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wmgmitchell
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-- 02-07-2012 @ 3:55 PM
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Mike, didn't the 40 business coupe come with black floor mats originally? The mat in the photo of your interior looks to be a lighter color. What's the deal?
Bill
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kubes40
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-- 02-07-2012 @ 5:47 PM
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Bill, It is a common and long held misunderstanding that some of our '40 Fords came with black mats. In reality there was ONE color of mat for all models. Whether that be the "standard" models (Ford V8 models) or the Deluxe models, ALL mats were Benton Gray.
The closest you are likely to find in what is called "Taupe" by the guys offering reproductions.
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wmgmitchell
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-- 02-07-2012 @ 5:53 PM
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So, if the reproductions are a taupe color, is Benton gray a medium gray?
Bill
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kubes40
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-- 02-08-2012 @ 11:40 AM
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Bill,
There remains much disagreement as to what Benton Gray truly was. Most agree it was much darker than the current reproduced "taupe" mats.
However, with the passage of decades even the best kept mats discolored quite a bit.
I have possessed NOS mats that appeared nearly black only due to age. they were obviously stored out of light and I should think out of severe elements.
Mats found in very authentic and unaltered cars I've owned were nearly black as well. On the bottom of these mats one could discern a color I would describe as more of a brown than gray.
I know, not much help but hopefully I can at the very least offer up what we as fanatical restorers are up against 
Kind regards,
Mike
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alanwoodieman
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-- 02-09-2012 @ 9:14 AM
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in your original cars were the two buttons that hold the mat to the trans tunnel still there? I would assume that they would be very close to the original color of the mat.
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