What were the original colors for the Model A?
Ford's Model A, produced from 1927 to 1931, did not have a single “original” color. It was offered in a broad palette of solid and two‑tone finishes, with the exact options shifting by year and market.
A broad palette, not a single shade
The Model A’s color range evolved as Ford refreshed its factory catalogs. What follows is a representative overview of how the palette was organized for that era.
- Solid body colors: a spectrum that included greens, blues, grays, browns, and reds, with black serving as a standard base for some finishes.
- Two‑tone finishes: popular in the late 1920s, pairing a body color with contrasting fenders, roofs, or running boards to create distinct appearances.
- Export and specialty finishes: occasional nonstandard shades offered for specific markets or limited production runs.
In practice, buyers could mix body color with trim and accent colors to produce many appearances. Ford’s color catalogs documented available combinations by year, and dealers sometimes offered customization within certain limits.
Solid colors and two-tone finishes
When Model A production began, Ford highlighted a wide range of solid colors and standard two‑tone schemes. Here are the broad categories collectors should know.
- Solid color families: greens, blues, grays, browns, and reds—plus black as a basic option for some early finishes.
- Two‑tone schemes: contrasting fenders, roofs, and running boards were common, giving the Model A its classic early Ford look.
These color patterns are commonly seen among surviving cars and museum examples, though the exact shade names can vary by year and source.
Regional and market variations
Color availability differed by market. The United States saw the most extensive catalogs, but export models to Europe and other regions sometimes carried different color offerings or restricted palettes based on local conditions.
- United States: a broad palette with frequent two‑tone options, including many greens and blues and several grays and browns.
- Export markets: occasionally featured nonstandard shades or region‑specific options, depending on import rules and dealer networks.
For collectors, a Model A’s color is as much about the year, version, and market as it is about the shade name itself.
Summary
The original Model A did not have a single color. Ford offered a broad and evolving palette of solid colors and two‑tone finishes across years and markets, giving buyers a wide range of appearances. If you’re researching a specific car, check the year’s color catalog or the dealer’s records to confirm the exact options for that example.
What is the rarest Ford model A?
Seen at the 1974 Queen Mary meet and again in San Diego in 1990. This rare coupe bore the hallmarks of a factory prototype maroon body black fenders. And under the hood a healthy C engine.
What colors did Model A's come in?
The Model A came in a variety of colors like black, blue, green, and brown, depending on the year and model. Popular options included black, Ford Maroon, Washington Blue, and Thorne Brown, with some years offering two-tone color schemes for the body and molding. Additional details like wheel and stripe colors were also available, such as Tacoma Cream and Apple Green for wheels and pinstripes.
Body and molding colors
- Black: A standard and widely available color, often paired with other colors for molding.
- Blues: Popular blues included Washington Blue, Andalusite Blue, and Lombard Blue.
- Greens: Choices like Brewster Green, Kewanee Green, and Elkpoint Green were offered.
- Browns: Colors such as Thorne Brown and Seal Brown were common options.
- Other notable colors: Ford Maroon, Bronson Yellow, and Chicle Drab were also available depending on the model year.
Wheel and stripe colors
- Wheels: While black was the initial wheel color, options like Apple Green, Aurora Red, Orange, Tacoma Cream, and Hessian Blue were added later.
- Stripes: Pinstripe colors were offered to match the wheels or contrast with the body, including colors like French Gray, Tacoma Cream, and Apple Green.
Important considerations
- Year and model: The specific color options changed each year and varied by model type (e.g., roadster vs. sedan).
- Two-tone schemes: Many Model A's were painted with two-tone schemes, using one color for the lower body and another for the upper body, belt, quarter, and sill molding.
- Dealer-applied and custom colors: While Ford offered many factory colors, it was also possible for dealers to add custom colors, or for owners to choose custom paint, as discussed on Facebook and this YouTube video.
What color was the first Model A?
The Model A was sold only in red by the factory, though some were later repainted in other colors.
What is Ford's original color?
black
The car was only offered in black from 1914-1925, however before and after that various models of the vehicle could be purchased in a variety of colors including blue, red, grey, and green.
