I read on another forum that
If you ordered the base V8 and a manual transmission, you got the 265, regardless of model.
If you ordered base V8 and automatic, you got a 2bbl 283, again regardless of model.
The first small blocks in 55-6 were red, and trucks yellow, and from 57-on orange.
'55-'56 was 265, regardless of trans, '57 base V8 was the 265, painted a a yellow/green in Passenger w/ 3 speed/ 3 speed OD only, 283s (orange/red) could be had with any trans, depending on induction option. Light trucks used the 265, essentially the same as the passenger 265, exept it was gray instead of yellow, 283 was used only in Heavy Trucks in '57, across the board in '58.
There was also aLoadmaster 322, which was painted red, available from '56-'59, which was essentially a Buick 322 Nailhead.
