What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

The photo below was taken when I first picked up this project ('72 Blazer). The original wheel is gone, but the original dashpad is there. The steering column and the dashpad are both a tan sort of green color (sorry for the bad description). Would the original wheel been the same color as the column and the dashpad? The seats are original with what's left of parchment covers and parchment seat belts. Console was replaced a some point with a brown cup holder version. I'm guessing this originally would have been a parchment seatbelt console. Anyway, I have an original black wheel in really good shape, but probably would need to paint the column black and go with black dashpad. I can't decide what to do, but wondered if this original color pad was available and what color it actually is. What do you think?, thanks.

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

My first '72 Blazer had Parchment interior - the dash pad and column were tan/saddle color. It also had the steering wheel in your pic - not sure if that was original or not...

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

The correct color for a parchment interior dashpad/steering wheel is Sandalwood (very light tan - much lighter than Saddle (brown)) and is not available in aftermarket color options for dash, etc. This color did not survive very well in these trucks as most of the parts I see in this color are falling apart. This is true if the truck had a standard (non-tilt) column.

If the truck had a tilt column, the column and steering wheel would/could have been black as well as the carpet, belts, etc.. All tilt columns and were black with black steering wheels.

What color is the metal dash between the dash pad and the windshield? That metal dash color should match the color of the dash pad.

Posts with more insight - here and here

Here is a picture that shows what the factory sandalwood wheel looks like (not my picture).

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

The metal dash portion is the same color as the dash pad, I'm guessing Sandalwood based on your post/pictures. If this dash pad color isn't available, I'm wondering what others have replaced it with. As I mentioned in my first post, I had thought of using a black dash pad and then painting the column black. Which sounds like what would have been the color anyway had it been a tilt column.

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

I have, as luck would have it an original dash pad in great shape / sandalwood. PM me and I can text you a few pix. By the way Chevrolet tilts were always black / GMC painted the tilt columns to match the interior / just a few color choices that is. Found that out from guys that restore original 71/72 tilt columns. marko

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

I’d like to see photos of an original tilt column that’s factory painted in a GMC. Can you share any photos?

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

Im no expert but I also have never seen a tilt in any truck other than black. I do know that GMC painted the gauge cluster though, I have a few. Not sure if that was on all GMC's though. There ya go, me putting my less than two cents worth in again =)

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

Does anyone know of a close paint to Sandalwood if I repaint the column or wheel?

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

This was my understanding when I talked to Les 70shortfleet about having him build me a gmc true truck auto tilt column. Maybe my misunderstanding but maybe he'll chime in.

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

Here’s a 1971 K10 short bed with Parchment interior. You can see the Sandalwood steering column compared to the tan steering wheel and dash pad. I changed the column out for a black tilt steering column and Comfort Grip steering wheel.

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

Here's a breakdown of what was painted what on the 1970 interiors. I don't have a copy for 1972. But while colors changed, the patterns held. I'll break it down since it's a low resolution picture. (But it's all in there).

Interior colors: Black, Blue, Green, Red, Sandalwood and Dark Olive

"Interior" painted elements are 1) Upper dash 2) Steering Column and GMC glove box door 3) Door Trim Panels (base trucks) 4) Seat back in bucket seat trucks

For Black and Dark Olive interiors all four of these elements were the same color save for the dash being a flat version of that color.

For Blue, Red and Sandalwood the dash and steering column (and GBD in GMCs) were dark versions of the color (ie dark blue, dark red, dark sandalwood...with dash always flat) and the door panels and bucket seat backs were just plain blue, red and sandalwood.

For Green, dash and column (&GMC GBD) were dark green and the door panels and buck seat backs were medium green.

Some, but not all of those paint colors do correspond to exterior paint codes

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

Also...I agree all tilts were black.

I have worked to cross all of those paint codes and only a few are good/still crossable. My best advice on these interior colors is to find a nice column and try and match the area under the dash that has had the least UV exposure. Whatever match you come up with at the paint store can be flattened to get the dash color.

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

My 72 came with parchment trim. Custom Deluxe med bronze two tone. The dash pad was sandalwood and the metal top of dash was med bronze, main body color but flat.

Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

Here's another example, check out this '72 Burb with Parchment interior. There's nothing left of the Sandalwood wheel except the steel rods. Photo from FB marketplace.

This thread has opened some questions about my 71 Hugger Orange Jimmy with parchment interior. I only have sketchy background in it but it seems to be a solid survivor-type rig with modern wear-item replacements. The upper dash between the windshield and the dash pad is sandalwood but that color seems to have been painted over an orange bottom coat. Sandalwood seems to be the correct color as the defrost vents match exactly. See pics.

I’ve always thought the dash pad was a nice aftermarket replacement. However I’ve never seen a factory pad to compare. Mine fits really well and is soft and supple. I’ve attached pics and appreciate any informed thoughts on whether it’s OEM or replacement? TIA
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Re: What color was dashpad and steering wheel with a Parchment interior?
 

See here for a good example of a 72 parchment interior: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...carryall-2500/

That helped a lot, Deadhead. Just as I originally thought, mine is a re-cover. Thanks!
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