My steering column in my 46/47 is brown and has never been painted. My steering wheel is black and my parking brake handle is black but has been painted.
Here's some info I gathered from several sites that I believe is correct:
1941 - New styling, "upside-down T" grille.
New headlight housings set into the front fenders. Three parts (base, front tip and “Stamped” top) make up the Parking light housings. New truck bumpers (Chevrolet quit using the car bumpers). Black Steering Column. 6 planks in bed. Metal rear window frame. Rubber gas tank grommet. Door lock in handle.
1942 - All trucks, except COE models, came with "blackout" trim (no chrome). One peice stamped parking light housing. Short production year. Door lock in door skin vs. handle. Two Piece headliner. Leather gas tank grommet.
1944 - Limited production of civilian models. No real changes from earlier models.
1945 - Production began in full on August 20, 1945, six days after Japan's surrender.
Same as 1942 model, including painted trim.
1946 & 1947 First Series - Month-long strike by the UAW. No major changes. No metal frame on rear window. 7 planks in bed. Brown steering column. Rubber gas tank grommet.
