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Did Henry Ford say black?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 13, 2026

One of Henry Ford's famous quotes about the Model T was, "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants, so long as it is black." The Model T only came in black because the production line required compromise so that efficiency and improved quality could be achieved.

Did Henry Ford say any color as long as it is black?

Henry Ford (1863-1947) documented that he made the “any color so long as it is black” comment during a meeting in 1909 (Henry Ford in collaboration with Samuel Crowther in My Life and Work.

Who said you can have any color you want as long as it's black?

“You can have any color you want, as long as it's black.”—Henry Ford [2000x1473] [OC]

Why did Henry Ford use black?

While Henry Ford did say “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it's black,” the policy was in place solely for efficiency and uniformity.

Why were all Model A black?

The reason for that was, the Ford Model T looked really good in black. Black paint was and still is, cheaper. Black could also be easily applied by almost anyone as it doesn't require much detailing and precision like other paints. But in the late 1920s, competitors of the Model T were offered in different colours.

38 related questions found

Why was the Model T Ford sold only in black?

Black was the only color the Model T came in from 1914 through 1925, and the reason was economics, not style. Black was the only color paint that could be dried quickly, and speed was important at the Ford plant because of its enormous volume.

Why did Ford paint all the cars black?

All colors of were of darker shades. Interestingly enough, black was not offered as a color initially. However, from 1914 to 1926, all Model T Fords were indeed painted black. The reason behind this color choice was purely economic: Ford wanted to produce the most number of automobiles in the least amount of time.

What did Henry Ford say?

“Success is 99% failure.” “There is no failure except failure to serve one's purpose.” “One of the greatest discoveries a person makes, one of their great surprises, is to find they can do what they were afraid they couldn't do.” “The way to learn to do things is to do things.

What Colour was the first car?

Things were not always this gloomy. From the dawn of motoring through the 1920s, cars were painted in a full spectrum of colours, often in vivid combinations. The world's first motor vehicle, the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen was green, with its fully-exposed engine finished in bright red.

Is white a color?

Some consider white to be a color, because white light comprises all hues on the visible light spectrum. And many do consider black to be a color, because you combine other pigments to create it on paper. But in a technical sense, black and white are not colors, they're shades.

When did Henry Ford pay $5 a day?

In 1914, Henry Ford took the radical step of paying workers $5 per day for a 40-hour work week; he called this compensation "profit-sharing." Ford's turnover problem disappeared. In addition, Ford workers could buy the cars they produced, benefitting the company.

What is the symbolism of black?

Black Color Psychology

In color psychology, black's color meaning is symbolic of mystery, power, elegance, and sophistication. In contrast, the color meaning can also evoke emotions such as sadness and anger. Many fashion retailers have used black in their logos.

What was Henry Ford's favorite food?

So what were Ford's favorite foods? Buckwheat pancakes appear to be his favorite food. He ate them whenever he wanted and if the kitchen staff was asleep, he'd make them himself.

Why was the Ford Model T so important?

Importance. The Model T, also known as the "Tin Lizzie", changed the way Americans live, work and travel. Henry Ford's revolutionary advancements in assembly-line automobile manufacturing made the Model T the first car to be affordable for a majority of Americans.

Why was the Ford Model T so historically important?

The Model T, sold by the Ford Motor Company from 1908 to 1927, was the earliest effort to make a car that most people could actually buy. Modern cars were first built in 1885 in Germany by Karl Benz, and the first American cars in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1893 by Charles and Frank Duryea.

How much did a Model T cost?

Before the Model T, cars were a luxury item: At the beginning of 1908, there were fewer than 200,000 on the road. Though the Model T was fairly expensive at first (the cheapest one initially cost $825, or about $18,000 in today's dollars), it was built for ordinary people to drive every day.

Why are there no purple cars?

The reason there aren't more of them on the road is simply that dealers and customers rarely order their new vehicles in purple. Cars that are available in purple tend to be the types of cars that would get you noticed whatever color they are, and having one in purple only makes them even more noticeable.

Why are so many cars black or white?

Automakers pay close attention to trends, so it's a safe bet any model will be available in white. Colors such as green and orange are far less common, and only a handful of automakers produce purple cars. Because so many people buy new white cars, vehicles in other colors are also harder to find on the used market.

What is Ford blue?

Blue Certified vehicles – those 10 years or newer with 120,000 miles or less – pass a 139-point inspection and come with 90-day/4,000-mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warrantyi coverage. This all-new certification level allows dealers to certify both Ford and non-Ford vehicles.

What is Henry Ford most famous quote?

Henry Ford Quotes To Inspire The Automotive Enthusiast

  • "Don't find fault, find a remedy." - ...
  • "Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." - ...
  • "Obstacles are those frightful things that you see when you take your eyes off your goal." -

Did Henry Ford really say whether you think you can?

—Caskie. Henry Ford said, “Think you can, think you can't; either way you'll be right.” Be careful of what you imagine yourself becoming. “If you think you can or can't, you are right.” —Henry Ford.

What color were cars in the 1920s?

The "Roaring" 1920s

The automotive industry recognized car buyers wanted to express themselves with their cars, and they had the means to do it. Dark green, maroon, and blue became popular colors. Cream-colored cars were in style for higher-end cars like Cadillacs and Buicks.

Why are cars not colorful anymore?

Dealers prefer to stock only the most popular-selling colors, and those customers interested in less commonly stocked colors opt out of spending the time necessary to order a vehicle from the factory. In turn, because demand for bolder color offerings is in decline, manufacturers stop offering certain hues.

What kind of paint did Henry Ford use?

Of course, the black car paint that Ford put on his Model T actually was not “automotive” paint at all, but just the existing paint technology available at the beginning of the 20th century: a paint based on natural linseed oil resin as the binder.

How many Model A's were made?

Model A production ended in March 1932, after 4,858,644 had been made in all body styles. Its successor was the Model B, which featured an updated inline four-cylinder engine, as well as the Model 18, which introduced Ford's new flathead (sidevalve) V8 engine.