I have searched the forums and can't find the answer to this puzzle. A man has posted this mower on Facebook and I've never seen one of this burgundy/maroon colour.
I suggested to him that it's likely been repainted at some point, especially given the height adjuster is a matching colour.
Then another commentor said he has one in an identical colour, but a solid deck with a B&S engine date stamped October 1978. Curious if anyone had any ideas whether this was actually a colour or someone went rogue at some point in SB history?!