Hello, TodS,

Welcome to Stovebolt.com

Nice truck - they painted them a variety of ways from the factory, supposedly at no-cost/minimal-cost.
(Black was the standard color for fenders, but, they could be body color, if requested.)
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/4647.htm

Engine Serial Number:
DEA2016
DEA = 235 engine in a 6xxx series truck (6702, 6100, 6400) from Flint, MI engine plant
2016 = 1016th engine out of the plant that year

http://www.1954advance-design.com/chev-specs/1946-Chevrolet-t-ser.jpg
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/4677.htm