Denny,
I'm afraid a lot of those "little" details may be lost to time. I've been working on this resto of my 51 for close to 7 years now, down to the correct markings on the bolt heads, and there sometimes appears to be many subtle differences in the many trucks I've scrounged parts off of. In my mind, in some cases there really isn't a 100% correct way, although others may differ. What may of been done in Kansas City in 50 could of been done differently in Flint in 51. Bolt markings and other clips and fasteners differ between my 50 and 51. The interior color is darker on my 50, but that could be because it spent most of its time in a machine shed in Neb. as opposed to my 51 which spent 35 years in Phoenix and Tucson. Although the general consensus is the trannies were left unpainted, the 4 speed in my 51 was definitely painted black, it had inspection marks on top of black paint. In a lot of cases, I just resort to the way my particular truck was built, and not what others tell me. I'm doing this for myself, not someone else.
Chev Nut over at the VCCA site has been very helpful, he worked for a dealer for a long time, starting I believe in the late 40's. He was a parts manager and has an extremely good memory. The old boy near me who was a mechanic at the local smalltown Chevy dealer from 1946-81 passed away a few years ago. I'm still kicking myself for not "quizzing' him more.
Bob
