1913-1914 Ford Model T Hood, Original Blue Paint, found in the old woodshed

[Hercule]

[lump]

"So much for the old phrase we were all told about years ago, "You can have that new Model T Ford in any color, as long as it's black." 

[Stude Light]

Early Model Ts could be ordered in several different colors and Midnight Blue was one of them. It wasn't until 1914 that they went to all black.  And that was to keep the costs down as black was the cheapest, durable and fastest drying paint.  In 1913 a T cost about $525 and by implementing efficiency in the design, parts and assembly operation, this was driven down to $260 by 1925.  Every little bit helped and the decision to keep only one color was part of that. In its last two years of production (1926/27) colors came back.

 

Now that you have a hood, you need to start building a car around it.

[lump]

7 minutes ago, Stude Light said:

Early Model Ts could be ordered in several different colors and Midnight Blue was one of them. It wasn't until 1914 that they went to all black.  And that was to keep the costs down as black was the cheapest, durable and fastest drying paint.  In 1913 a T cost about $525 and by implementing efficiency in the design, parts and assembly operation, this was driven down to $260 by 1925.  Every little bit helped and the decision to keep only one color was part of that. In its last two years of production (1926/27) colors came back.

 

Now that you have a hood, you need to start building a car around it.

Great info, Stude. Thanks for that. 

[41 Su8]

Stude Light is correct. Just to add, the only color that would dry fast enough for the assembly line was Japan Black. Before the assembly line the painted bodies were placed on drying racks.  John

 

[TheMoneyPit]

As for the hood itself, I would post it on a Model T only site like the MTFCA classifieds for the most exposure. Adding a price would help too...

 

http://www.mtfca.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?3487/3487

 

[Paul Dobbin]

Don't forget Henry Ford told the dealers,  "Paint it any color the customer wants, just sell them a car"

In 1915 the suggested price to paint the new Model T at the Dealer was $15.00.  that's why my 1915 Model T Touring was red.  If I had purchased it new for $440.00 I sure could have found another $15.00 to have it be red.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Paul Dobbin (see edit history)