of course reading the text might help:
from #7
"I have one of the darker ones. Mine is called Cardinal Red Metallic, paint code 79U on a 2008 Chevy HHR 2LT.
Here is a picture of a before and after headlight replacement comparison photo. You can see that sometimes it looks even darker than usual in the "before" portion and then shows the normal color in the other half."
My victory red 2011 looked entirely different under the show room fluorescents lights.
I too have a 2008 Merlot Jewel Metallic daily driver. I saw a junkyard had a rear liftgate with the spoiler for $75, it was a 2009 maroon. Something just did not quite look right, yup it was crystal claret tricoat. Luckily I did the research before heading out there. Here are a couple good links
02-09-2016, 06:11 AM
