Have you ever wondered how Allis-Chalmers tractors got their distinctive shade of orange? It’s not because orange was the only color left! (Although to be fair, a desire to be different might have had something to do with their color selection).
The very first AC tractors were a dull shade of green. Everything changed in 1929, when Harry Meritt took a trip to California. Merritt was the manager of Allis’s budding tractor department. He must have been thinking over the question of color one day when he traveled past a field of brilliant, blooming poppies. As they waved in the breeze, the color struck a chord with Merrit.
He went back to the factory and convinced his colleagues that orange was the right choice. The shade was named Persian Orange after the poppies (a native crop of ancient Persia, now modern-day Iran).
If you are painting an AC tractor, you should know that the company used two different shades of Persian Orange (Persian Orange #1 and Persian Orange #2). If getting the shade exactly right is important to you, then you’ll want to do careful research to determine which color to use. Later AC tractors used a different orange altogether, called Corporate Orange.
As a child, I painted my bedroom a similar shade of bright orange (much to my mother’s chagrin). While it might be a bit much for a little girl’s bedroom, the color sure makes a statement!
Skip Stein says
HI Rahchel and friends:
I am a fan of AC tractors and their Persian Orange jackets. I see the color as ‘organic’ and it reminds me of nature.
Dan Mooney says
I have a 1965 Allis-Chalmers D-15 that I restored some 15 – 20 years ago. At that time, one could buy Allis-Chalmers orange over the counter at paint stores, even in spray cans. I used tlhis “over the counter” paint, which was very close to the color I remember when I raked hay with my “orange baby” at 12 years old back in Wyoming. I did not know there were other colors of orange used on Allis-Chalmers, but I notice that Allis-Chalmers orange is still available in spray and gallon containers and is still listed in the available codes used to concoct the color for industrial use. As I remember, it was Ace Hardware that stocked the color.
Jake says
Thanks for the interesting info. I first learned to drive a tractor on an AC WD when I was quite young in 1960.
Jeff Jensen says
Rachel,
Many years ago I saw a restored AC model G in a parade and fell in love with the simplistic design. Since retiring this year, I’ve been searching for one that is in restorable condition. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Jeff Jensen
Odessa, MN
Kurt says
There is a restored G model on Facebook in the marketplace. It is in Lanett, AL. I saw it on 1 Sept 2019. I believe it is one of the two my Dad has and traded as basket cases before 2010 to a tractor dealer owner whose passion was restoring tractors.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2326178654312686/
The price is listed as $1234 which is how folks list things when they do not have a set price.
I have at least one implement for the G model tractor.
Keith Martin says
What implement do you have and where are you located?
Barbara says
Hello!
What year and model is the tractor in your photo? This is exactly the one I grew up with and am looking for one to buy and restore.
Please let me know
Thank you!
Kurt says
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2326178654312686/
I am sure the price is not as low as $1234 but the owner is looking for a buyer of s fully restored G model.
Ronald Gonshorowski says
I am in the process of restoring an Allis Chalmers H-3 crawler.
I was told by previous owner that it was vintage mid 70’s .
I have found the engine s/n but not the other number.
I have been planning to powder coat the engine, rather than high temp paint. I don’t know the best choice.
The blade is for some reason yellow in color, I think it is actually an A/C blade.
Yesterday I found out that the engine is identical to a D-15 and this a big help to me because if I ask for H-3 parts I get a blank stare.
Now I know what to say.
I hope to video or at least take a series of pictures and post them online as the restoration progresses.
Claude says
I grew up in northern Canada. We had all Allis tractors.
From a w-d, a w-d45, 2 d-17’s one d-19, one 170,
one 190xt and a d-19.
I miss seeing the color orange. When I do see a Allis is someone’s
Yard it takes me back to when I was a kid. 🙂
We only had one John Deere. Hahaha it was a model R two cylinder
diesel.
Michael says
What is the difference between oranges and how can we identify them?
Michael says
Thanks for any help. I have a 79 allis chalmers 611ltd. Thanks
Darrell Friesen says
I painted my dad’s 1953 WD “corporate” orange in 1986 as the “persian” orange, in my opinion, is lackluster. The paint was also lead based (headaches from that stuff). It is still on there!
Planning a full restoration in a year or two so engine rebuild and clutch, oil seals, etc… Rear tires are new. Fronts are great yet after 40 years (kept in shed on cement slab all year round).
Mike says
I Have A 1971 Allis Chalmers 190 XT Diesel And I Have Used It Since I Was 12 And She Still Runs Like No Other.