What color were these parts?

[Dan Babb]

It looks like whoever painted this truck last went over everything with the green paint..even the serial number tag in the door jam is green.

So I'm trying to figure out what the right colors would be for a few parts.

Some of the pictures I've seen in the Dodge Gallery show the 'job rated' grill plate silver with red letters. I saw some others that were body color and others with black.

What would the original color have been for this part?

Was a body color grill right or should the vertical slats be black?

Are the trim rings around the parking lights supposed to be chrome? Mine are black...what's factory correct?

Now for some interior questions:

For the door panel, what would the right color have been for these?

Has anyone painted theirs and with what?

How do you get the door handle off? I can't find any type of set screw holding it in place and it's loose.

[oldmopar]

To get the door handles off there is a small pin use a punch and tap it out (try not to lose it) then the handle will come off , you have to push back the rubber trim ring to see it

[Merle Coggins]

I believe grey is correct for the interior of your truck, but you can always change it to something else if you'd like to.

To remove the handles push back the escutcheon to expose the rest of the handle and you'll find a pin. Push out the pin and the handle will come off.

Merle

[Dan Babb]

Anyone with info on the color of the parking light trim rings and the job rated plate?

[Phil Martin]

Job rated silver. Park light rings same color as truck.

[John-T-53]

That's a good question...I have seen the parking light bezels body color, black, and chrome.

The grill emblem I believe was painted silver with red in the recessed areas, however I've seen several with body color here too and others with chrome.

I'd use the picture below as a guide.

I could be wrong, though....perhaps someone with a copy of Don Bunn's B-series book could chime in here.

[Dodgeb4ya]

From Don Bunn's book,

1951-2 models sported a new two tone interior-seats were deep rich brown vinyl, while roof,quarter panels, door panels were light tan. 1953 trucks had a light tan roof/quarter panels with dark brown seats and door panels matching. 1953 trucks had door panel binding a different color than the panel itself-kinda nice looking too!

As for the park lamp bezels- chrome was used on the 1951-3 "Spring Specials" and all regular 1953 trucks. 1951-2 used both body color and black bezels. I think both ways are correct. Remember it's just an old dodge truck! As for the grille center medallion factory colors, some were painted silver with red lettering, some were chrome-I think 51's only? and have seen some painted yellowish beige like the factory wheels.

I just redid my 52 Dodge PU door and kick panels in a medium heavy duty truck grade medium brown vinyl purchased from "Perfect fit MacDonald" a wholesale upholstry supply outfit here in the Seattle area. Bought the materials and stitched them up. Not exactly as the original but looks correct enough. Still have the seat and the visors to do .

Some pic's of the factory installed chrome 1953 park bezels and my finished door panels, and a members original door panel with the 610T radio!

Bob

Edited October 7, 2009 by Dodgeb4ya