Any more thoughts on this? I`m doing my 71 cuda push in shifter now and the arms were def black phosphate but the shifter body I`m not so sure .Looks like it was either black phos or possible the same finish as rear drum backing plates.....

Black Phosphate

thanks,thats how i did mine,looks right....

I have NOS bolt in style and it's dark like phosphate.

But NOS product meant to be on a dealer shelve can have different spec for protective coating versus assembly line. Think Master Cylinder and lids. How many cars running around with plated disc brake MC lids because NOS came that way, when assembly line were painted black.