What is the correct engine compartment color for 71-72 Comet's? I have seen original photos and also original cars in both body color and satin black. Thanks
Most all of mine are body color but quite a few guys have them in black. If you're hasn't been repainted you should be able to tell.
Only the 1970 models came black in the engine compartment. All other years and models came body color.
I've never owned or seen a 71+ Maverick with the engine compartment painted black from the factory ... but other folks on here swear there's is black and should chime in here soon .... I could see on the assembly line if for some reason the engine compartment paint was scratched or chipped ... they would just paint it black on the line instead of sending it back to the paint shop. Also ... my Maverick Assembly Line Manual for 1971 does say to paint the Engine Compartment black ... But the revision date on that page is July 1970 ... My 71 Grabber was built January 1971 with a Red engine compartment ... so I assume the engine bay painting instructions were revised at some point.
Here is a picture of the engine compartment of the 71 Grabber I bought from Doug Bauer. It sure appears to be factory black to me. Car is dated 12/70
Looks factory to me too .. If the factory decals were still on the shock tower ... I would say 100% it was factory black ... Going by the build date ... perhaps they switched sometime in December or January to body color.
I have 2 72 Comets and one has satin black under the hood. This an orginal one owner green GT. The other was a one owner tan 2 door body color under the hood. It is now a black GT clone.
My 73 engine compartment is factory black and my 72 is body color. It may have to do where the car was assembled. The 73 is (F) Dearborn and the 72 is (K) Kansas City.
All of my Mavs match the body color for under the hood. Both Stallions are black, the 72 grabber is body color, 71 is body color and the 77 is body color. But I have seen cars that are black under hood and are factory that way, I too have believed it is origin of factory location that determines. So now, we need to figure that out. I will check build locations on all mine this weekend, well maybe not my grabber, it is shoehorned into a tight corner and will take blasting to get to. Dan