Vignale paint

[davidalanbatt]

Looking at our newly acquired vignale, the underside of the bonnet and boot are painted black, rather than in the body colour which is silver. Can anyone tell me if this is original? I notice the inner wings and bulkheads of Flavias seem to be painted black, so I take it this is how they left the factory?

[rogerelias]

Hi Paul . I thought by now you would have had a reply from a Flavia expert to your question!  All i can say is the engine bay of my Vignale is a sort of textured black finish, my 1800 coupe that i had before was the same, the boot lid is coloured as the rest of the car is, it may be how the under bonnet area is mean't to be, but  I don't know for sure, so now it's time for the experts to comment. Regards Roger. P.S. how about some pics, and i presume not over heating now!

[ncundy]

Weerninks' book shows the engine bay painted black and the inner wings painted black - no photos of an open bonnet. Try an image search on google to see if it throws up any period pictures.

[davidalanbatt]

Thanks Roger & Ncundy, I have already tried a search for an image but have had no luck so far.
Maybe I will just leave it black.
As regards the overheating, I think both head gaskets will need repacing. The coolant level in the radiator keeps falling and I keep finding coolant pooling on top of the gaskets on both sides. I did a chemical block test and it was OK, but I think it is probably safer to change the gaskets.
i will get some pictures next time the car is out.
Regards
paul