Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Why did Ford make the Model A station Wagon in only one color choice? :confused:
I can't think of any other models (body styles) that were limited to only one color.:confused:

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

I just picked up Lorin Sorensen's "Famous Ford Woodies" on line recently, and in checking I find no mention of the reason. My feeling would be that Ford (Edsel himself?) thought that the Manila Brown would best compliment the tones of the wood.
As a side note Murray contracted with Ford to build the bodies at a cost of $203.95. Murray, being overwhelmed with work farmed it out to Baker-Raulang, shipping them cowls and B-R did the rest. B-R also built "Special Delivery" woodies, less cowl, for $139.68. Think about that -a $650 Station Wagon in 1930 and almost 1/3 if that was the cost of the body to Ford!
BTW, if you enjoy Ford history it's a great book.

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Maybe he liked the look of his Woody the way it stood out in it's natural shape?:D

Pluck

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

I'm thinking the wagons were only considered utilitarian.

Would love to see one in black, washington blue, dark green like the pu's or even maroon...... the contrast would look swell!

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Someone posted a picture of their's in blue and it was nicer IMHO than the stock color.:)
I also liked the green one I saw posted a year or so ago.:)

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Woodies were considered commercial vehicles. Ford had a history of offering only one color for their commercial vehicles- for example, the pickups came standard in Rock Moss Green only. Fleet buyers could order custom colors though.


I've seen one in a bright red, and the contrast with the light wood was beautiful.

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

I kind of like red myself!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S...0/PB250061.JPG

I admit it. It is a 1928 Martin-Parry body on a Model A frame.

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

I believe the USPS ordered them in blue...and there were some custom Woodies that came in Forest Green.
ds

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

swo4rd: Is the above your opinion? OR where is the proof?

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Same question for truck cabs, why only green? Me thinks it had something to do with cost.

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Check the Standards or the Paint & Finish Guide, the commercials
had at least three color choices some years more.


Bob

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

I prefer Manila Brown - IMHO, other colors clash with the wood.

Model A passenger cars (and commercials to some extent) came in different colors, but the lower body was all the same color. That is, the hood and cowl weren't a different color from the rest of the lower body. Station wagon wood was natural finish so Manila Brown was a close match on the hood and cowl.

Question: did wagons come polished or was matte paint standard like some commercials?

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

According to the Paint & Finish Guide they were rubbed out. The Standards don't seem to address it.

-Tim

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

That would have been my guess. IIRC, the Deluxe commercials were polished. Although wagons weren't called Deluxe, I'd think they would have been considered in that category.

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

The station wagons were actually light duty commercial since they were on standard car frames. The Manilla Brown color that wagons were painted were also used on a few other cars also. And yes, Edsel thought it complimented the maple nicely.

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Mostly Opinion



I know there was one in my home town that was blue for the PO rural route carrier. I don't know if it was originally blue or not. The restorer was Ed Timlin and he restored it in conventional Manila Brown...Does anyone else know about that. And there is a record in Woody Wagon in Vol 2 of a early 28 in Black.



Now I'm really curious and should research this.

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

wasn't Brewster Green standard for all A and AA trucks?

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Rock Moss

Re: Why Only One Color for the Station Wagon?
 

Brewster Green was one of 38 colors available in 1931.
Rock Moss Green was an available color for 1929 and 1930. Other colors were also available.



Above is for the AA trucks as per page E-83 of the RGJS.