[Tigers] Paint behind grille work

[Curt Meinel]

Owain,
 
I purchased my 67 Alpine new and have owned 16 Alpines & Tigers. From the
factory my Alpine had everything behind the lower grille chrome and upper
grille chrome painted a semi-matte black including the curved sides.  I have
had many other original Tigers and Alpines that had the same. and it didn't
matter what the body color was. Most of the repainted cars I've purchased have
had body color behind the grille, I guess to save time & money.
I guess Rootes did it that way to show off the center grille bars!!!!
Hope this helps,
Curt Meinel