Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed Bed floor painted truck color on 1954 3604

I finally managed to remove the steel sheet covering the bed floor on my 1954 3/4 Ton truck , it appears that the bed floor was painted Ocean green. This is the original color of the truck. Is it possible it came that way from the factory?

I think Bob Adler has started to adopt the opinion that 54 bedwood was painted body color but I would verify that with him. I am recalling a vague conversation we had years ago on the phone.

I am on the road, but, I will try to remember to call Bob when I get home.

Greg H , Tim ,

Thanks for the feedback. When I pulled out that sheet of metal and seen the green paint on those boards I was very surprised. Looking forward to hearing what Bob Adler has to say on the subject. It will determine what finish is used on the new bed floor. Thanks again.

I have spoken with Bob Adler (Stephentown, NY), and, Bob says that:

1. 1947-1953 Advance-Design pickup beds were painted black (boards & strips)
And the boards and strips were (somehow) painted together and placed in/on the bed as a painted assembly.

2. 54/55st Advance-Design pickup beds were painted body color (lower body color on two-tones).
These boards and strips were not painted as an assembly.

So, Ronnie, yes, your bed boards/floor came that way from the factory.

By the way, I really like that 1954 Ocean Green color.

Thanks Tim ! You've come through again with really good information and thanks to Bob Adler for his valued input. I like the Ocean Green, too. My local paint source mixed my paint and its going to be just a shade darker than the original (so much for those high tech cameras they used to shoot the original paint) . I may be able to ask them to lighten it up, just not sure if the risk is worth the reward. That paint cost twice what my first car cost. I'm all about originality as long as its within my budget. Thanks again, another mystery solved. I'm having a lot of fun restoring this old truck, glad you guys are out there to help.

Timely information for me as I had assumed I’d be painting my 1954 3/4 bed black instead of its original ocean green color. Were the metal strips also paint ocean green? Also can anyone provide me with the thickness and widths of the existing bed boards since I’m planning on milling my own bed boards?

Bruce , yes the metal strips were also painted Ocean Green. Regarding the bed boards I'd suggest you look on Mar-K's website

http://www.mar-k.com/Catalog/index.aspx

Also , try posting your bed board question separately within this forum by starting a new post. That way others will see your question and are more likely to provide answers.

Hope this helps.

Thanks. You’ve provided all the info I was looking for.