Engine color
 

Why was green chosen for engine color on Model A’s?
Just curious.
Thanks
Ken

Re: Engine color
 

I don't know, but I bet it's because Henry got a good deal from the supplier!

Re: Engine color
 

This may be complete folklore, but I had heard that left over paint was mixed together to not waste paint and the mixture, which made green, was then used for the engines. Since Henry was pretty frugal, this makes sense. Don't know if this is fact however?

Re: Engine color
 

WWI surplus olive and black fender dip gleanings, I can see it.

Re: Engine color
 

Never heard a reason, but I will say there is no evidence of them mixing random paint to create the color or using shipping crates for floorboards!

Re: Engine color
 

I think Will N nailed it

Re: Engine color
 

Studebaker engines were green because of left over WWII paint, so the same may be true for the Model A and WWI, but the mixed left overs sounds very likely.

Re: Engine color
 

Remember that engines were sprayed in alkyd enamel. Initially, the only other enamel paints used were black until the plants started painting wheels in colors other than black in 1930. Bodies were painted in nitrocellulose lacquer.

Re: Engine color
 

Back to war surplus green. Ford always looked for a bargain.

Re: Engine color
 

War surplus 10 years after the war? I hae me doubts.

Re: Engine color
 

Well, Petty Blue was the result of mixing two paint cans together, and Henry Ford was a notorious penny pincher so stretching paint seems like a good possibility.

Re: Engine color
 

Oil paint doesn't go bad if stored properly.

Re: Engine color
 

What supplier?? Ford manufactured their own paint (-which included engines).

Re: Engine color
 

Gary is correct with regard to mixing. You cannot mix lacquers into enamels for coloring.

With regard to engine paint, it takes pigments from two different primary colors to make green. The 1928-31 Model-A was not the first Ford vehicle to have a green engine. Ford also used green on the New Improved Ford.