Steve,
Most of the following is simply confirming the information in posts above:
1.
Exterior and Interior 1953 paint colors - DuPont codes The 1953 standard cab
Sheen Gray interior color codes are shown here (DuPont & Ditzler/PPG)
2. No chrome grill, hubcaps, bumpers, dash-grill in 1953 (the nickel? was needed in Korea). There was no deluxe package/option with chrome parts in in 1953.
3. Red was one of the original exterior colors (shown at the first link, above).
4. Repair panels are your best/easiest bet - maybe people will post their first experiences and recommendations.
