What year did Ford start painting engines blue?

Ford began routinely painting many of its V8 engines blue in the early 1960s, with 1962 widely cited as the start year for the Windsor-family engines. The blue finish became a long-standing hallmark of Ford’s powerplants for decades and remains a touchstone for classic Fords and enthusiasts today.

To understand this color tradition, it helps to trace Ford’s engine families and manufacturing choices through the 1960s onward. The decision to standardize on a blue engine finish tied into Ford’s branding and the practical needs of maintenance and differentiation in the showroom and service bays. While the exact shade and application have varied by era and market, blue engines became a recognizable visual cue associated with Ford’s engineering identity.

Historical backdrop: how blue became Ford’s engine color

This section outlines the context and evolution of Ford’s blue engine paint, from the early 1960s adoption through later decades, highlighting how production practices solidified around a blue finish.

Milestones in Ford's blue engine painting

Below is a brief timeline of when blue engine paint became a common, official finish across Ford’s V8 lineup and related powertrains.

• 1962: The Windsor family of small-block V8s begins to appear, and production lines commonly apply Ford Blue to engines, establishing the standard color for many subsequent V8s.


• 1963–1971: The 289/302 and related Windsor engines continue to be finished in Ford Blue across most assembly plants, reinforcing the blue identity for standard Ford powertrains.


• 1970s–1980s: Ford’s big-block and mid-size V8s (including FE-series and later Windsor variants) predominantly retain the blue engine paint, with occasional variations for regional plants or special editions.


• Late 1980s–1990s: As new families (such as modular engines) enter production, blue remains common for many engines, though some models and markets experiment with alternative finishes for performance lines or branding updates.

Note: Engine colors can vary by model year, market, and restoration preferences. While blue remained the dominant finish for many Ford engines for decades, there were exceptions, particularly for racing, limited editions, or modern modular designs.

Why the blue finish mattered

The choice of Ford Blue linked engineering with branding. It provided a durable, heat-tolerant finish that could withstand the rigors of maintenance and wear while creating a consistent visual language across Ford’s American lineup. The color also reinforced the “Blue Oval” identity that became synonymous with Ford’s public image and customer expectations in garages and car shows alike.

Current status and cultural impact

Today, the blue engine finish remains a nostalgic hallmark for classic Fords and a valued detail in restoration circles. While modern production lines sometimes favor different finishes for specific engines, the blue look endures in the heritage and collector communities, preserving a link to Ford’s mid-20th-century engineering era.

Summary: The tradition of painting Ford engines blue began in the early 1960s, with 1962 commonly cited as the starting point for the Windsor V8 family. This blue finish persisted across many Ford engines for decades, becoming a recognizable symbol of the brand’s engineering heritage and a staple in restoration and automotive culture.

When did Ford start painting their engines blue?

1966
This was used on Ford engines from 1966 all the way throughout the first generation run.

What color did Ford paint engines?

Ford engine paint colors vary by era and engine type, with common historical colors including Ford Corporate Blue, red, and black. Modern options like Dupli-Color offer a wide range of colors for Ford engines, including Ford Green, Ford Blue, and New Ford Gray, in various finishes. 
This video explains the history of Ford engine paint colors: 27sDentside DepotYouTube · May 19, 2025
Historical Ford engine colors

• Blue: Ford Corporate Blue became the standard in 1966 for most engines, while earlier models used a lighter blue on some engines like the 260ci V8. 
• Red: Some older 6-cylinder engines were painted red, and Mercury FE blocks were red in 1965. 
• Black: Early engines, including some FE blocks, were painted black. 
• Gold: The 289 four-barrel engines (A- and D-codes) were painted gold. 
• Other: Some engines had specific colors for components like the air cleaner and valve covers to differentiate models. 

Modern and aftermarket options

• Dupli-Color: Offers a wide variety of engine paint colors, including Ford Green, Old Ford Blue, Ford Red, and New Ford Gray. 
• Specialty paint brands: Some companies offer specific colors like Cleveland Blue, Corporate Blue, and Ford Competition Blue for certain models. 
• Color codes: Look for specific product codes, such as DE1601 for Ford Blue or DE1635 for semi-gloss black. 
• Custom and high-temperature paints: High-temperature paints are available for specific engine components. 

Key considerations

• Identify your engine: Research the specific year, model, and engine type to find the correct original color. 
• Consider the finish: Decide on a finish like gloss, semi-gloss, or flat, depending on the desired look and era. 
• Use the correct paint: Use engine-specific paints designed to withstand heat and oil, and consider brands that offer historically accurate colors. 

Why are Ford engines blue?

The same Ford corporate dark blue well up until 1966. It wasn't always this way as engines were painted based on their particular. Model not all the same color. But then in 1966.

What is the rarest Ford engine?

The rarest Ford engine is the Modular V10 Prototype, as only one unit was ever built as an experimental engine in the early 2000s. For a mass-produced production engine, the rarest is the Boss 429, though it was available for a short time. Other notably rare engines include the experimental 427 \"Calliope\" Can-Am V8, the 427 SOHC Cammer, and the turbocharged 1.8L Cosworth-developed engine for the RS1700T. 
You can watch this video to learn about the history of the Ford 427 engine: 1mBullnoseGarageYouTube · Oct 13, 2025
Non-production and experimental engines

• Ford Modular V10 Prototype: Developed in the early 2000s, this V10 was built as a unique engineering project and never entered production. It was fitted into a test car and proved to be a powerful but complex engine. 
• Ford 427 \"Calliope\": This experimental big-block V8 was designed for Can-Am racing. It was a highly advanced, lightweight aluminum V8, but only a few prototypes were ever made before the project was discontinued. 

This video discusses the Ford "Calliope" engine in detail: 1mREVan EvanYouTube · Jun 23, 2025
Mass-produced production engines 

• Ford Boss 429: This engine is considered the rarest in a mass-produced Ford car. It was built in limited numbers for NASCAR homologation, making it a high-demand engine for enthusiasts today. 
• Ford 427 SOHC Cammer: Also known as the "Cammer," this high-performance V8 was built for racing. It was produced in limited numbers as a crate engine for racing applications rather than in production cars. 
• Ford RS1700T engine: A turbocharged 1.8-liter engine developed for the Escort RS1700T rally car. The project was canceled, but the engine was a rare and powerful piece of Ford's rally history.