clear/top coat differences

Hi I was just wondering what the difference is in the various types of top/clear coats for example a candy top coat nad a pearl top coat I am looking for a 1972-1974 duster that when or if I get one if it is in good condition so that I don't have to spend much money getting it back in top shape then I would like to paint it "plum crazy" I like that color but it looks too flat to me I would like something to add some depth to it from what little I know of top coats a purple candy or purple pearl top coat might be able to do this but what would the difference be and is there a different alternative?

Kandys and Pearls are very different, in a nutshell a Kandy is a tinted clear so if you put it over Plum Crazy it would only be a deeper Purple. PEarls, Flakes and so on are actually pearlescent or metallic particles suspended in clear. These can be laid down over a base coat and then a layer of Kandy over that or just clear.
In any case I suggest you stop at a local Auto paint store and browse the paint chip books. If they have one the House of Kolors chip book will really illsutrate waht can be done with kandys and pearls