AJS & Matchless Owners Club

Hi, I would be grateful is someone could tell me the original factory paint colours for the 1957 Matchless and AJS CS Models. What I have read suggests they would have been black but I both a 57 AJ and Matchless which appear to have red tanks painted over black. They have both returned to the UK from the USA and I was wondering if the export models had red tanks. Thanks John

Some export models state red tanks in sales cats. Pictures also show red tanks and guards on some models. I recall years ago a friend brought a lot of new old stock in the 1970's. There were some yellow guards. Thought perhaps from a company order for yellow bikes??