On this page I have compiled some information that should help you in identifying what year "Art Deco" you have.  The second section, I found quite a few years ago and do not recall where it came from but it is some good information that I have found to be accurate.  I added photo links with specific pictures where I could and will continue to add to it as I find time.  I literally have several thousand photos of 41-46 GM trucks so if there is something specific you need to see let me know and I can search what I have.  
 

Art Deco Identification Guide
This is not intended to be a comprehensive list, just a simple guide to help you identify Art Deco (1941-1947 1st Series) Chevy pickups.

1941 - New styling, "upside-down T" grille.
New headlight housings set into the front fenders. “Stamped” Parking light housings. New truck bumpers (Chevrolet quit using the car bumpers).  Black Steering Column. 6 planks in bed.  Metal rear window frame.  Rubber gas tank grommet.  Door lock in handle.

1942 - All trucks, except COE models, came with "blackout" trim (no chrome). Short production year.  Door lock in door skin vs. handle.  Two Piece headliner.  Leather gas tank grommet.

1944 - Limited production of civilian models. No real changes from earlier models.

1945 - Production began in full on August 20, 1945, six days after Japan's surrender. Same as 1942 model, including painted trim.

1946 & 1947 First Series - Month-long strike by the UAW.  No major changes.  On some of the very early production trucks, some of the remaining parts from the earlier 41-45 models were used. No metal frame on rear window.  7 planks in bed. Brown steering column.  Rubber gas tank grommet.  .

1941-1946 Art Deco Pickups
Author unknown (write if you know who it is so credit can be given)

The new 1941 Chevrolet truck's entire front end: hood, louvers, fenders, bumpers, headlights, parking lights and grille were all new. When combined with a 1 1/2-inch increase in wheelbase, the result was a larger, more impressive truck. Chevrolet engineers backed up the truck's bigger look with more power. Without an increase in cubic inches, horsepower was increased by 5 to 90 and torque by 4 to 174 lb-ft. at 1200 to 200 rpm. The longer wheelbase was used to provide the driver with additional legroom and the seat back was reclined to a more comfortable angle. The seat cushion and back were also improved for better comfort and longer life through the use of more springs and additional cotton padding.

The new half-ton was built on a 115-inch wheelbase. Body offerings included a pickup, panel, canopy and Suburban. The 3/4-ton had a 125 1/4-inch wheelbase and included a pickup, platform, stake and panel bodies. The one-ton series (now designated as medium-duty models) had the long 134 1/2-inch wheelbase and included a pickup, panel, canopy and stake. The automobile based Commercial cars, the Sedan Delivery, Coupe-Pickup and wooden-bodied Station Wagon also continued.

The 1942 Chevrolet pickups were essentially unchanged from 1941. Because America entered World War II in December 1941 the government halted all civilian truck production early in 1942. Chevrolet ceased building civilian models on January 30, 1942. Rationing of commercial vehicles commenced on March 9, 1942. Between then and July 31, 1945 the Office of Defense Transportation released a total of only 56,128 light-duty trucks. I think it’s safe to say most of the lights were pickups. Totals for medium trucks were 205,293 and heavy trucks were 64,943 (all figures are for the entire truck industry). Chevrolet resumed production of civilian trucks for the general market on August 20, 1945. The government allowed Chevrolet to build civilian heavy-duty chassis cabs for qualified essential users in both 1944 and 1945 and the half-ton 115-inch wheelbase pickup in 1945 for qualified essential civilian users. Chevrolet advertised it as the nation's "Most Popular Pickup Truck." It was basically the same truck as the 1942 model but with several engineering improvements.

Chevrolet brought to market a full line (100 models on 9 wheelbases) of light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks on May 1, 1946 complete with chrome trim. All prewar models except the Coupe Pickup returned. The light-duty engine was the same as the prewar engine. These trucks stayed in production until about May 1, 1947 when the Advanced Design trucks entered production.

Return to 1946 Chevrolet 1/2 Ton Page