40 ford standard dash color?

[busmania]

My 40 standard 5 window (business coupe I think...2 jump seats in back). Someone painted the inside a baby blue...probably in the 50s. I had the dash sand blasted. What color would it have originally been? Black or dark brown? The car is black with original paint...or what's left anyway.

Not looking for stock necessarily but I would like to know what it was so that I can consider it.

Thank you!

[19Fordy]

1940 Ford Standard dash OEM color was Briarwood Brown. It is a very dark brown color, not a light brown color. Here's a BOB DRAKE add saying he sells it. I don't know the "exactness" of the color. Not cheap.
https://bobdrake.com/products/1940-s...riarwood-brown
Here's a very informative post on the topic.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/print...?t=93325&pp=40

I wonder if you could mix in add another paint color (BLACK?) to make this darker?
Price is per quart. Sure would be cheaper than a little spray can.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/31473770836...Cclp%3A4429486

[busmania]

Cool. Possible to find paint codes anywhere?

Speaking of dashes. I bought a restored cluster. The speedo is different and I don’t see many online like my original. Just curious as to when/why the different speedo? See photo. Thanks!

D4B15DA8-F4F4-427C-B688-50286170A1B5.jpg

[19Fordy]

The (above) instrument cluster on the right looks to be a homemade mix of different model components and colors. Notice the Standard cluster uses a chrome "surround" while the DeLuxe does not.
The center speedometer gauge is a 1940 DeLuxe mounted in an incorrectly painted faceplate along with other gauges look like Standard gauges.

Here's another excellent thread on this topic with photos..
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...rument+cluster

[Seth Swoboda]

I have a paint formula for Briarwood Brown. As does Kube.

If you are interested in making your '40 Ford original, I suggest the new 1940 Ford book that the Early Ford V8 Club sells. It is a must have and will answer a lot of your questions.

[JayChicago]

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Here is a pic of a standard instrument panel restored by Kube:

[19Fordy]

Jay: That's a truly beautiful job by "Kube". Can't be beat.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by JayChicago

Here is a pic of a standard instrument panel restored by Kube:

[JayChicago]

busmania, the restored instrument cluster in post #3 looks correct to my eye.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by JayChicago

busmania, the restored instrument cluster in post #3 looks correct to my eye.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by busmania

My 40 standard 5 window (business coupe I think...2 jump seats in back). Someone painted the inside a baby blue...probably in the 50s. I had the dash sand blasted. What color would it have originally been? Black or dark brown? The car is black with original paint...or what's left anyway.

Not looking for stock necessarily but I would like to know what it was so that I can consider it.

Thank you!

My thoughts? If you are going to the trouble of refinishing your instrument panel, why not do it in the correct color?
I have the formula if you like.

[busmania]

Yes, I’d most definitely be interested in the color as I am leaning that direction. Pm me the info if possible? Thank you!

[Kube]

Originally Posted by busmania

yes, i’d most definitely be interested in the color as i am leaning that direction. Pm me the info if possible? Thank you!

sent

[Krylon32]

My 40 standard dash, steering wheel and garnish moldings are a brown that's close. My instrument cluster looks just like the one on the left. I recently had to replace the volt meter and could only find a nos deluxe. The local old car shop that changed the gauge was able to switch faces so it looked correct.

[busmania]

Any thoughts on ditching the volt gauge and installing a second temp gauge so I can monitors both sides? A volt guage is pretty useless imo (unless I’m missing something ). multiple Millie.

Also, if the dash is brown, what about the rest of the exposed metal parts in the interior (like the metal headliner pieces etc). Black or brown?

[Kube]

Originally Posted by busmania

Any thoughts on ditching the volt gauge and installing a second temp gauge so I can monitors both sides? A volt guage is pretty useless imo (unless I’m missing something ). multiple Millie.

Also, if the dash is brown, what about the rest of the exposed metal parts in the interior (like the metal headliner pieces etc). Black or brown?

Metal headliner pieces? Do you mean the bows? The grip strips above the doors? If so, they were all dipped in black paint at the factory.

[19Fordy]

Best to keep the voltage gauge so you can monitor your charging system.

Not sure what you mean by headliner pieces but, if you're referring to the metal moldings that fit around the windshield and rest of the windows, they were all originally wood grained. Some folks even chromed them "back in the day."

[busmania]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Best to keep the voltage gauge so you can monitor your charging system.

Not sure what you mean by headliner pieces but, if you're referring to the metal moldings that fit around the windshield and rest of the windows, they were all originally wood grained. Some folks even chromed them "back in the day."

Yes, sorry, the window trim pieces. They were woodgrained even on a standard with brown dash? Mine all seem to be a tan color that maybe went with the headliner? Of course someone could have painted them over the years.

[Kube]

Here's a few interior photos of four '40 Ford V8's I'd restored. Do they help?

[19Fordy]

Yes, the Standard window trim pieces had wood grain finish. If you're not "going stock" Briarwood Brown would look great.
Also, the retaining screws for these pieces were slotted screws, not Phillips.