I remembered seeing something in the GM Heritage Center Vehicle Information Kits for 1959 specifications on tailgate lettering, so I went back and looked. Here's what I found:
In the 1959 Chevrolet Truck Specifications under "exterior appearance" (page 32 of 83) it states, "Stepside and deluxe Fleetside tailgate lettering is Bombay Ivory. Custom Fleetside tailgate lettering is body color."
I found no exterior appearance information in the 1958 specifications. There was no reference to tailgate lettering in the exterior appearance information for 1957 specifications (page 75 of 143), 1956 specifications (page 62 of 121) or 1955 2nd Series specifications (page 45 of 211).
Bob
