Factory Finishes

[Bobbys71cuda]

I'm restoring a numbers matching 1971 Cuda 340 4 speed. The original transmission and driveshaft are painted hemi orange. It's faded of course and the transmission has an inspection X chalked on the side over the paint finish. I was under the impression from a Google search, that the tranny and driveshaft were bare metal from the factory. Can someone share their knowledge regarding factory finishes on these parts?

 

[pschlosser]

I concur. With the 727 Auto, I have seen what appears to be factory orange overspray on the bell housing, suggesting the transmission and engine were mated when the engine was painted, but for the most part, the transmission is left unpainted. The driveshaft is unpainted.

 

[pschlosser]

correction: my notes show the bellhousing and inspection cover is often painted the engine color. but the cast iron transmission is unpainted.

 

[Xcudame]

An automatic car would have over spray on the bell housing and dust cover, but a manual transmission would have no overspray. And the driveshaft certainly had no engine paint. It was raw metal with some ink numbers.