From what I have found on my 1950, 3600, which was about 95% original, the beds would have been in stock painted in green. When they were pulled for a production order the fenders which were in e-coat, would have been bolted on and the assembly painted the color on the order. I can’t say for sure but it appears that the box assembly was painted separately as were the cab, doors, front clip and hood. Then these were assembled on the frame.
Now that is not to say that it was done the same way at each plant or during each shift, or with each crew or that each crew member performed the tasks the same. There were many variations in the way these were assembled back then.
We see many variations in the pin striping also as far as the width and the exact location. I’ve seen variations in the way the factory undercoating was applied and the way the bottom of the cabs were painted also. In short, they were not all assembled exactly alike.
Contrary to some opinions, everyone that I have had any contact with that have made a study of the AD agree that the original floors were Southern Yellow Pine and all painted black, wood, rails and bolts.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
