Yep, the Model “T” was in fact available in multiple colors originally, I’m not a Ford historian, but it seems that the “any color,as long as it’s black” thing coincided with the 1914+ ramp up of production. (Pre ’14s, red was “common” for example.).
Well I’m guilty of having 2 very similar white Fords and sometimes I’ve got in my Daughters instead of mine. I do have my spot but there are times when for example my mother in law comes over and parks in my or my daughter’s spot then we are forced to take the others space. So later we have got in the others car based on where it is parked. Since they are ex fleet vehicles that share the same fleet code, it is possible to get in and drive off. However mine has grey interior and my Daughter’s has tan. She is also much shorter and has the seat and pedals much closer together than I do so I can’t really just hop in.
Not a problem back in the 1960’s when Ford used a small number of key configurations. My 63 Fairlane ignition key worked perfectly in the ignition lock of one of our 61 Falcons.
roger628
Posted November 12, 2016 at 8:27 PM
The key for our ’72 Comet worked in our ’76 Elite, but not vice versa.
Old Pete
Posted November 13, 2016 at 2:49 PM
A friends ’77 Escort key worked in my ’74 Cortina.
Ford locks have “gates” on only one side. They could cut the two-sided Ford key with the two different cuts. Then program both cars to recognize the same anti-theft transponder in the double-cut key, and they are done.
Except that 50% of the time, they would be inserting the key the wrong way…
Scoutdude
Posted November 13, 2016 at 12:43 AM
I actually did that many years ago well before the days of transponder keys. To make sure I inserted the key right I filled a little notch in one side so that I used it the right way for the ar I wanted to be using at that time. The problem is that the door worked on the bottom of the key while the ignition worked on the top of the key. So I had to flip it after unlocking the door.
My daughter’s car and mine have the same key code, also white Fords. In this case it is because they were both purchased from the same agency and they choose the fleet key option. Unfortunately they do agency specific and not county wide as I’ve got another vehicle from that county and it uses another code.
My folks had two cars of the same year, make and model (different colors).
The insurance agent told them he hated when policyholders did this, because when they’d call to make a claim he would need to know which vehicle. The policyholder would invariably answer, “the red one!”
At least in those days, State Farm’s database didn’t list the vehicle color. The agent felt it was a royal pain to listen to the policyholder complain about having to hang up and then call back with a VIN, so that the claim could proceed.
As someone who works with fashion, I know all too well what you mean. I die inside when a customer asks for me to find something like “The dark blue one” because it does not tell me shit. There are literally 100+ variations of shade and cuts of what you might be referencing. I like to eat too, but if you can’t be bothered to help yourself, I don’t understand what you expect me to do, either?
I bet these cars belong to practical, sensible people. They live in modest but spacious house and own modest very practical wagons that are about 9 years old. I infer that they know what they want and don’t worry about impressing the neighbors.—I like the Ford Focus wagons.
One of them has a hitch. What may they be pulling? kayaks or canoes? Maybe an ordinary trailer for the usual garden stuff?
Also – the one with the hitch is an SES (top trim model for that generation). The other one is an SE. The SES has a color-keyed strip on the tailgate; the SE has a black one.
Either that or this is the world’s smallest Enterprise Rental franchise.
Hmmm, I wonder what their lives are like. Soft rock on the radio, Wonder Bread in the pantry and a preference for vanilla when they stop into Baskin Robbins? 🙂
I’d like to know what would make two people buy the same model of car twice? Why not something a little bigger for a second vehicle?
If my rusty Protege ever dies I’d seriously consider a Focus wagon.
They are abundant up here and in generally good condition. I like this size of car for city driving and the amount of cargo space in back allows me to haul many different sized objects.The ZX5 would a compromise but it too can swallow a lot with the back seats down.
Two words: Good Deal. I would imagine both cars weren’t bought at the same time, that the second one became available later for a very good price and, since they liked the one they had already, went ahead and bought the second. It was just coincidental that the second car happened to be the same color as the first.
Whatever the reason, there’s likely an interesting story behind it.
Well I’d say that they determined it was the perfect size of car for them and they liked the functionality of the wagon. Fact is the Focus is the most common wagon of that size that isn’t a Subaru with all that comes with owning one of those. I’d say it is probably coincidence that the second one is also white.
There’s something that appeals to me about this photo!
The closest I’ve come to this with DDs was owning ’89 and ’90 Civic 3-door hatches, but they were not the same trim level (DX and base) nor color (white and red).
My ex and I had same model year Subaru Leone wagons, mine was a yellow ’83 GL with the 5 speed, hers was a green ’83 GL with the automatic. We used hers on trips and mine was for my commute to work. Other than the auto and the (non-working) cruise, they were identical in every other way except color.
I financed a few of these wagons, one of which was the exact same color and an SE model.
Once they got to around ’04 and up these vehicles can more than hold their own. i definitely don’t have lot of love for these things, but I definitely understand the like. I would say in the Ford vernacular the later Focii of this generation were the best domestics around.
back in the late 90’s there were two senior sisters who lived together down the street . Each had an identical Buick Roadmaster Wagon. We never saw company around I always wondered why they needed 2 of the biggest and most expensive wagons around.
Great photo indeed and there are some households in Portland that own several of the same car. I remember in Danby there is a household with three Red circa 1995 Tran Sports.
So when I was out and about today I passed a house that I ocassionally do in my travels. As is often the case they had two white Fords in their driveway. In this case they are mid 90’s F series Crew Cab 8′ bed 4×4, though one is a DRW.
Other than the slight problem of it not wanting to run in driveable condition my driveway would have had twin Xsaras today blue and green, not identical twins one is petrol automatic and the keeper is turbodiesel manual, the last time this happened it was 3a &3b Hillman Minxes red/white and blue/white, same reason one a driver the other a parts car.
A house in my neighborhood has two final-generation LeSabres, one in a light golden brown and one in silver About as close as you can get without being identical.
For those days they feel like being different, they also have a red C5 ‘Vette convertible…
To paraphrase old Henry, “You can have one in any color you want, all long as it’s white.”
I heard the Model T was available in several factory colors during much of its production history.
Yep, the Model “T” was in fact available in multiple colors originally, I’m not a Ford historian, but it seems that the “any color,as long as it’s black” thing coincided with the 1914+ ramp up of production. (Pre ’14s, red was “common” for example.).
The last few years got colours too.
It certainly simplifies some things, like having to remember what size of tire and oil filter you need.
Yeah, but I have to wonder how often they get their keys mixed up. 😉
Keychain saying “His” and “Hers” and good to go… unless one of them trades spots on purpose to make a prank…
If they lose one, it’s more a case of loss of Focus…
HA! Good one, SB!
Well I’m guilty of having 2 very similar white Fords and sometimes I’ve got in my Daughters instead of mine. I do have my spot but there are times when for example my mother in law comes over and parks in my or my daughter’s spot then we are forced to take the others space. So later we have got in the others car based on where it is parked. Since they are ex fleet vehicles that share the same fleet code, it is possible to get in and drive off. However mine has grey interior and my Daughter’s has tan. She is also much shorter and has the seat and pedals much closer together than I do so I can’t really just hop in.
???
Have BOTH keys on one ring!
That’s an idea.
Have them keyed ALIKE!
Your full of lots of useful ideas today, Bill!
Not a problem back in the 1960’s when Ford used a small number of key configurations. My 63 Fairlane ignition key worked perfectly in the ignition lock of one of our 61 Falcons.
The key for our ’72 Comet worked in our ’76 Elite, but not vice versa.
A friends ’77 Escort key worked in my ’74 Cortina.
Ford locks have “gates” on only one side. They could cut the two-sided Ford key with the two different cuts. Then program both cars to recognize the same anti-theft transponder in the double-cut key, and they are done.
Except that 50% of the time, they would be inserting the key the wrong way…
I actually did that many years ago well before the days of transponder keys. To make sure I inserted the key right I filled a little notch in one side so that I used it the right way for the ar I wanted to be using at that time. The problem is that the door worked on the bottom of the key while the ignition worked on the top of the key. So I had to flip it after unlocking the door.
My daughter’s car and mine have the same key code, also white Fords. In this case it is because they were both purchased from the same agency and they choose the fleet key option. Unfortunately they do agency specific and not county wide as I’ve got another vehicle from that county and it uses another code.
I would have a sick urge to put Nike “swooshes” on ’em both ?
HA! The Air Force One and the Air Force Two!
My folks had two cars of the same year, make and model (different colors).
The insurance agent told them he hated when policyholders did this, because when they’d call to make a claim he would need to know which vehicle. The policyholder would invariably answer, “the red one!”
At least in those days, State Farm’s database didn’t list the vehicle color. The agent felt it was a royal pain to listen to the policyholder complain about having to hang up and then call back with a VIN, so that the claim could proceed.
Yeah, “Hey, which car should we take?” “Let’s take the white one.”
As someone who works with fashion, I know all too well what you mean. I die inside when a customer asks for me to find something like “The dark blue one” because it does not tell me shit. There are literally 100+ variations of shade and cuts of what you might be referencing. I like to eat too, but if you can’t be bothered to help yourself, I don’t understand what you expect me to do, either?
I bet these cars belong to practical, sensible people. They live in modest but spacious house and own modest very practical wagons that are about 9 years old. I infer that they know what they want and don’t worry about impressing the neighbors.—I like the Ford Focus wagons.
One of them has a hitch. What may they be pulling? kayaks or canoes? Maybe an ordinary trailer for the usual garden stuff?
It might be their way to identifying between the two.
“Honey, I want this trip to go off without a hitch.” Now you know which car to take.
Also – the one with the hitch is an SES (top trim model for that generation). The other one is an SE. The SES has a color-keyed strip on the tailgate; the SE has a black one.
What is the Oregon script about? the University?
The trailer is a regular garden stuff trailer, parked at the right.
Yes. University of Oregon. Duck fan’s no doubt.
Either that or this is the world’s smallest Enterprise Rental franchise.
Hmmm, I wonder what their lives are like. Soft rock on the radio, Wonder Bread in the pantry and a preference for vanilla when they stop into Baskin Robbins? 🙂
Hmm. Your characterisation is almost the opposite of what I thought. They’re not grey Camrys or F150s.
I like to think the inside of the house is a riot of clashing colors, paisley furniture, pop art wallpaper, and disco balls.
My wife’s uncle & aunt have matching Cadillac Escalade EXTs… same cool vanilla finish, too.
Poor beggers…I can certainly commiserate with them!
Nice colour!
I’d like to know what would make two people buy the same model of car twice? Why not something a little bigger for a second vehicle?
If my rusty Protege ever dies I’d seriously consider a Focus wagon.
They are abundant up here and in generally good condition. I like this size of car for city driving and the amount of cargo space in back allows me to haul many different sized objects.The ZX5 would a compromise but it too can swallow a lot with the back seats down.
What if they each had these before they even met? Talk about a coincidence…
Two words: Good Deal. I would imagine both cars weren’t bought at the same time, that the second one became available later for a very good price and, since they liked the one they had already, went ahead and bought the second. It was just coincidental that the second car happened to be the same color as the first.
Whatever the reason, there’s likely an interesting story behind it.
Well I’d say that they determined it was the perfect size of car for them and they liked the functionality of the wagon. Fact is the Focus is the most common wagon of that size that isn’t a Subaru with all that comes with owning one of those. I’d say it is probably coincidence that the second one is also white.
There’s something that appeals to me about this photo!
The closest I’ve come to this with DDs was owning ’89 and ’90 Civic 3-door hatches, but they were not the same trim level (DX and base) nor color (white and red).
Fleet buyers discount?
My ex and I had same model year Subaru Leone wagons, mine was a yellow ’83 GL with the 5 speed, hers was a green ’83 GL with the automatic. We used hers on trips and mine was for my commute to work. Other than the auto and the (non-working) cruise, they were identical in every other way except color.
I financed a few of these wagons, one of which was the exact same color and an SE model.
Once they got to around ’04 and up these vehicles can more than hold their own. i definitely don’t have lot of love for these things, but I definitely understand the like. I would say in the Ford vernacular the later Focii of this generation were the best domestics around.
I can see the awkward family scenes now: “Dad, it’s time for me to get my first car, and I was thinking about a Focus too. In beige.”
“OUT! Out of my house, you rebel!”
back in the late 90’s there were two senior sisters who lived together down the street . Each had an identical Buick Roadmaster Wagon. We never saw company around I always wondered why they needed 2 of the biggest and most expensive wagons around.
Great photo indeed and there are some households in Portland that own several of the same car. I remember in Danby there is a household with three Red circa 1995 Tran Sports.
I’m currently selling a 2002 Wagon that i just listed today, funny coincidence.
Especially fun if one’s an automatic and one’s a stick.
So when I was out and about today I passed a house that I ocassionally do in my travels. As is often the case they had two white Fords in their driveway. In this case they are mid 90’s F series Crew Cab 8′ bed 4×4, though one is a DRW.
Other than the slight problem of it not wanting to run in driveable condition my driveway would have had twin Xsaras today blue and green, not identical twins one is petrol automatic and the keeper is turbodiesel manual, the last time this happened it was 3a &3b Hillman Minxes red/white and blue/white, same reason one a driver the other a parts car.
Do these come with crisper drawers and icemakers?
Back in the late 90s, a house near me had 2 identical 89-92 colt hatches, one light blue and one dark blue.
A house in my neighborhood has two final-generation LeSabres, one in a light golden brown and one in silver About as close as you can get without being identical.
For those days they feel like being different, they also have a red C5 ‘Vette convertible…