Non-Authentic Paint Colors & Schemes
 

More and more I notice that Model "A's" are being painted in non-authentic colors and schemes. Perhaps I am more sensitive to this because I painted my Victoria in colors of my liking, not Henry Ford's.
As for paint scheme variations, I notice window reveals painted lower body color on cars that did not come from the factory that way. I also notice the top of hoods being painted upper body color, a treatment I like a lot. Perhaps the most extreme case is painting the fenders and aprons body color.

Considering barn finds, it is rare that a Model "A" is found with its original exterior colors, so the practice of repainting with non-authentic colors and schemes goes way back.

I am positive regarding deviating from Ford's factory colors and schemes. However, I am negative about using metallics and clear coats. What is your opinion?

Re: Non-Authentic Paint Colors & Schemes
 

Remember there ALWAYS is a next guy, who your widow, kids, or estate will attempt to sell your masterpiece to.

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I think the crazy colors fit hot-rods and kit cars better and keep the stock appearing vehicles in authentic colors. That's my 2 cents.

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well, Ive always felt that Henry had a pretty nice palate of colors on the A's. Never much cared for the chevies of the same period.

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Model A's bad such rich colors, I don't see any reason to deviate from them. Just my opinion. You see other car owners painting their non Model A's in Model A colors.

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My thought process was to have it run well, stop when the brakes were applied, and have a comfortable interior that looked good. The color scheme may be changed at sometime, but for now what I have will do. We can only do with what we have, and I have a nice car for the hobby.. JMO/kb

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I used the original A color from when my dad bought the car new in late 1929, Andalusite Blue. But I painted the fenders the same and used One Shot-Process Blue as the pinstripe color. It is close to original, but at the same time, not at all. I did not build it to sell or build it for showing to others. I often thought of my dad as I made my decisions on various modifications. He would be happy with it I am sure. The only one who needs to be happy with the color is you.

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Author Clive Cussler has an impressive collection of cars in a museum near Denver. One room is devoted to French cars of the 1930's. Almost all of these cars have non-stock paint jobs. Lot's of pastel two tone paint jobs. The more you look at them, the more they grow on you. This is not to say that a Tudor is in the same league as a Delahay (sp?), but it was certainly refreshing to see some genuine classics with non traditional paint.

Re: Non-Authentic Paint Colors & Schemes
 

My opinion, its your car paint it any color you want.


But, by doing so you void your right to complain when you can't sell the car for what you think it's worth.

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I was judging at a concours event when we came upon a 1920's car with a metallic paint job. The owner pitched a fit when his car did not win best in class complaining on how about how much money he spent for the paint job.

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Model T's, black only.
Model A's, not so much.
I wonder what changed Henry's mind.

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There were a lot of T's that came from the factory in colors other than black.

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I feel Edsel changed Henry's mind on this paint colors and more.

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The Model T's were painted Black as it was the fastest drying paint available at the time.

In the late 1920's fast drying lacquer paint was available, that enabled Ford to use more pleasing color schemes .

In the UK lots of pre war cars are painted white for wedding work they rent them out .
IMO they look terrible you really appreciate the color schemes that Ford used compared to them. They look so much better with the mouldings picked out in contrasting colors

Last year I saw a 29 Caddy Fordor at a show still with it's original paint it had a very similar color scheme to my original paint 29 Leatherback Fordor even the Thorne Brown was on it.

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I don't mind seeing cars in other colors, it's their car, they can paint it however they want.

However if I am painting my car, I would keep with the original colors or something close.

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Canadian and Australian Model-A's came in some pretty neat paint jobs from the factory. If you do a search here on the ..'Barn and the internet you should find some examples. One paint scheme that I remember from the late 60's early 70's on antique/classic cars that I did not particularly like is: brown fenders, tan bodies and orange wheels. Back in the late 80's I had a '30 "A" town sedan painted this way. I traded a VW 'Thing' for it and it already had the tan/brown/orange scheme on it.:o I did not keep the car long.:)


Bob-A:D

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I find it hard to improve on the original paint colors. This opinion coming from someone who still works at the same business started 45 years ago, married to the same woman over 40 years and living on proprty that has been in our family since before the Civil War.

I am not a purist, you would know this if I explained what's hidden inside my engine and the running gear. I just prefer original colors.

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With color fading with age and sun light it is impossible to determine the exact factory colors. But this is not an excuse to not try to duplicate the original color. This is why you will see so many shades of green and blue on Model As. This is fine, it is what the hobby is all about. But, if you want to paint your fenders some color other than black or a color that can't be named in the Paint & Finish Guide, don't expect to get the highest prices that a Model A traditionalist (like myself) will pay. I look at a car with non-factory colors as a needed re-paint! Just my take. Ed

Re: Non-Authentic Paint Colors & Schemes
 

It is amusing that many of the responses to this post are the opinions of purists. I kind of expected lots of negative responses.
There is a recurring theme to this post that a Model "A" is devalued by non-authentic paint colors. ???? There is no way a current / recent thorough restoration will recoup its cost regardless of its colors. As for what a Model "A" is worth, that's in the eyes of the beholder.
The public and club member reactions to the colors of my 190A have been lots and all favorable.
Here's a twist. If I paint a company logo on the doors of my 190A, its colors will be correct a commercial special order.

Re: Non-Authentic Paint Colors & Schemes
 

I side with Dave and Gary on this topic.

The original colors fit the body styles. They look better to my eye done original, not painted up like some kind of clown car or college football mascot kinda thing. Leave that for the Shriners.

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Bob has a good point, many traditionalists have given opinions & they believe it devalues a car with non original paint schemes, which I think is somewhat debateable. I am a purist but would not be put off by paint [ unless vivid green, red or yellow!] but am put off by so called úpgrades' to the chassis or mechanicals.
I can remember many Model A's here painted in one overall colour [ fenders same as body] which was fashionable after the War & to me looks good.

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As you can see by my avatar, I have a non-stock paint color selection on my coupe. I get many compliments about the color scheme and have never had anyone ask if it's an original color. The red is not gaudy, but it sure is red. I bought the car this way - I don't know what I might have done if faced with the choice when restoring a car. I think it's fair to consider colors that were available in the era - although maybe not chosen by Edsel/Henry. I'm dead set against metallic paint, however!! JMHO!!!

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What is an authentic colour? Cars came from the factory here in colours not available in the US. Model Ts for example, came in about 6 different colours, not just black. I expect other countries would have been different again.

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Authentic colors for the Model A Made in the USA have been researched many times over by the years & body styles as they came off the line..This is right from the factory records.. In your country & others that may have been different, do some research on it.. P.S. Not all Model T Fords were Black here either..

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We went with a non standard set of colors. We like it.

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There already has been & have appeared on this site. The colours from the original brochures have been reproduced in Australia for a few years. They were available on 'Sports' [Deluxe] cars which were not the same as Deluxe types in the US or Canada. It was a continuation of 'Deluxe' Model T's which did not come in black in Australia.

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As long as the fenders are painted Black and they stay away from metallic colors I’m okay with it. To me nothing ruins the looks of an otherwise stock Model A than non Black fenders.

Re: Non-Authentic Paint Colors & Schemes
 

Bob,
I don't understand the purpose or intent of your original posed question. which was: I am positive regarding deviating from Ford's factory colors and schemes. However, I am negative about using metallics and clear coats. What is your opinion?

You ask for opinions but when opinions arrive contrary to your stated preference, you label the posters as "purists" and seem to be amused while discounting their preference. I could understand why you may do this if someone said your car looked out of place or wrong but no one has said that. The way I read the offered opinions is that they are just individual opinions preferring original colors and not meant to be disparaging to your choice of how you painted your car.
I am not trying to be confrontational, I am just trying to understand how stating an opinion lumps many of us into a class of purists whose opinions are not valid. What information were you searching/hoping for with the original post.
Good Day!
Dave in MN (Dave Gerold)

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Frankly, I value the opinions of "purists". They have done their research and know what they want, without asking for opinions of those that haven't. :cool:

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wow you guys just wow

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Mr.Edsel

Re: Non-Authentic Paint Colors & Schemes
 

I’m with you on this one!

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In my opinion, when you stand back and look at your car and you have a big smile, then I think that is what matters.

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Not addressed here so far, are the cars that are painted “colors reversed.” There are some very authentic-looking cars that have the dark color on the bottom and the light color on the top and some have the same colors the reverse of that..
Either way, most of us will not encourage you to kick your car out of the garage.

Re: Non-Authentic Paint Colors & Schemes
 

Fun is what it's all about!

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My Father always said to me always stick with the original colours
His reasoning was that the manufacturer employed a lot of people to design the colour schemes of their cars . He felt you where unlikely to do a better job and that even if you did it would still look "wrong" as people subconsciously associated the original colour schemes with the model . I guess people always think they can do it better and that's the basis of the whole hot rod movement . Personally I don't want a hot rod

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Wait a minute, you asked for opinion, you colored the asking for opinions in red, and now your pitching on the opinions you received?

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This may be a silly question but; are there records of what colors were used on a specific car?

I was thinking there would be a series of assembled cars sprayed the same color or each assembly line gets a specific color to use.



My car was painted a non standard color and I do not intend to change it because it is the history of the car for now but I would entertain any number of colors from original to the green my uncle painted it in 1966-1967.

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While yes after 1914 and before 1926 all T's were painted black because the paint dried faster. That is only part of the story. With the high volume of T's being made there really wasn't time to paint other colors. Remember also, that for most of those years, paint was not sprayed on. Parts were dipped and the body paint was hosed on so for the body you would have had to have several different painting lines, one for each color. Also, with all the wood structure till 1926 models, cars could not be oven dried like fenders, hood etc.

As afar as non original colors on an A. It's your car enjoy it as you like. Personally I find the original colors for the most part are not that great. With the falling number of people going for high points restorations and age changing demographics, brighter colors might have an advantage. Like the colors on Bob's and that red/black coupe.

Signed me;
redmodelt :)

Re: Non-Authentic Paint Colors & Schemes
 

DNL,


To date no records have surfaced indicating vin number & color.


Imagine the assembly line and Mr. Ford buying paint by the drum or tanker load. Much easier to paint a batch of bodies one color combo, clean equipment and paint another batch a different color and so forth.


Custom color request, no problem, just $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.