Hi Darryl,
You were right re the colour it was actually the same as the top. The original paint is still under the darker colour and it came off just using my fingernails (see name plate photo). Even the blades are in great condition and not a type I have seen at the mower shop. I took the plate off that had been screwed to the side and it would have been put there assuming that he lost the side cover and there was also a bit missing from the base at that point.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]