Did the Ford Model T Really Come in Black Only?

"YOU CAN HAVE ANY COLOR AS LONG AS IT'S BLACK." — HENRY FORD

Henry Ford (1863-1947) documented that he made the "any color so long as it is black" comment during a meeting in 1909. This famous quote by Henry Ford led to many people believing that the Ford Model T was available only in black. This is, however, wrong. 

The first production Model T was built on August 12, 1908 ($850 retail - $24,500 today) and left the factory on September 27, 1908, at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit, Michigan. Also known as "Tin Lizzie," the Ford Model T was the first affordable mass-production car.

Or, to be precise, the first affordable horseless carriage. Henry Ford aimed to make a car "large enough for the family but small enough for the individual to run and care for." Price was also kept low so that anyone who made a decent living could afford one.

This 1908 Ford Model T Touring (Tin Lizzy) is the earliest restored (in its original color) Model T known to exist, bearing serial number 90. One of the first 800 Model Ts made is a so-called "two lever car," meaning it has two levers on the left floorboard, two pedals on the floor, and two levers (for spark and throttle) in the steering column. Cars built after unit 800 were reconfigured with Flivver's famous three-pedal/one-lever layout. It sold at auction for $121,000 in 2015.

On December 1, 1913, Henry Ford installed the first moving assembly line to mass production of an entire automobile. His innovation reduced the time it took to build a car from more than 12 hours to 2½ hours.

Henry Ford with the Ford Model T.

So what about the notion that Ford Model T cars came only in black?

During the early stages of the Model T production, the car was available in almost any color except black. In fact, the very first model came in red. Later models of the Ford Model T came with various colors such as green, bright red, dark blue, maroon, brown, grey, and, of course, black. 

But from 1914 to 1925, the Model T came only in black. There are many theories as to why Henry Ford chose only black back then. Ford Model T models were painted using a technique called japanning (known today as baked enamel). The coating was used for decorative items in the 1800s. Japanning gave a piano black finish and was also proved to be durable and rugged. Black was the only pigment it worked in.

Another theory is that black color dried faster than any color, which helped boost production. Also, in 1914, Henry Ford introduced assembly line car manufacturing, something every vehicle manufacturer follows today. Assembly line production was really efficient for Ford, and black paint was cheaper than color. Black could also be easily applied by almost anyone as it didn't require much detailing and precision like other paint colors. 

This period also saw high demand for the Ford Model T, and Ford Motor Company had to meet the increased demand with enough supply. The variety of colors vanished temporarily because of the need for assembly speed. Using only Black paint meant more Model T cars rolled off the assembly line, and Ford's cost per car dropped. Most buyers weren't complaining either because the Model T looked really good in black. 

But in the late 1920s, competitors of the Model T were offered in different colors. Eventually, Ford was forced to produce the Model T in colors other than black to maintain sales.

The production of the Ford Model T ended on May 25, 1927 ($300 retail - $4,500 today), an 82% reduction from the original 1909 retail cost due to assembly-line production. In almost 18 years, 15 million cars were produced. 

The fifteen millionth milestone Ford Model T was green in color.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.