[FWDLK] 61 Newport - Originality Questions

["Bruce T Clough" <cloughbt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is volume 1 of many to come as I restore the engine compartment on out
Newport.  We've had the car almost a year and I've been driving it daily during
this Summer.  The prior owner was a little old lady who has her son restore the
car.  During this "restoration" someone painted the engine compartment blank -
wires, windshield washer - you name it, black.  Fortunately, this paint is so
cheap it comes off with paint thinner on a rag!

Should the valve covers say "Golden Lion 361"?  If so, is that decal available?
 If not, what can one do?

Should the hood latch and associated hardware be painted body color or left
natural?

Was the original air filter housing color black, such as Eastwood's Under Hood
Black?

And a question about the interior.  Our dash pad is badly warped above the
instrument cluster and cracked near the mirror.  I'm getting another one that
has minor cracks near the mirror hole.  Should  I just fix the cracks using the
vinyl repair kit and then paint it with vinyl paint, or spend the big bucks to
have a dash resotation specialist redo it for $500?

Oh, almost forgot - what is the best way of reproducing an original trunk mat?

Thanks,

Bruce Clough
clough@xxxxxxxxxx
61 Newport
61 Fury