MTFCA Forum

Happy New Year.

As you know, it has been an ongoing subject for decades that the true colors of the Model T are, basically, a mystery. Here is a color “autochrome” photograph taken of Mark Twain in 1908 and a frame from the first color movie from 1902 by Edward Turner. Why then, are there no period photos taken of Model T’s back when they were being manufactured? There were many family photos taken back then that included the family Model T. There must have been some taken in 1926 and ‘27 when Ford started painting the improved T in various colors and even into the 1930’s when well maintained Model T’s retained their colors. Where are they? I know there are colorized black and white photos, but since those colors are interpretations of the colorizers, they cannot be depended upon to be accurate depictions of the colors. Actual photographs are the only way to determine the true colors of Model T’s. Does anyone have any color photographs (not colorized) that can be uploaded here that show the actual colors of 1926 and ‘27 Model T’s as well as very early pre black era 1908-1913 Model T’s?

Interesting topic Jim... In the early 20s, basic color photographs have the process of balancing green and red. Later, advanced Technicolor process balanced three colors. Shades of those colors were affected by bright light and dim light, and through the years those colors have faded and changed. If you're looking for the true true colors of paints, you'll have to rely on the paint chemistry, and not photographs. Looking forward to input from others....... Present-day modern computer colorization of black and white photographs and movies is a whole different ball game.

I believe the best bet would be getting hold of some Kodachrome slides that have the subject matter you want. Kodachrome has a history of holding true to photographic colors without fading or changing colors

Color authenticity doesn't weigh heavily for most T owners. I would hazard that a poll of owners would reveal that these days, most Ts of all ages are either bright red, or about to be painted red.

That said, I personally applaud those who have a concern for preserving their T as it appeared when new. I fear the quest for a verifiable authentic color match would have to be satisfied only by examination of existing original paint samples preserved in hidden corners of the few remaining original condition cars where exposure to sun, weather and a reactive atmosphere has been minimal. For those of a scientifically analytic bent, perhaps a chemical analysis would reveal the composition of the pigments used. Even at that, some latitude would need to be given to account for the effects of a paint film that has aged for 97 to 115 years.

Color photos of original cars may give a "feel" for how the cars looked in "real life", but would be of little value other than to "eyeball" possible color choices when making an educated guess. Practical color photography for "everyday" use dates only from 1935 when Kodachrome was introduced. Any serious photographer will tell you that color photography is extremely subjective in terms of color fidelity, and dependent upon a great number of variables.

There might be an Autochrome somewhere showing a 1909-1913 or 1926-1927 T in its original color glory, but it hasn't been published. And it wouldn't render a color sample to copy, it would give a general impression instead. And with the exception of Kodachrome, old color slides are notorious for aging poorly.

At this day and age, to find an "exact" match for a coach paint or early nitrocellulose lacquer, it might be best to go back to the paint formulas and make your own from the raw pigments and know that they'd be "best guess" approximations. (For example, we use titanium instead of white lead for whites now.) I'm also somewhat skeptical of antique paint chips as they have chemically changed as much as anything else. Sometimes the best guess comes from the impression left by original color print ads.

Pre 1930 color photographs are rare. There was no easy way to make a color print of an Autochrome plate or even duplicate them. Autochrome plates were very expensive and quite a bit more work. Here's a link to an pretty good article about Autochromes:

https://rihsgraphics.wordpress.com/2010 ... utochrome/

Here a link to a 2 color technicolor film - Eddie Cantor's "Whoopee" from 1930. Go to 29:29 and see the scene with him working on a 1926 touring. It's 2 colors (vs 3) and not well lit, but kind of fun.

https://youtu.be/z98pd3syyeE?si=6AglTbj5oIwUpiuo

It really wasn't until the late 1930s with Kodachrome slides that color photography became affordable enough for the average photographer to consider using. I'm not saying that there are no early color photos out there, but they will be very hard to find.

Good luck on the hunt!

Martin