Austin Eight engine colours

[Rob van Meel]

Hi all,

I have a 1945 Austin eight Saloon, and presently am overhauling the engine: fitting new valves, seats, pistons rings and bearing shells etc. But what colour should such a small (900 cc) Austin four cylinder side valve engine be?
A spare engine used for some small parts is bright green, and the one that came from the car is partly black, with some spots of what looks like red-oxide paint and some smudges of a 'army' green, slightly lighter than the post war dark bronze green.

Any suggestions?

Rob