From the Les Paul to the Flying V and Explorer, there’s something for everyone in this Gibson Exclusive collection
British Racing Green has been used for decades on sports cars and race cars from some of the world’s top auto manufacturers. The color is perhaps most famously featured on Steve McQueen’s 1956 Jaguar XKSS, in which he famously cruised the streets of Los Angeles, California, with the convertible top down. Gibson has a long history of utilizing automotive paints on models such as the Firebird™ and SG™. One of the last frontiers of bringing famed car finishes to the Gibson portfolio is British Racing Green.
One of the most popular Gibson Custom Select models from the past year has been the 1957 Les Paul™ Standard Reissue finished in British Racing Green. Due to the great demand for this color, it was clear that this finish needed to be brought to the Gibson USA craftory. The British Racing Green paint used at Gibson Custom was brought over and tested on prototype models at Gibson USA, although the resulting green hue is slightly different due to the slight differences in lacquer and toner used by each craftory.
Les Paul Standard models in all three flavors
It was easy to choose the first models from the Gibson USA craftory that would feature British Racing Green. The tried-and-true Gibson Les Paul Standard platform has been featured in many finishes over the past couple of years. From the Custom Color series, which showcased finishes like Sparkling Burgundy and Pelham Blue, to various shades of the sunburst finish, the Les Paul Standard is by far the most popular platform for a custom finish.
The Original Collection fits the aesthetic of the best in the Les Paul Standard 50s P-90, the Les Paul Standard 50s, and the Les Paul Standard 60s. All three of these guitars feature a Dark Walnut back, which plays nicely with the metallic green top. This color combination evokes the British Racing Green paint job paired the a dark leather interior you might find on a classic sports car. Cream plastics are featured across the three models, which give a classy contrast in warm tones. It’s important to note that this is only the third optional finish that has been available on the Les Paul Standard 50s P-90, which previously was only offered in Goldtop and Vintage Sunburst finishes. This is not the case for the other two models, which have seen the lion’s share of unique finish options.
Firebird Platypus
Given the long association between Gibson and automotive finishes via the Firebird model, it makes sense that the Firebird™ Platypus would also receive a British Racing Green finish. Ray Dietrich, the famous automobile designer, designed the Firebird, which explains its non-traditional curves and lines, inspired by the curvy fender flares, tailfins, and chrome accents popular on cars of the late 1950s and early 1960s. And because the Firebird was a new guitar shape that wasn’t tied to a traditional finish, it opened the door to experimental new finish options. In the 1960s, the Firebird was offered in legendary custom colors, such as Ember Red, Kerry Green, Inverness Green, and Frost Blue. When discussing which models should be featured in British Racing Green at Gibson USA, the Firebird was at the top of the list due to its close association with these custom colors. This is the only Gibson Firebird Platypus available in a metallic finish, and you can only find it at Gibson.
SG Standard ’61
Like the Les Paul Standard platforms, the SG Standard ’61 has been available in many different finishes over the past couple of years. Many of these finishes came over from the Les Paul Standard Custom Color series, as well as other finishes like Silver Mist and Translucent Teal. The SG Standard ’61 lends itself nicely to metallic finishes thanks to its striking angles and its all-mahogany body construction. With historical models produced in custom colors in the early 1960s, the SG Standard was another top candidate to receive this new finish at Gibson USA.
Flying V 70s and Explorer 80s
The Flying V™ 70s and Explorer™ 80s haven’t been utilized as much as the Les Paul Standard and SG Standard ’61 for customized color changes. These cult models tend to be offered in standard core colors with refreshed color changes that shift through the years. This British Racing Green finish marks the first time that either of these core models has received a metallic finish. The Flying V and Explorer both epitomize the rock ’n’ roll spirit, which complements the British Racing Green aesthetic. Both models are available in other finishes, including Classic White, Antique Natural, and Ebony… but they were long overdue for a glow-up in a flashy, metallic finish like British Racing Green.
Shop the British Racing Green Collection and keep checking back to see if your favorite guitar will become available in an exclusive finish that you can only find at Gibson.
