Did Saginaw transmissions come from the factory painted, or were they bare metal? The one in question is an M20 for a 68. TIA for your help.

Saginaw trans are cast iron and unpainted. If they were painted, it didn't last long.

Muncie trans are alum and unpainted.

You're asking about an M20, Muncie, alum case. Another identifier between the two brands is the Saginaw has all three shift arms on the side cover. Muncie has only the forward gear shift arms on the side cover, reverse shift arm is on the extension/tailhousing.

Thanks Everett. I have a Muncie M20 in the car now, I just picked up a Saginaw M20 in case I ever want to go totally original. It wasn't painted when i bought it, but I wanted to be sure.