The color might the sun versus the engine compartment being shadowed by the hood. The cowl is the same color as the inner fenders and firewall. It is a cool car!
I would have bought a driver so that I could enjoy it while I raise my kids instead of having a perpetual project in my garage! Oh well, it will be nice when (if) it is ever completed!
I bought a $50 one and it was a mess. Ended buying one for $100 of EBay from a guy that goes by "American muscle" and it fit like a glove. Be careful going cheap!!
I sold a 270 Hemi this summer. I am still hanging onto my 354 for the time being. Always wanted to build a 32 Ford or something similar with an old school Hemi in it. I can build better HP cheaper, but the looks of the Hemi are hard to beat!
That dime is 90% silver. My guess is that it is just really oxidized! Don't polish it - leave it as is! You will kill the value of it (if you really were gonna plan to sell it)