944 Paint Codes – 2.5L NA

Overview

This procedure helps you identify the paint codes for your Porsche 944 (8-valve engine variants) to ensure accurate color matching for touch-ups, repaints, or restoration. Knowing the correct paint code is essential for maintaining the vehicle’s original appearance or selecting a special color for customization. This guide covers the paint codes for the 1983–1985.5 (pre-1985.5) and 1985.5–1988 (1985.5 onwards) model years, specific to the 8-valve engine variants.

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Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Locate the Paint Code

1. Find the paint code sticker on your Porsche 944. It is typically located on the trunk lid, inside the luggage compartment, or on the driver’s side door jamb.
2. Look for a white sticker with black text that includes a three- or four-character code (e.g., LM 3A or L 041). This is the paint code.
3. Note the code exactly as it appears, including the prefix (e.g., L, LM, LY, LA, LB, LZ).

Step 2: Identify the Model Year

4. Confirm your vehicle’s model year by checking the vehicle identification number (VIN) or registration documents. The 10th digit of the VIN indicates the model year (e.g., D for 1983, E for 1984, F for 1985, G for 1986, H for 1987, J for 1988).
5. Determine if your vehicle is pre-1985.5 or 1985.5 onwards:

(Pre-85.5) Covers early 1983 to mid-1985 models, typically with older interior designs and mechanical components.

(85.5 Onwards) Covers mid-1985 to 1988 models, featuring updated dashboards and minor mechanical changes.

Step 3: Match the Paint Code to the Color

6. Use the paint code and model year to identify the color from the list below, specific to the Porsche 944 (2.5L NA engine). Only standard and special colors available for the 1983–1988 model years are included.
7. (Pre-85.5) For 1983–mid-1985 models:
   • 1983 Standard Colors: Guards Red (LM 3A), Black (LO 41), Alpine White (L 90E), Copenhagen Blue (LY 5B), Pasadena Yellow (LY 1L).
   • 1983 Special Colors: Platinum Metallic (LM 8U), Moss Green Metallic (LM 6V), Light Bronze Metallic (LM 1V), Sapphire Metallic (LY 5V), Montego Black Metallic (LY 9V), Sienna Red Metallic (LD 3V), Gemini Grey Metallic (LZ 7Z), Zermatt Silver Metallic (LY 7Y), Sable Brown Metallic (LY 8V).
   • 1984 Standard Colors: India Red (LM 3A), Black (LO 41), Alpine White (L 90E), Copenhagen Blue (LY 5B), Pasadena Yellow (LY 1L).
   • 1984 Special Colors: Platinum Metallic (LM 8U), Light Bronze Metallic (LM 1V), Sapphire Metallic (LY 5V), Montego Black Metallic (LY 9V), Ruby Red Metallic (LM 3V), Gemini Gray Metallic (LZ 7Z), Zermatt Metallic (LY 7Y), Sobel Metallic (LY 8V).
   • 1985 (Pre-85.5) Standard Colors: India Red (LM 3A), Black (L 041), Alpine White (L 90E), Copenhagen Blue (LY 5B), Pastell Beige (LM 1N).
   • 1985 (Pre-85.5) Special Colors: Sapphire Metallic (LY 5V), Mahogany Brown Metallic (LB 8Z), Crystal Green Metallic (LM 6Y), Granate Red Metallic (LM 3Y), Kalahari Beige Metallic (LA 1Y), Slate Gray Metallic (LY 7U), Zermatt Metallic (LY 7Y), Graphite Metallic (LB 7V).
8. (85.5 Onwards) For mid-1985–1988 models:
   • 1985 (85.5 Onwards) Standard Colors: India Red (LM 3A), Black (L 041), Alpine White (L 90E), Copenhagen Blue (LY 5B), Pastel Beige (LM 1N).
   • 1985 (85.5 Onwards) Special Colors: Sapphire Metallic (LY 5V), Mahogany Brown Metallic (LB 8Z), Crystal Green Metallic (LM 6Y), Garnet Red Metallic (LM 3Y), Kalahari Beige Metallic (LA 1Y), Slate Grey Metallic (LY 7U), Zermatt Silver Metallic (LY 7Y), Graphite Metallic (LB 7V).
   • 1986 Standard Colors: India Red (LM 3A), Black (L 041), Alpine White (L 90E), Copenhagen Blue (LY 5B), Pastel Beige (LM 1N).
   • 1986 Special Colors: Sapphire Metallic (LY 5V), Mahogany Brown Metallic (LB 8Z), Crystal Green Metallic (LM 6Y), Garnet Red Metallic (LM 3Y), Kalahari Beige Metallic (LA 1Y), Slate Grey Metallic (LY 7U), Zermatt Silver Metallic (LY 7Y), Graphite Metallic (LB 7V), Pearl White Metallic (LO A9).
   • 1987 Standard Colors: Black (L 041), Alpine White (L 90E), Lemon Yellow (L MIA), Azurite Blue (L Y5d), Malven Red (L Y3E), India Red (L M3A).
   • 1987 Special Colors: Zermatt Silver Metallic (L Y7Y), Slate Grey Metallic (L Y7U), Satin Black Metallic (L Y9Y), Nautic Metallic (L Y5Z), Flamingo Metallic (L Y4Z), Maraschino Red Metallic (L Y3V), Almond Beige Metallic (L YIY), Nile Green Metallic (L Y6Y), Diamond Blue Metallic (L M5U), Nougat Brown Metallic (L M8V).
   • 1988 Standard Colors: Black (L 041), Alpine White (L 90E), Azurite Blue (L Y5D), India Red (L M3A).
   • 1988 Special Colors: Zermatt Silver Metallic (L Y7Y), Slate Grey Metallic (L Y7U), Satin Black Metallic (L Y9Y), Nautic Metallic (L Y5Z), Maraschino Red Metallic (L Y3V), Nile Green Metallic (L Y6Y), Almond Beige Metallic (L Y1Y), Nougat Brown Metallic (L M8V).

Step 4: Verify and Source Paint

9. Contact a Porsche dealership or an automotive paint supplier with the paint code and color name to confirm availability.
10. Request the exact paint formula for your code, as some colors (e.g., metallics) require specific mixing ratios.
11. If ordering paint for touch-ups, specify whether you need spray cans, bottles, or bulk paint for professional application.

Post Procedure Checklist

• Verify that the paint code matches the color name for your model year.
• Ensure the paint supplier confirms the formula is correct for your Porsche 944 (2.5L NA engine).
• Double-check the model year and pre-1985.5 or 1985.5-onwards designation to avoid mismatched colors.

Sources

• Clark’s Garage
• Pelican Parts
• Porsche 944 Workshop Manual, Volume 1
• Youtube