Ford goes color blind

[gfitzge2]

Ford does special paint runs for fleet customers. Have worked for several companies that have their own paint code for f-150,250,350 and medium duty trucks they order from Ford. You can do the same but I bet minimum order is probably several hundred trucks a year. Worked for one shop that ordered their trucks without A/C from the factory regardless of trim level.

You are correct. I don't know how many it takes to get a special color but it is a lot. Kentucky Truck once built a large order for .... I think it was UPS, they had their own set of specifications including an air operated starter. It was extremely loud and would scare the hell out of you when it started up if you were not expecting it.?

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[P. A. Schilke]

I started at Ky. Truck Plant when it was Truck Operations and almost all trucks were special order. We had multiple colors and even many shades of white, something like 15 different shades. So many Fleet buyers had their own special paint colors and Ford was willing to accommodate them. Con-Way Freight was orange and white and Ford built thousands of them. But later when we started building Super Duty trucks we fell more into the standard colors. Only occasionally could someone buy enough fleet orders to get their own special color. The one that stands out the most to me was during Operation Desert Storm when we built so many Desert Tan trucks for the military. Great pride in the plant seeing those going down the line.

Hi Gregg,

How is this? Proudly displayed at my shop workbench...

I salvaged this from Bldg 1 during our move to PDC in the R&E complex.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[gfitzge2]

Hi Gregg,

How is this? Proudly displayed at my shop workbench...

I salvaged this from Bldg 1 during our move to PDC in the R&E complex.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

That is awesome.

 

[r1ch999999]

If I had gotten a better deal for a truck in a color I didn't want I was just going to wrap it.

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

Well as a Magnetic Metallic owner I guess that color is being deleted too.. We have bought A bright silver color the past few new vehicles: 2009 Ram, 2016 Escape and 2020 Escape, though on the '20 escape she really liked the magnetic like my '19 Ranger BUT with the plant closed in March due to C-19 we had to choose what was available. Oddly I just did not feel the light silver did the Ranger any justice. We also had a used '99 Jeep G. Cherokee in Pewter, that was a nice color even when dirty.

Colors always change, hot one year dated the next. Depending on the mood and demographics of the focus group.

 

[r1ch999999]

I wonder how much environmental rules play into this, I read somewhere some colors were cancelled because of the VOCs involved. I don't know if that is true.

 

[gfitzge2]

Honestly, I think within 10 years you will only see cars painted in three colors like white, black and a grey blue or red. And the dealership will offer vehicle wrapping if you want another color.

Greg,

That is an idea that had not occurred to me, but I bet you are spot on. It makes perfect sense. Wrapping technology has come a long way and the custom possibilities are unlimited. Most NASCAR race cars are wrapped now days. Although I did read that Roger Penske still prefers real paint on his race cars, but will use wraps when necessary. I can envision the manufacturers build and price site with a custom graphics section where you design your own graphics for your order. That would be pretty cool. The look of cars would change drastically. In a few years if you grow tired of it, just peel it off and design a new one. ?

 

[Motorpsychology]

Actually I have, it was a Cadillac and he special ordered a color. It was back in the early 2000's and I can't remember what the cost was but it wasn't cheap. Money was no object for him as he owned a machine shop and wanted a specific color that was not standard. Just not sure this can be done toady but with enough money you can do just about anything.

Cadillac Division would paint your new Fleetwood any color you wanted: match the trim on your house or your mistress' eyes. Ford fleet Vehicle Special Orders (VSOs) can be pained in a unique or non RPO color, production timing is/was 60-90 days from the order date back when I was selling. Of course, back then rear antilock brakes were state of the art.
I don't know if this is possible or too impractical for a retail build, but I'm gonna try!

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Cadillac Division would paint your new Fleetwood any color you wanted: match the trim on your house or your mistress' eyes. Ford fleet Vehicle Special Orders (VSOs) can be pained in a unique or non RPO color, production timing is/was 60-90 days from the order date back when I was selling. Of course, back then rear antilock brakes were state of the art.
I don't know if this is possible or too impractical for a retail build, but I'm gonna try!

Hi Chris,

I wonder if DSO is still around...never checked. Dealer Special Order.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I started at Ky. Truck Plant when it was Truck Operations and almost all trucks were special order. We had multiple colors and even many shades of white, something like 15 different shades. So many Fleet buyers had their own special paint colors and Ford was willing to accommodate them. Con-Way Freight was orange and white and Ford built thousands of them. But later when we started building Super Duty trucks we fell more into the standard colors. Only occasionally could someone buy enough fleet orders to get their own special color. The one that stands out the most to me was during Operation Desert Storm when we built so many Desert Tan trucks for the military. Great pride in the plant seeing those going down the line.

Hi Gregg,

Once we dumped Heavy Truck, KTP became more of a regular production assembly plant. When Jim Donaldson, VP was put in charge of Truck Operations (We were not a division like Transmission etc because we were so small at that time) Sterline became the new brand. Behind the scenes was pretty messy and the Heavy Truck Chief Engineer was unceremoniously booted from Ford. Arrogant fellow and not a tear was shed on his departure.

I benefited as I got a Vehicle Dynamics engineer from Heavy Truck, Doug S. who plunged into revamping the Ranger 4x4 as part of the FX4 venture.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Motorpsychology]

Hi Chris,

I wonder if DSO is still around...never checked. Dealer Special Order.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

I'll find out late this winter when I plan to order; maybe try to arrange a plant tour and follow it from the paint shop forward. My grandparents did that when he retired. They went by rail from Minneapolis to Detroit and picked up their brand new 1950 Plymouth DeLuxe 4dr right from the factory and then drove to New Jersey where my aunt was getting married.

I think also there's a "Know who you Know" aspect at play, too. At the first Ford dealer I sold at, the dealer principal had a Crown Victoria ordered for a prominent friend of his. It was a fully loaded car including padded vinyl roof and silver-over-grey two tone paint. Typical gestation then for a St Thomas car was 12-15 weeks. When the car arrived, it was grey-over-silver, and the VIP was unhappy. Nine or ten days later, a correct silver-over-grey Vic showed up on the transport.

 

[Motorpsychology]

.

 

[gfitzge2]

Hi Gregg,

Once we dumped Heavy Truck, KTP became more of a regular production assembly plant. When Jim Donaldson, VP was put in charge of Truck Operations (We were not a division like Transmission etc because we were so small at that time) Sterline became the new brand. Behind the scenes was pretty messy and the Heavy Truck Chief Engineer was unceremoniously booted from Ford. Arrogant fellow and not a tear was shed on his departure.

I benefited as I got a Vehicle Dynamics engineer from Heavy Truck, Doug S. who plunged into revamping the Ranger 4x4 as part of the FX4 venture.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Probably most folks don't realize that Ford Designed and once built this truck.

Sterling was created following the 1997 acquisition of the heavy-truck product lines of Ford Motor Company by Freightliner. Introduced as a rebadged version of Ford Louisville/Aeromax product line.

"KTP became more of a regular production assembly plant."

Phil,
That's true, we became just another Vehicle Operations plant. But getting what was then called "Commercial Light Truck" and is now Super Duty was, in the long run very good for KTP. Present plant population is over 9000 employees. The total order bank as of late September was right at 100,000 including Superduty, Expedition and Navigator. Even in these difficult times, mandatory overtime weekend production is on the schedule. They can sell every one they can build.

From the sidelines, I cheer them on. I want my retirement deposits to continue on.?

 

[SuperBford]

When colors are changed, I'm guessing it generally means they aren't selling well enough.... I like both Cyber Orange and Lightning Blue... but I ended up with Race Red... I am a fan of the new orange and blue also... and love Cactus Green.

 

[FordFreak]

Actually they're not even close. Certain pictures/lighting make them look similar but I've seen the Velocity Blue several times up close and it's a lot lighter than the Lightning Blue. This picture is more true to the color.

That’s Grabber Blue...

And this is Kona Blue

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