Looks like almost rolled on paint. That area as we know can get pretty surface rusty. I think, looking at everything else, they just didn't spend the right amount of time on it.

the engine looks like it's painted with flat high temp orange (like header) paint. The tubs look nice, and the Firewall seam looks ok, build plate is fully painted, so it's probably been refinished.

I'd love to see it underneath.