My old 1972 Grabber's engine compartment was the same color (Yellow) as the outside of the car from the factory. I have seen other Mavericks with black engine compartments and decals that look like they came from the factory that way. Were there specific years when the engine compartment matched the exterior or was it based on the color of the car?
Not sure but some one will chime in. Do a search I think there's some other post on this. My 72 Comet GT was body color.
I think what we had figured out was that cars built in "1970" had BLACK engine bays...cars built in early 1971 went to Body color.....an its safe to say no black engine bays have been seen after 1972.