Allot of differecne IMHO in the tone of the tie rod comparign both pictures one of the challenges we often speak of when posting pictures over the web
The bottom picture shows the most contrast - with oil and under the car in the dim light I think it would pass any attention. Cap should look like just new fresh bare steel
I'll post a questions for others here - has any ones seen the stampings on the cap of the tie rods on original Ford tie rods in 65-66 as shown in Alpha1946's example.