I believe that Stu is correct for retail or dealer stock vehicles. But fleet or commercial vehicles even today can be painted any color including two-tone . . . if your order is big enough like Standard Oil. I'm not sure about the late '40s and early '50s but for the last 50 years that special paint is usually done by a supplier outside of the plant. So both of you are correct.


Even Coca Cola Red is a special fleet color specified by the buyer. Today most of these trucks are painted white first.

 

My truck has an SS paint code, and is another example of a special order "fleet" vehicle. I believe the wheels, "nose" trim on the hood, and front grill were always painted the same color as the body. I had a paint guy color match some of the original paint to get the color "correct" for re-painting.



Jim