When my family bought a KDI-17a back in 1975, the machine didn't include front panels. The buyer selected panels from a choice of colors, including stainless steel (which is what we got), brushed chrome, a frame for a custom wood panel, and the other standard color choices of the era. I know there was an extra charge for stainless, but I don't know if the 'base' price included a choice of white, avocado, gold, etc., or if there was a charge for *any* selection.