Did Audio Research ever make an LS 17 or LS 17 SE preamp that is all silver

Hello everyone, if you can please help me I would greatly appreciate it.  I ordered an Audio Research Ref 75 SE amplifier and LS 17 SE preamplifier from a local shop here in town.  The shop did not have the LS 17 SE in stock so I never saw a physical copy, but  I researched the LS 17 SE on the Audio Research website and the only picture that Audio Research had for the LS 17 SE was all silver -- a silver front plate and silver on the top and sides.  I discussed the color with the shop here in town and ordered a silver LS 17 SE and a silver Ref 75 SE.  The equipment finally came and the Ref 75 SE was all silver, but the LS 17 SE has a silver face plate and a black top/side.  The store told me that Audio Research never made an LS 17  or SE that was all silver, that the picture looked all silver because of the lighting that they used, and that my best option was to use a can of Rustoleum spray paint and spray paint the LS 17 SE and the Ref 75 SE (so that the Ref 75 SE would match).  Needless to say, after spending almost $13,000 on these two pieces, I was pretty upset at the suggestion that I should spray paint them.  I can not believe that Audio Research would advertise and post a picture of an LS 17 SE in all silver when they did not ever make an all silver LS 17 SE.  Because of this and other issues I have had with my local store I am not sure what to believe so I thought I would ask for help here -- does anyone know if Audio Research ever made an LS 17 or an LS 17 SE preamplifier that had a silver face plate and was also silver on the top and sides?  Also, does anyone here have any thoughts on spray painting this brand new equipment?  Thank you all so much in advance for your help and advice.