Unusual Hygain v (The All Black)

Hiya all a friend of mine last summer purchased a highgain v, it’s unusual this one has a complete black front with raised letters marking the various band switches ect ,and what appears to be a Concorde (mark 1) board, the radio has genuine white dials and a complete factory black finish to the front. Anybody owned one or any story’s or history,    He has owned and very familiar with the mark 1 and 2 radios for over 40 years and is never seen one before, theory that it maybe a first edition. 
   Thanks all Martin.

Not seen one for many years but they had a silver/gray coloured band round the front from memory.
Don't recall seeing one all black like that.
Not had a spray job has it but if it has it's a good one.

I've seen many a resprayed/restored Hygain V myself Alan but not with raised lettering like that. 

Then again there were at least half a dozen different variants of that rig, different PCB chassis numbers and sometimes production runs that utilised whatever parts were available to them at the time so a right old mish-mash. Add forty odd years of 'modifications' and customised rigs and there's no telling.

Cheers for posting Martin and I hope your friend is happy with it regardless of the heritage.

Nice radio.

I like it

nice tidy radio from late 70s early 80s and still looking better then new idea radios and still be going in 40+ years.