I shot the firewall side of the Stude in white as well as the interior, most, well almost all of it will be covered eventually but someone on here suggested that white makes it easier to work on, especially under the dash, made sense to me so that's what I did. Old eyes need all the light they can get.
I have to admit body color or in some cases, white engine compartments do set off the engine - especially if it's been dolled up. But ... I've always been something of a purist - meaning I've always repainted my firewalls body color, the engine block in factory color, and the inner fenders and radiator support gloss black. I prefer that look, and in addition paint the heater box, blower fan motor, radiator, and master cylinder gloss black. Most of my cars have been FOMOCO, so their blue is applied to the blocks - the exception is my 58 Edsel which has a factory engine color very close to John Deere green, with creme valve covers and air cleaner assembly, and my 55 Merc with its gold block/valve covers. You guys with body color or white underhoods - keep doing it, it looks good, I just like my FOMOCO/gloss black approach.
20 years ago someone told me I’d be stupid to paint a firewall white. 2019, and I’ve built 7 cars, ALL with white firewalls! My Model A coupe Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Some beautiful engine compartments here. I would never be able to keep one as nice so I will go with black.