The Colorful History of OLIVER TRACTORS
Tractor colors have been chosen for varied reasons. Henry Ford’s 9N, for instance, was painted a light “battleship gray” from 1939 until 1948, when Ford’s grandson, Henry Ford II, came out with the Ford 8N painted in what is now referred to as a “red belly” and a lighter gray hood, fenders and wheels. Since cast iron tends to rust more quickly than sheet metal, Ford’s designers decided to paint the body red. That way, when the paint wore down to the red primer, it would be less noticeable.
During World War II, all-orange British Fordsons were easy targets for German bombers. The decision was quickly made to paint all British Fordsons (new and old) green to blend into the countryside.
Harry C. Merritt, once manager
