I've got a ? for you guys that have been drivin these cars through the whole mopar musclecar saga. When did owners start painting the engine compartments black and why? Mine was black when I bought it too ,(rattle canned). I just thought it was to make the ( jewel ) engine stick out. I see alot of cars projects that have the black rattle can treatment. Mine wiped right off with a little laquer thinner and the Factory burnt orange paint popped right back out. Unfortunately for the paint i stripped it to the metal and repainted the compartment J5. Not judging just asking to get the history behind it.