QUOTE(davep @ Feb 17 2008, 05:20 PM)
I'd guess that the panels were painted lightly with whatever leftover paint was available as a anti-rust coating. Then frontal areas that might be visible got the matt-black finish. Using leftover paint for hidden areas saved some cost. Since these panels were painted in a different production area they would not be colour matched to the car body.
I suspect you've upon it. Unlike many/most cars, the 914 dash is bolt-in.
Probably would have been produced even in another facility & shipped for final assembly. Any color available would probably have been used for corrosion protection.
Inerestingly, mine is painted (dusted) the same color as the rest of the car.
Probably luck of the draw, though.
Pat