'32 Ford color and trim?

[unclescott58]

Does anybody know where to find, or have information on stock/factory colors and interior trim for 1932 Fords? I'm mainly wondering what colors were the factory interiors based on the exterior paint one choose? And was this different if you bought a Model B vs. a V8? Or a standard vs. deluxe? Or the body style you choose? And what were the colors of the open cars tops?

In the near future I plan on building one stock version of each of the AMT '32 Ford kits. Trying first to decide on what colors to paint each car. Then what color to paint the interior. (And that brings up another question, does the dash match the interior or exterior of the car?) On the roadster and phaeton what color to paint the top. And on all of them, what color to paint the wheels.

Im sure there is someone in our community here, that has that information. Or knows where to find it. My web searches mainly take me to vendors selling paint or upholstery kits. But, with very little info on what goes with what.

[Art Anderson]

Does anybody know where to find, or have information on stock/factory colors and interior trim for 1932 Fords? I'm mainly wondering what colors were the factory interiors based on the exterior paint one choose? And was this different if you bought a Model B vs. a V8? Or a standard vs. deluxe? Or the body style you choose? And what were the colors of the open cars tops?

In the near future I plan on building one stock version of each of the AMT '32 Ford kits. Trying first to decide on what colors to paint each car. Then what color to paint the interior. (And that brings up another question, does the dash match the interior or exterior of the car?) On the roadster and phaeton what color to paint the top. And on all of them, what color to paint the wheels.

Im sure there is someone in our community here, that has that information. Or knows where to find it. My web searches mainly take me to vendors selling paint or upholstery kits. But, with very little info on what goes with what.

Auto Color Library ( http://www.autocolorlibrary.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1932-Ford-pg01.jpg ) has the full paint color listing for Ford in 1932--unfortunately no color chips.  However, bear in mind that car colors back then (regardless of what some "restorers" do today) were generally dark, with brighter colors being considerably muted.   On all 1932 Fords, however, one standard paint scheme feature was still being used (carried over from Model A, that being black fenders, running boards, and the frame (which on a Deuce is exposed between the body sill and running board, in lieu of a separate sheet metal "splash apron".  Other than that, pretty much all body styles were one color over all, with pin striping highlighting the raised belt line moldings painted in a complimenting color, the "recessed" reveals around the side and rear windows on Deluxe models being painted another complimenting color.  Firewalls were body color.  The underside of the pressed steel floors were raw primer.  All frames, supension, axles and torque tube were gloss black enamel.  The V8 engine block and oil pan  and transmissions were a glossy dark green enamel (but with all bolt heads in bright cadmium plating), with the V8 cylinder heads being raw cast aluminum, as was the intake manifold..  On the Model B 4-cylinder engine, the entire engine including the cylinder head was dark green, along with the transmission and intake manifold, with the carburetor being painted gloss black., with bright cadmium bolt heads

Closed car interiors (with the exception of the "Business Coupe" (a body with a fabric top over bows much like the Cabriolet but non-folding) and the Deluxe Coupe (the 3-window coupe) were fabric--woven wool, in again, very muted colors, medium grey on some bodies, a rather muddy-looking dark tan on others--but not based on the body color as became the pattern by the middle 1950's.  All open bodies (roadster, cabriolet, phaeton and B-400 Convertible Sedan) were upholstered in artificial leather, in dark brown.

Every body style of '32 Ford was available as either a Model B (for people who were unsure about the new V8, or just preferred the Model B 4-cylinder--probably based on their satisfaction with the excellent Model A 4-banger), be they Standard, or Deluxe body styles or trim levels.

The standard wheel color was black, but Red, Apple Green, and Tacoma Cream (a dark, rich cream color) were available at extra cost, pretty much with all body styles and body colors. (Whitewall tires were SELDOM seen on low-priced cars in the early 1930's, and then those tires had white sidewalls on BOTH sides of the tire.

In the interior, instrument panels on closed cars were burled walnut colored steel panels, as were the interior window reveals and window sills, regardless of the upholstery or exterior colors.  The swing-out windshield frames were painted black both inside and out.  Steering wheels were a dull, almost pure black, hard rubber material.  On open bodies, such as the roadster, Cabriolet, Phaeton and Convertible sedan, the instrument panels were body color.  Steering columns were gloss black enamel.

Open cars came equipped with folding tops that were a light buff in color.  Every closed body '32 Ford was fitted with a fabric roof insert which was black vinyl (Ford called "Pyoxylin) impregnated for waterproofing.

Hope this helps!

Art

[StevenGuthmiller]

Check "paintref.com".

Strangely, there are no Ford colors listed for 1932-'35, but there are for '31.

I doubt that there would have been any difference between the 2 years.

There are no actual color chips, but there are colors in the right hand column that you can click on & they will take you to web links where you can at least view what the colors looked like on real cars.

 

Steve

[unclescott58]

Thanks Art and Steve. Unless I hear different I'm going with what you say Art. From what I've seen, I beleive you to be correct.

[Art Anderson]

Check "paintref.com".

Strangely, there are no Ford colors listed for 1932-'35, but there are for '31.

I doubt that there would have been any difference between the 2 years.

There are no actual color chips, but there are colors in the right hand column that you can click on & they will take you to web links where you can at least view what the colors looked like on real cars.

 

Steve

Steve, most likely due to the fact that Model A Fords were being restored, and interest in getting them perfectly accurate in their restorations sparked the rise of paint suppliers mixing to as close to the actual colors as possible--beginning in the late 1950's.  However, interest in 1930's era mass-production cars as collectible restoration subjects did not have nearly that sort of popularity until the mid-late 1970's.

Art