I agree, all you say makes sense, but I am curious as to why the Cobra Jet registry is indicating the Corporate Blue was painted over with a semi-gloss black in the areas I have indicated??
Those are the only pictures of an original sample I have seen with the blacked out areas on the lid and lower bowl of the filter housing.
Once the element is installed and the lid is on, you would never see the blacked out areas, so why spend the time and money doing it??
I have also painted my housing pieces a slightly shinier hue of Corporate Blue than my engine, as I agree they where painted separately from the engine.
Need to get my hands on an Autolite filter element for shows will use the Wix element for driving as it flows better than most for performance.