1907 - any color you want, as long as it’s maroon, or green, or red, or green and red, or….

[Rob]

I’m often surprised at the information gleaned from old letters, documents and newspapers. Then, when info is corroborated from two or more sources, it’s quite rewarding (resolution #1 for 2026, “get a life….” )

While searching for a 1907 Ford sales commission contract, I came across this contract between a Model N purchaser, Arthur W. Seligmann, and the Ford NY Branch.

I marked up items that caught my attention. First, the base price (top yellow highlight), $625. This contract was signed in April 1907, when the retail Ford price of N was $600. My presumption is the additional cost is shipping (Detroit to NY).

Continuing down, the highlighted total accessories cost of $107. This is a nicely appointed N, with headlamps, top as well as side and tail lights (we see FMC is charging additionally for side and tail lamps and horn). Total cost is $732. This helps explain issues I’ve found when attempting to determine agent commission from other ledgers, accessories cause the price paid on cars to be quite variable (similar to buying a car today).

Along with Mr. Seligmann’s signature, one other thing caught my attention. “Bright Red.” This coincides with another article I recalled, also from April 1907, of red, green and multiple colored N and R at the Chicago branch.

Oh yes, and Mr. Seligmann of 600 Broadway (turns out that is where the family business was located). He was 19 years old when he bought his Model N.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

My 1907, green N, with red chassis, feels validated.

[Rob]

Jerry, yours is one of several I thought of. Sometimes we (me) become so “set in our ways” in the hobby (and life in general). It’s refreshing to see there were indeed alternatives. It seems red, dark green, maroon and combinations of these were staples of Ford for several years. Black is another color I see on occasion on early Ford descriptions. I do know of one original N that appears to own its original black paint yet.

[Herb Iffrig]

Thank you Rob for doing all of this research. You seem to have a knack for it. It is appreciated.