The sets were delivered in lined green with speed whiskers. They had grey/silver roofs, with the cab dome painted white. In time yellow panels replaced the speed whiskers, and corporate rail blue with yellow ends appeared in the late '60s. In the early '80s dome power cars appeared with red buffer beams and white cab roofs, and some had the BR double arrow on the headcode box.

In 1983 51591 was repainted into lined green with full yellow ends, with whiskers edged in black, red buffer beams (back and front), cream white roof, and crests. It was fitted with a plaque which read "The first unit 1959-83 1,250,000 miles at St. Pancras - Bedford - St. Pancras". It wasn't until the last few months of service that blue/grey appeared, and this was only on some trailers in anticipation of them being transferred to Tysley.