The 7030/50 production was  in 73/74 -- there were actually a few delivered in Dec 1972 and some 7060's were built in 74.  Most of the 30/50's were built in 1973 and early 74.

Only the first few say 200 had the black cab front.   The acceptance of the 7000 series was mixed.  The replacement for the 210/220 was a different color orange, felt more sluggish, and the hp problems were ramped .  The fuel had a top draw from a plastic tube, the fuel pumps had no torque screws and generally had to go head to head with tractors not weighted like the 7000s were ,  and were generally more hp and peppier than the 7030/50 were.  The early units had a torque limiter that easily slipped and resulted in some erratic clutch operation from a clutch that suffered from some machining tolerance in clutch pistons and resulting sealing.  The mechanics knew nothing of the new hydraulic systems and the resulting learning curves  didn't let the units get off to a super quick start.  But times were good and dealers were off to the hp races.  Some dealers took to the the new units and sold in #'s , others lamented the loss of simplicity of the 210/220 and fell by the wayside.  The 7000/8000, once the original bug were killed,  has proved to be the most durable power train and hydraulic system in their hp class of all competitors - in that era.

I treasure the stories like you shared - thanks. Things were not always rosy. And, like JiminND commented, there was a tractor shortage during these years, which may have been a blessing for AC, given the necessary time to re-work tolerances, torque limiter, & learning curves. I always figured the early AC One-Ninety transmission issue was their only huge debacle. Despite all, I give AC credit for being the innovator. New features are never cheap & seldom right the first go around. Makes me appreciate AC even more.