Red is one of those love/hate colors on cars. Often the red is applied much like lipstick on a pig, earning the epithet “Resale Red”.
Of course red is also the traditional color of Italian race cars, so it is (all too) often associated with exotica such as Ferrari. Proven here by the Testarossa in the background. I would much rather see Ferraris in other colors, and in fact the prettiest ones I have ever seen have always been something other than red. Of course the fact that despite a vast spectrum available, the vast majority of Ferraris ARE red makes choosing a beauty standing out among the sea of rosso corsa pretty easy.
If you’ll pardon the pun, my primary objection to red on cars is that the color is actually quite flat and rarely has any depth or subtlety. Compare two cars, one painted red, and the other say in a metallic maroon or silver, and the car will likely look SO much better in the latter colors. It is because of the primary color nature of flatness (shared with whites, non-glossy blacks, yellows, and blues) that makes for both the appeal, and the dislike of red on cars. To each his own I guess.
*Especially* “Guard’s Red,” which is what the Bathtub Porker is painted. It’s really more orange than red!
I too, don’t really like red on cars, for the same reasons as you. I’d *much* rather see a Ferrarfi in a nice yellow or dark blue than red (Lussos look STUNNING in Navy blue).
http://www.pvconcours.com/winners/Best%20Design%201963%20Ferrari.JPG
There are few ~true~ reds that do look nice on cars but they contain black and, weirdest of all, greens.
Go figure!