Surinam Metallic

Surinam Red Metallic (LA3Y) is a deep, dark metallic red named for the South American nation of Suriname, whose tropical associations influenced color naming conventions of the transaxle era. The hex places it in a very dark, near-maroon register. Clark's Garage 944 production data confirms it as one of the 1982 944's special color options alongside Ihasa Green Metallic, Meteor Grey Metallic, and Diamond Silver Metallic. It also appeared on the 924/931 in 1982. As a deep red metallic in the dark, somber palette of the early 1980s, it suited the 944's sleek, wedge-form body particularly well, offering a premium and distinguished red alternative to the brighter Guards Red that dominated most Porsche sales. Its two-paint-can rarity reflects how infrequently it was chosen — the early 944 buyer demographic tended toward more conservative choices, and a dark metallic red in 1982 was already a notably unusual selection. Surviving examples command collector interest precisely because of how few were originally specified.