Black paint in engine bay forward of the radiator

[terminator]

New to the MG world and looking at a very late 71 MGBL assembled in Australia.

I have noticed a few cars that have matt black paint sprayed over the body colour paint forward of the radiator in the engine bay.

Certainly these cars are very much in the minority. Does anyone know why this was done for a while or if indeed it was factory.

The car I am looking at is claimed to be very original, it is long term (47 years) ownership purchased by current owner when 1 year old and current owner says it was like that when he bought it.

Car definately has not had any frontal accident damage and still has original oil cooler and radiator and definately has body colour underneath the black.

[George Wilder]

An Australian MGB -assuming its a roadster - would have been painted in Australia during assembly.

Best contacts for info on your query here http://mgbsmadeinaustralia.org/

If a GT it would have been assembled in Abingdon - but body assembled and painted at Cowley - no black paint forward of radiator

George

[terminator]

George Wilder wrote:
> An Australian MGB -assuming its a roadster - would have been painted in
> Australia during assembly.
>
> Best contacts for info on your query here http://mgbsmadeinaustralia.org/
>
> If a GT it would have been assembled in Abingdon - but body assembled and
> painted at Cowley - no black paint forward of radiator
>
> George

Thanks George.

I did indeed contact Roger and got a very prompt reply which explained why the paint was added but only here in Australia.

[terminator]

How about the underbody was it mainly black with body colour visible under the guards?

[Ian F]

terminator wrote:
> George Wilder wrote:
> > An Australian MGB -assuming its a roadster - would have been painted in
> > Australia during assembly.
> >
> > Best contacts for info on your query here http://mgbsmadeinaustralia.org/
> >
> > If a GT it would have been assembled in Abingdon - but body assembled and
> > painted at Cowley - no black paint forward of radiator
> >
> > George
>
> Thanks George.
>
> I did indeed contact Roger and got a very prompt reply which explained why the paint
> was added but only here in Australia.

Would be very interesting to know what the reason for this paint was! Heat I guess??

IanF

[terminator]

The explanation was after the change over to the black grille those in charge in Australia though it looked weird seeing body colour through a black grille so painted over it to give the grille more depth.

I kind of see what they were on about and definately an aussie only thing apparently.