MTFCA Forum

I really like the two toned paint schemes that Model T’s were painted in the 1920’s in Australia and New Zealand and, when the time comes, I would like to paint my ‘26 Fordor a two color color scheme as was popular “down under”.

What color selections were available for the body above the belt and below the belt? I assume that the fenders, splash shields and radiator apron were painted black. In the States, the 1926 Fordor would have been maroon and the tudor and coupe painted green. Were the body colors below the belt and above the splash shields the same “down under”? If so, what color would have been suitable for above the belt. Black, or a much darker shade of the below the belt body color?

The attached photo is of a pre-1926 (I would guess 1925) RHD Fordor in New Zealand. In the States, this T would have been black. Too bad the photo of this Fordor was not in color. Jim Patrick

Blue and Black is one option:

Your best bet might be to read era newspapers and see what colors were advertised.

This link will show what sorts of colors were offered in the carriage varnish era: https://www.autocolorlibrary.com/pages/ ... -carriages I would take these and era color ads as inspiration. Keep in mind, though, that a lot of the paint chips have probably darkened significantly (the Murphy maroons definitely have). Good luck!

Hi Jim,

Unfortunately I don’t have any of my resources available at the moment but you might find it useful to try searching a few period New Zealand newspapers which can be done here.

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/

My 1925 Timaru assembled, Canadian built T touring was originally black fenders, boards, valances etc and the body was apparently what was called Phoenix Brown and had the period upgrades of Stewart Bumpers, Nickel Radiator Surround etc. Whether this was the same as later Ford Phoenix Brown I cannot confirm but my uncle remembers it as being close, if not the same.

I’m sure some other ‘down unders’ will be able to add much more.

In an effort to boost sagging sales of the improved cars, the new Ford factory in Geelong, Victoria offered two tone paintwork, which was not confined to black mudguards and bodies of a different colours. The bodies themselves were two toned, around the belt line if such a term can be used on an open car. I have no particular reference material on this, but have seen two such original cars. Others may be able to add further information.

Allan from down under.

Thank you everyone. Very helpful, especially about it being black above the beltline. I will check out the newspaper links. It sort of sounds as Ford was much more compliant to the customers desires, down under and that any color the customer wanted below the beltline was on the table, as long as it was available. If that is the case, I may go with the black fenders, splash guards and apron, with maroon below the beltline and black above the beltline. Here is a photo of a two toned Model A as well as my ‘26 Fordor. Except for the black paint ending to a point on the Model A cowl moulding, which the Fordor does not have, it is easy to imagine a ‘26 Fordor painted in the same type of two toned color scheme. Jim Patrick

Hi Jim

Further to Adrian's photo of the blue tudor, here is one of its stablemates.
The blue one had originally been a green colour (still visible under the blue and grey layers)
The red one was our choice of colour scheme as it had been painted with a broom when we found the body.
Both of these cars were built on the same day as the body numbers are only 37 numbers different

Cheers
Glen
New Zealand