Model A Original Color

30-Centauri-A

30-Centauri-A

Junior Member
I have a 1930 Model A that is in very good shape that I see just needs to be cleaned up. One item that needs redoing is the paint. If possible I would like to use the original color that was on the car when it left the factory. I originally posted this question on the H.A.M.B. and was directed here, I was told someone here on the Ford Barn would know. On the H.A.M.B. I was also given two great links of original colors used on the Model A.

The car currently has a rough black paint job. I scratched of some paint in two areas. Inside the door under the black is a nice looking blue that appears very much like Washington Blue, then a black primer then bare metal. Inside the a-pillar under the black is a dark grey-blue, a bright yellow, a black primer then metal.

I would think Washington Blue would be the original color except that it is only on the door, so I'm thinking that might not be the original color; but it is still a great candidate for a possible color to use.

Is there a way to find the original color using the engine serial number or some other way?
 
Welcome to the Barn! You need to know what body style you have. The colors varied from style to style. According "The Ford Model A as Henry Built It" in 1930 only the "Deluxe" versions used Washington Blue. The standard version on most body styles used Andalusite Blue. If you plan to make the car as original as possible, you need a current copy of The Restoration and Judging Standards, available from the Model A Ford Club of America.
 
A modern VIN has that type of information but when the Model A was built the vehicle identification number was the serial number on the engine. The serial numbers were assigned sequentially to the engine/transmission assembly when it passed final inspection. All of the engines were built at one plant and shipped to the various assembly plants for installation in whatever car came down the assembly line next. As Bob said what is the body style and is it standard of deluxe? When available colors are combined with what traces of original paint you find you should have the answer. Pictures might help.

Charlie Stephens
 
It's a Tudor Sedan (55B).

As of now I'm not looking to completely restore the car, just clean it up and make it a good driver.

If Washington Blue is only on deluxe models, that means the blue on the door must just be a similar color, or the door came from a deluxe car.
 
Washington Blue is not Factory color for a 55B '30 or '31. Someone will possibly post the correct colors. Mine are in the barn, and right now it is raining heavily. Good luck with your tudor...
 
You have come to the right place. I have found everyone here to be extremely helpful.

Below (picture 1) are your choices for a 1930 standard tudor. Note that there is no such thing as a 1930 deluxe tudor. They were not available until 1931.

I discovered the true color of the upper back of my 1929 tudor when I was sanding in preparation for paint (picture 2 below). You may make discoveries yourself when you start sanding. I am glad I found out. I think it looks good with the darker upper back (picture 3 below)
 

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pgerhardt, that chart looks to be very usefull. I just checked the MAFCA color page, Andalusite Blue looks to be the closest but still too different to any color I see. Looks like I'll have to sand off paint in a more visible area like the rear body panel.
Your two tone green looks good.

Jim/Alabam, if Washington Blue is not a factory color for the Tudor could it be possible the door came from a deluxe model sometime in its life?
 
Look at the color charts and as many 55Bs as you can find and paint it the colors you like best. The best place to look for the original color is under the gas tank.
 
Every spot I check inside the car, fire wall inside and out and in front of the tank, and under the tank, all I see is black. So either it was originally black or it was completely repainted at sometime in its life.
 
According to a chart pgerhardt posted, Niagara Blue Dark was not available for the '30 Tudor, but Lombard Blue is real dark. I'll have to check again tomorrow in the sunlight, but it appears there is only black.
 
30-Centauri-A said:
Every spot I check inside the car, fire wall inside and out and in front of the tank, and under the tank, all I see is black. So either it was originally black or it was completely repainted at sometime in its life.
Click to expand...

Just a word of caution: When inspecting paint color in a tight area such as the inside of the firewall, in front of the gas tank, use an incandescent light, or better yet, natural day light. LED lights will distort colors. I once saw a water outlet on an engine that was painted with the correct engine green paint, points deducted in judging because the judge using a LED flashlight saw the color as black. When viewed in natural light, it was obvious that it was green.
 
pgerhardt, your paint sure looks nice, and I like the color choice.

If it hasn't been pinstriped yet, you'll have to look up Jim Brand for an excellent pinstripe job.
 
I found the original Brewster Green on the underside of the hood. The Washington Blue was sprayed there with very little prep work and it came off easily. I rattle canned it flat black 'cuz the firewall already was flat black. Lulu is a driver. Look everywhere, even the underside of the body.
 

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My 1930 Tudor was Lubard blue it is a little darker than Washington blue check it out it might be the color you are looking for
 
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