The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Rim color?

Were the rims on a 53 3100 the same color as the body? Steve

I'm pretty sure they were grey, but I painted mine body colour.

In USA, most likely the standard color on standard-equipment pickup trucks was a semi-gloss black as used on running boards?

Panel truck and Suburban wheels might have been body color.

** I can attest to the fact the rim color on a new 53 custom cab{my dad purchased new} had black wheels same as the running boards.

Mine are semi-gloss powder coat.
I asked the same question at the time but, after all is said and done, I don't know that it makes that much difference.
I used to anguish over the details but, here where I am, no one knows the difference and they all seem to appreciate the effort rather than the historical authenticity.
To answer your question, I believe they were painted black.

You have to understand Peter, that not all the Stovebolter's
are as liberal as you are. Some are looking to recreate a
factory original restoration down to the last nut and bolt,
so there is no crime in asking about an original color for
a certain item.
No matter where you are, there will always be a critic that
will pick out the little flaws in your choice of paint,
parts and accessories. Even in Burlington, ON, Canada.

Denny Graham
95% perfectionist, 5% realist in Sandwich, IL

Trucks were commercial vehicles. You could paint them any color you desire. Companies that had fleets of vehicles had them painted their company colors/schemes/signage.

Rick

For those with painted wheels, here is an ad from 1950 that has a red truck and a yellow truck both with rims painted body color.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/RdLessTaken/Extras/50_chevy_pu_104_zps4axapi5p.jpg

Paint them whatever color you prefer. Rick's observation is correct - many trucks were company special order - GM would paint parts as requested.

If you want original/standard equipment/features, look for original year documentation. GM/Chevrolet did different things in different 47-55 years.

Thanks Peter, I was just being curious. I never "anguish" much over anything. What made me ask was I saw a very nice all original 55 Dodge stake bed at a car show and the rims were the body color. I wanted to know if GM did the same thing. I'm goin' with the dark green and maybe paint the rims the same. Not black though. Steve