[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

The original colour is grey as shown in Keith's picture (with white lettering, much like a 19 set face). As to the socket in the centre of ther smaller plate, it's for the inspection lamp and is original. All Chev's with round instruments here have it. Apparently not Oz ones? Early Ford plates were embossed brass, and the centre hole was not punched out as the inspection lamp socket was mounted on the panel itself. Keith, would it be possible your plates are later Ford ones? Notice also that Chev toggle switches (at least the three centre ones in the larger panel) are a different shape. Ford ones had a pronounced knob at the end.

Jordan, the plates are in their original configuration and are from a 1944 13 cab Chev. The only other variation is really late war Chevs that had an additional switch on the large plate.