Non-Authentic Paint Schemes

[Bob Bidonde]

Original Model "A" paint schemes are way too conservative, so I did it my way. If your Model "A" has a non-authentic paint scheme, please post a picture of it here.

[DD931]

See my avatar!!

[WHN]

I like it.

Tastes change over the years. Enjoy.

[mike657894]

looks good. I went a little off book on mine. Nearly no one who sees it on road will even know. I dont think any of the originals included the belt line and I couldn't look at that detail without including it in the top paint. My car revealed only one shade on the body during the stripping. I got it with a gaudy metallic blue done in the 50s or 60s.

[Jeff P. / MN]

Non-stock color and pinstripe instead of black beltline.

[Railcarmover]

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'Stock never goes out of style'

..one thing to remember,Mr Ford converted his product into cash,from that point he was on to building the next unit he could convert to cash.A fine point restoration stands no closer to his goal than a chevy powered chopped top hot rod does,he met his goal making a product the public would buy and use as they saw,or see,fit,nothing more.

[Bill G]

If changing colors is the worst one could do then I am in deep doo doo. Work in progress and now doing reassembly.

Cheers,

[ronn]

Jeff,


really like that color choice.


though I am a blackwall man...........

[updraught]

"There was a bit of a pause in the color parade when the market crashed in 1929, Tutt notes — colors got dimmer, more depressing, in somber greens and grays. And when cars were colorful, fenders were often painted black in a melding of the practical and the aesthetically pleasing: Dinged fenders could be easily and cheaply painted with asphalt paint, saving on repairs."
https://www.consumerreports.org/cons...so-boring-now/

Best not to look like a rat with a gold tooth in the Depression I guess ...
They went the other way here and dumped the US colours for brighter ones due to sluggish sales.

Ford advertising 1929 said "But colour selection cannot be determined by a layman, and thus, in the endeavour to produce articles in colour, which reflect the modern idea, most industries have failed".

[Cave]

20190527_090451r.jpg

[katy]

Like this:

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by updraught

"There was a bit of a pause in the color parade when the market crashed in 1929, Tutt notes — colors got dimmer, more depressing, in somber greens and grays. And when cars were colorful, fenders were often painted black in a melding of the practical and the aesthetically pleasing: Dinged fenders could be easily and cheaply painted with asphalt paint, saving on repairs."
https://www.consumerreports.org/cons...so-boring-now/

Best not to look like a rat with a gold tooth in the Depression I guess ...
They went the other way here and dumped the US colours for brighter ones due to sluggish sales.

Ford advertising 1929 said "But colour selection cannot be determined by a layman, and thus, in the endeavour to produce articles in colour, which reflect the modern idea, most industries have failed".

I am not so sure Tutt knew what he was talking about. Go look at other marques of vehicles of the same vintage and you will see quite the contrary. Ford built to his socioeconomic market, ...and people who drove Fords then were likely considered more frugal -and modest.

[kbinde2]

I just couldn't bring myself to change the color, just to be a "correct" hobbyist.
After making sure it would go, and then stop.. with a new interior instead of a 5 gallon bucket to sit on, the budget has just about reached a reasonable limit.!
I still get waves and nods of approval, (and I suppose a jealous look from some
that wish they had one), even a few top ten trophies at local car shows.
I'm a happy Model A owner, trying to stay within my means. kb

[DD931]

Cave - I like it!!

[Railcarmover]

Ford lost no time reading the market after the debacle of the T and the A.In ways, the model a was a failure.It didn't hold the market as long as planned,and the depression only highlighted its shortcomings with the public.There is a good argument in Ford not recouping his investment in retooling for the A during its run.In fact,they lost money from '29 to '46,almost the full run of the 'A' platform..war contracts were 'cost plus a dollar'.By mid 1930 it was clear something needed to be done,and Ford finally followed the market instead of leading it,with yearly model changes beginning in '32.Color was not going to save Ford,the only thing that did was the profits from the model T..it carried them for almost 20 years..

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Railcarmover

Ford lost no time reading the market after the debacle of the T and the A.In ways, the model a was a failure.It didn't hold the market as long as planned,and the depression only highlighted its shortcomings with the public.There is a good argument in Ford not recouping his investment in retooling for the A during its run.In fact,they lost money from '29 to '46,almost the full run of the 'A' platform..war contracts were 'cost plus a dollar'.By mid 1930 it was clear something needed to be done,and Ford finally followed the market instead of leading it,with yearly model changes beginning in '32.Color was not going to save Ford,the only thing that did was the profits from the model T..it carried them for almost 20 years..

You are correct in that the A was somewhat of a failure as far as ROI was concerned however I am now wondering, was there any US-manufactured vehicle during that same or later era whose production that lasted any longer? It appears to me that technology was advancing pretty quickly where a vehicle was obsolete within a few years with regard to styling and mechanical advancements.

[duke36]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Original Model "A" paint schemes are way too conservative, so I did it my way. If your Model "A" has a non-authentic paint scheme, please post a picture of it here.

One way to address "conservative" is to perhaps view this as the resulting world wide shifts from Victorian/ Edwardian styles to Modernism and more subdued palettes. Some examples may be the Kahn designed Ford plants with minimal ornamentation (brick, glass, steel, concrete) and resulting cost savings.
Influential folks could order cars with special colors and as with fleet sales, etc.

[Railcarmover]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

You are correct in that the A was somewhat of a failure as far as ROI was concerned however I am now wondering, was there any US-manufactured vehicle during that same or later era whose production that lasted any longer? It appears to me that technology was advancing pretty quickly where a vehicle was obsolete within a few years with regard to styling and mechanical advancements.

The A was the last mass produced design till the Volkswagen type 1.Styling and marketing took the place of sound engineering principals as the driving force behind sales.
One needs to look no further than the 'A' platform,the traverse spring/torque tube design lasted 20 years,through all kinds of styling changes sales and marketing drove the bigger engine push and body design changes but the base design held fast.Engineering took a back seat to sales,Vw fought that trend till 1968,the type 1 till 1967 was the last automobile 'controlled' by the engineering department,sales and marketing had no input,they sold what engineering designed.
Whats interesting about the A is that it endured,its simplicity was its savior.When later cars couldn't be fixed in the backyard they met their end,the very driving force behind their sale...new,modern complex devices..caused their downfall..

[Herb Concord Ca]

When I restored my 31 Slant T/S I chose Ford commercial colors to get a better selection of colors. Of course, you can have the car judged, but that wasn't planned any way.
My upper body color is Cherokee Gray and lower body color is French Gray and Hessian Blue pinstripe and wheels.
I've received many compliments on the car.

[updraught]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

I am not so sure Tutt knew what he was talking about. Go look at other marques of vehicles of the same vintage and you will see quite the contrary. Ford built to his socioeconomic market, ...and people who drove Fords then were likely considered more frugal -and modest.

A hamburger that tastes like cardboard has been shown to appeal to a wide market.

[Youngtudor]

I’m doing my Tudor in Washington blue, black firewall, Bronson yellow wheels and pinstripe. It was originally niagra and ditched blue with a grey pinstripe, too much going on for me.

[Railcarmover]

Originally Posted by Herb Concord Ca

When I restored my 31 Slant T/S I chose Ford commercial colors to get a better selection of colors. Of course, you can have the car judged, but that wasn't planned any way.
My upper body color is Cherokee Gray and lower body color is French Gray and Hessian Blue pinstripe and wheels.
I've received many compliments on the car.

its a interesting point,Ford expanded commercial colors in 30/31,that could possibly be the beginning of marketing influence,Mr Fords trait was to marginalize something he was unsure of,yet give it a chance to grow..Banking and financials already taken away from him,manufacturing long gone from his control,engineering was on the precipice,Ford clung where he could..marketing was given a toe hold,a spot to bloom from,Ford commercial in 30/31 could have been the spot..or perhaps the place the ideas grew from outside of his control..still the point is dont marginalize him yet,he's still cresting from the T..but other dynamics are in play.the 'old man' is being levered..

[whirnot]

Originally Posted by kbinde2

I just couldn't bring myself to change the color, just to be a "correct" hobbyist.
After making sure it would go, and then stop.. with a new interior instead of a 5 gallon bucket to sit on, the budget has just about reached a reasonable limit.!
I still get waves and nods of approval, (and I suppose a jealous look from some
that wish they had one), even a few top ten trophies at local car shows.
I'm a happy Model A owner, trying to stay within my means. kb

My experience exactly, and as a coincidence, my roadster has almost the same combination of colors except add a light brown belt line.
Very popular with the public....

[Bob Bidonde]

Too much talk about Ford policy is hijacking this post. Lets see more pictures of cars and trucks with non-authentic paint schemes.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Too much talk about Ford policy is hijacking this post. Lets see more pictures of cars and trucks with non-authentic paint schemes.

Jeez Bob, what's the hurry buddy? If you are in a hurry and want to see unauthentic or incorrect paint jobs on Model-As, just go to Google and type in 'Model-A' in the search bar. About 90% of the images that come up will be incorrectly painted or unauthentic paint jobs.

On the other hand, if you are seeking hits on this thread to keep the topic at the top, then every comment posted just brings it back to the top where other posters will see it and potentially post a picture. Either way it's all good.

[Railcarmover]

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My apologies,drifted off on a tangent..Going to shoot the 29 Sport coupe Bobcat charcoal grey..found a quart at the shop,the partsman said he couldn't sell it here in CA...xylene based acrylic enamel..he searched other stores and found 3 more quarts at another branch,80 bucks all in and another swipe at the ridiculous rules of engagement here in Kommiefornia. Add hardener 2oz to 8oz premix for gloss and durability.
Im considering doing the top in aluminum trailer skin and buff it like an airstream trailer..or is that a little too far off the reservation?..

[springerpete]

Check my avator picture. The red is 1978 Ford "dark red" code 2M

[denniskliesen]

springerpete, a friend of mine has his 30 coupe painted that color and the pictures never appear to be close to the color looking at it in person.

I have the color chart with the chips and have compared them with the original color on my car that has been covered in an area never exposed to heat or elements that would cause it to fade or change color as far as I know. It has been repainted at one point in it's life a different color than the original. It's my Model A and I'll paint it the color I want it to be in the scheme I want it to be. And it might not be a color used for the year it was made...

[denniskliesen]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Original Model "A" paint schemes are way too conservative, so I did it my way. If your Model "A" has a non-authentic paint scheme, please post a picture of it here.

Bob, so which picture is your way? The one on the left or the one on the right?

[Bill G]

My wife has been a real partner with me on this '29 Tudor project. We have both wanted a Model A project car for forty years! And, purely as a hobby and to take it out on evening drags, daytime tours and the ubiquitous show and shine competition. Our radar was always set on local showing, and nothing for "real" points. We almost definitely did not like the color combos from the original palettes. Too dark, too drab. Times have changed and it is hard to turn folks eyes and attentions when mine looks just like the one parked three spots down. We chose colors that would have been used in that era on Ford cars, but not the exact or even remotely exact combo. We chose a light gray for the body with dark blue for the upper back, reveals and the belt. Black fenders/running boards. The gist was that our car is starting to draw compliments, and we haven't even gotten it out much yet in its unfinished state,

My wife is a god-send when it comes to colors! Me, I see color and am not color blind, but I sure as Heck can't effectively put two or three colors together in any artistic form. That is where my wife can bring on her skills and we have a great thing.

I have taken the car to the gurus of our club and once we get past the fact that everyone agrees they were not on Henry's list, we do have a nice car with colors that were around at the time, but in our case, the body of the car is being painted with a color that only the pinstripe would have gotten back in 1929. The results, I think, is not a total shocker, but pleasantly different. In the end, we have had good response.

I really love my wife's input and sometimes her downright insistence on certain things. We both want her to know this is her car just as much as it is mine.

[ronn]

Im considering doing the top in aluminum trailer skin and buff it like an airstream trailer..or is that a little too far off the reservation?..
CANT WAIT TO SEE IT!
YOU CAN TELL EVERYONE AT THE SHOWS THAT IT WAS HENRYS PERSONAL CAR.


a little fib now and then can brighten the history lesson...............

[Railcarmover]

Originally Posted by ronn

Im considering doing the top in aluminum trailer skin and buff it like an airstream trailer..or is that a little too far off the reservation?..
CANT WAIT TO SEE IT!
YOU CAN TELL EVERYONE AT THE SHOWS THAT IT WAS HENRYS PERSONAL CAR.


a little fib now and then can brighten the history lesson...............

Funny you mention Mr Ford's model A..he had a '28 coupe, with crotch coolers..(cowl vents) been considering that very thing...makes you wonder,If the boss had them why didn't they make it into production?

[77Birdman]

Originally Posted by ronn

Im considering doing the top in aluminum trailer skin and buff it like an airstream trailer..or is that a little too far off the reservation?..
CANT WAIT TO SEE IT!
YOU CAN TELL EVERYONE AT THE SHOWS THAT IT WAS HENRYS PERSONAL CAR.


a little fib now and then can brighten the history lesson...............

I'm pretty sure (and most of you probably already know about it) that there was either a model A or a '32 that was done in stainless and polished. I believe it was done in conjunction with maybe alcon? and was displayed in the HQ building in Pitt. They also did a late 50's TBird the same way. I saw that at the AACA in Hershey, they may have had the early ford as well I cant remember.

[jb-ob]

Cowl Vents look 'cool' but fail the mission, as they open forward, directly behind the louvered hood side, collecting all the engine heat.

[Railcarmover]

Originally Posted by 77Birdman

I'm pretty sure (and most of you probably already know about it) that there was either a model A or a '32 that was done in stainless and polished. I believe it was done in conjunction with maybe alcon? and was displayed in the HQ building in Pitt. They also did a late 50's TBird the same way. I saw that at the AACA in Hershey, they may have had the early ford as well I cant remember.

Got pictures for pattern from a friends car done in tin..figure ill do some buck work too,roll it right it takes a nice line.I have a problem dropping a grand on a soft top thats fixed..

[katy]

1936 Ford in stainless steel:

[Don Turley]

Does anyone know whatever happened to "Dusty" who used to be here on the Barn? He had the most non-original color Model A that I can remember!

[Werner]

Hello! I always want my vintage cars as they were made in the factory. But the traces of use may remain. A good car, but not a new one. No high gloss!



Something else is a hot rod. This is no longer a classic car, but the American Graffity level. There is no such thing in Germany. Barely possible.


This different flavor must be separated in the head. Not everyone can do that.

[Railcarmover]

The Red Army used the AA chassis during the great patriotic war,it powered the Red Army all the way to Berlin..

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Don Turley

Does anyone know whatever happened to "Dusty" who used to be here on the Barn? He had the most non-original color Model A that I can remember!

I've asked the same thing and never got an answer.
Last I heard, I thought he mentioned getting married, then he vanished.


I think we need to file a missing persons report.
Maybe she took his money and did him in.


BTW, I really like the colors of his car.

[ronn]

I think we need to file a missing persons report.


wasnt that youre moniker for a bit Tom?


LOL

[whirnot]

I think I remember Dusty saying he was going to sell that car. As unconventional as it was, many, like me liked it.