The Definitive Guide to Mopar High Impact Colors

Mar 13, 2021 • Guides • Comment icon 5 Comments
Mopar High Impact Colors Graphic

Arguably, no other auto manufacturer holds a candle to the creativity and catchiness found at Chrysler regarding automotive paint colors and names. 

Debuting in 1969 and lasting until 1973, Dodge and Plymouth motor divisions began offering bright and vibrant paint colors—Mopar High Impact Colors—on their respective muscle car models.

While a 440 Six Pack or 426 Hemi was the ultimate statement, these eye-popping paint colors had one purpose: attracting young buyers looking to make a statement with the exterior of their muscle car.

Mopar High Impact Colors

Mopar High Impact Colors Paint Chip Cuda from Wellborn MuscleCar Museum
Plymouth Paint Chip Cuda Banner Showing Many of the High Impact Colors available in 1970. Photo: Wellborn MuscleCar Museum

Technically speaking, Dodge categorized its paint colors as “High-Performance Colors,” while Plymouth labeled them “High Impact Colors.” While incorrect, the general public often refers to these radical colors from both motor divisions as High Impact Colors.

Dodge and Plymouth both used different names for the same colors.

However, they shared the same paint codes, and it isn’t uncommon for a paint color name from one motor division to incorrectly identify another motor division’s color name. 

For example, someone may mistakenly refer to the color of a Plymouth ‘Cuda as “Hemi Orange” when technically that was a name Dodge used.

Let’s take a closer look at the wide spectrum of unique Mopar paint colors in alphabetical order, shall we?

EF6 Bright Green/Rallye Green

Photo of a Bright Green 1969 1/2 Dodge Super Bee A12
Bright Green 1969 1/2 Dodge Super Bee A12 Photo: Mecum Auctions

In the spring of 1969, both Dodge and Plymouth debuted one of the first and arguably one of the rarest High Impact options. Only available on a limited production run, Dodge named it Bright Green, while at Plymouth, it was called Rallye Green. No matter which name it goes by, EF6 is a rare and desirable color. 

EK2 Go Mango/Vitamin C

Photo of a Go Mango 1970 Dodge Charger RT
Go Mango 1970 Dodge Charger R/T Photo: Mecum Auctions

In 1969 and 1970, the vibrant EK2 orange paint color was available in two fruit-inspired names: Go-Mango at Dodge and Vitamin C at Plymouth. EK2 was an attractive color option, no matter how you sliced it. 

EL5 Butterscotch/Bahama Yellow

Photo of a Butterscotch 1971 Dodge Demon GSS
Butterscotch 1971 Dodge Demon GSS Photo: Mecum Auctions

From 1969 to 1971, ELS was a distinctive and stunning yellow color. While it was the darkest of the yellow High Impact options available, it still held its own as a vibrant color choice in the Mopar color palette. Dodge called it Butterscotch, while Plymouth named it Bahama Yellow. 

EV2 Hemi Orange/Tor Red

Phtoto of a Tor Red 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner
Tor Red 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Photo: Mecum Auctions

Available from 1969 through 1972, the EV2 paint option had an identity crisis. You got Hemi Orange at Dodge or Tor Red at Plymouth when this option was selected. Confusing or not, this was a popular High Impact color. Additionally, Dodge and Plymouth agreed to use the term “Hemi Orange” to identify their respective engine colors. 

FC7 Plum Crazy/In-Violet

Photo of a Plum Crazy 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi
Plum Crazy 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi Photo: Mecum Auctions

In 1970 and 1971, Dodge labeled its regal purple paint color Plum Crazy while Plymouth used In-Violet. It isn’t uncommon to hear car show folk refer to this color as Plum Crazy, regardless of whether it’s on a Charger or a Roadrunner.

FJ5 Sublime Green/Limelight

Photo of a Sublime 1970 Dodge Super Bee
Sublime 1970 Dodge Super Bee Photo: Mecum Auctions

This toxic yellow-green color was available exclusively in 1970, one of the most radical and vivid High Impact colors ever offered. Using a citrus theme, Dodge called this Sublime Green, while Plymouth named it Limelight. There was no mistaking this color as being uniquely Mopar. 

FJ6 Green Go/Sassy Grass

Photo of a Sassy Green 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda
Sassy Green 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda Photo: Mecum Auctions

In 1970 and 1971, when you selected the FJ6 green paint code, you got Green Go at Dodge or Sassy Grass at Plymouth. FJ6 was slightly deeper in tone compared to its FJ5 counterpart. 

FM3 Panther Pink/Moulin Rouge

Photo of a Moulin Rouge 1970 Plymouth Duster
Moulin Rouge 1970 Plymouth Duster Photo: Mecum Auctions

A bold and unusual choice, the pink FM3 paint code option was one of the most loved and hated Mopar colors ever. FM3 was available in the spring of 1970 and was a special order option in 1971. Because it wasn’t a popular choice at first, dealers were said to have repainted FM3 vehicles to help get them off their lots. Dodge named it Panther Pink, a rift on Peter Sellers’ 1963 Pink Panther movie. Plymouth opted for Moulin Rouge, referring to the infamous cabaret in Paris, France. 

FY1 Top Banana/Lemon Twist

Photo of a Lemon Twist 1970 Plymouth Superbird
Lemon Twist 1970 Plymouth Superbird Photo: Mecum Auctions

From 1970 to 1974, this vibrant yellow paint color was available in two fruit-inspired names: Top Banana at Dodge and Lemon Twist at Plymouth.

GY3 Citron Yella/Curious Yellow

Photo of a Curious Yellow 1971 Plymouth GTX
Curious Yellow 1971 Plymouth GTX Photo: Mecum Auctions

A one-year-only paint color option in 1971, GY3 was between yellow and green, depending on the time of day. Dodge called it Citron Yella, which references the yellow Citron fruit. Plymouth named it Curious Yellow, which became controversial due to the 1967 Swedish erotic drama “I Am Curious (Yellow)” film’s reference. 

High Performance/High Impact Colors Chart

Paint CodeDodgePlymouthYears
EF6Bright GreenRallye GreenSpring 1969
EK2Go MangoVitamin C1969
1970
EL5ButterscotchBahama Yellow1969
1970
1971
EV2Hemi OrangeTor Red1969
1970
1971
1972
FC7Plum CrazyIn-Violet1970
1971
FJ5SublimeLime Light1970
FJ6Green GoSassy Grass1970
1971
FM3Panther PinkMoulin Rouge1970
1971
FY1Top BananaLemon Twist1970
1971
1972
1973
GY3Citron YellaCurious Yellow1971

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Author Photo

Ryan Wheaton

Ryan has owned muscle cars since 1986 and currently owns a 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye. He combines passion and experience to create engaging content for fellow muscle car enthusiasts. In 2018, he founded Muscle Cars Illustrated, authoring hundreds of articles on tips, history, and trends in the muscle car industry. He attends national car shows, auctions, and museums to stay current with the latest developments in the muscle car industry.

Comments

  1. Larry Hoyt says:

    GY3 Citron Yella/Curious Yellow 1971. I have a 74 Plymouth Duster painted GY3. (Color looks exactly like the photo). I have searched high and low for touch up paint and have purchased from two different sources who advertise Y3/GY3, 1971. Neither of the aerosol paint (s) are close to a match of my car’s color. They match each other but have too much yellow and not enough green tint. I have to wonder if somewhere the formula for the 1971 color was changed or lost. Any help solving this mystery would be greatly appreciated.

    1. Jimmy says:

      The paint mix you got is not aged to suit.
      Light and aging changes the original paint (up to 50 yrs?) which more than likely has different chemical materials. Not water based. Yes original formulae are lost over decades. However an expert will get a match by using experience not a chart in daylight next to your car- at a price. Primer colour alters final effect.

  2. David Schubert says:

    Loved the B5 Blue.Ordered it on my 72 Charger Rally .Beautiful!Bought a new 2009 Hemi Orange RT Challenger.Have always thought it was the signature color for the Challenger.

  3. Derek Nicol (uk) says:

    Sassy Grass has to be the best name for a colour (color) ever.. Plum Crazy a very close 2nd. Its sad that all cars are monochrome white through grey to black now.

  4. clas strid says:

    jag har en 1970 challenger som ska vara lackad med fj5 men nu är gul

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