PF Coupe restoration questions and observations

[Todd Drysdale]

Hello,
I've finally found the time to work on my 61 PF Coupe. The cars original bill of sale states that it was painted black and everything seems to point to it being black. However, upon stripping the paint, I've noticed that the black topcoat is very thin and under it is a much thicker layer of white paint. Under the white is a layer of dark grey primer and over all the welds and lead work is a layer of redish primer.
My question is this... Is the white paint this cars original colour or is it some sort of high build primer coat.
In places it seems hard and shiny but in areas like the hood it seems very porous and "chalky", perhaps from the heat?
Or was this car originally white and quickly painted at the factory for a customer?

Some observations so far........ The quality of the welds is incredible. Hardly visible.
The front fenders are (I think) stampings and not hand beaten. I can see all over its surface very tiny pin-pricks in straight lines. Is this from small points in the press to keep the sheet steel from slipping while being pressed?
There is alot of lead used where the hood meets the front nose and around door gaps. The original paint was cracked wherever it covered lead.
Thats all for now.
Todd