1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Michael,

To post a photo that's on you PC (don't know about Macs, but probably similar):
1. Click "Reply to Thread"
2. Click the "Insert Image" icon
3. Click "From computer"
4. Click "Browse", then find and select the photo in your folders
5. Click "Upload File"
6. Repeat for next photo

Once the photos are posted, you can click on each to select its size and position. I'd like to see the photos you have. Maybe you can post detailed photos when you can get them.

I don't know how to delete a photo; the one below is from walking through the above process.

If you haven't seen another 414, they probably are rare. Now I'll be looking for them.

Does Al Knoch have a monochrome brown vinyl that's the correct lighter color? If yes, maybe they or someone else can faux paint the darker brown for a close match. That's the route I'm on with my Light Saddle marbling.

[J W.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Mark

I still can't upload the images. I am emailing them to Don Hooper who said he will post them. The photos show the marbling of the soft trim pieces. In the spring, I can upload some close-ups.

DSCN2456.jpg DSCN2463.jpg

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Mark

I still can't upload the images.

FYI, I have found that with certain adblockers, especially on Firefox, you can't upload photos to this site.
As a result, I use Google Chrome to upload pictures here. I think that's the only time I use that browser.

Patrick

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Thanks Michael (and Don). I don't believe I've seen that color interior before- I like it.

Yes, when possible please post some detailed photos of various trim pieces (both vinyl covered and hard plastic).

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

An update with my inquiry to Al Knoch-

Currently, they are asking their purchasing department to look for a source of marbled Light Saddle vinyl. They're apparently not asking for their suppliers to create a matching vinyl, so my expectations are low.

Al Knoch may be more motivated if they felt there was demand. So let me know if you need a replacement interior part with 1970 marbled Light Saddle vinyl. This could be a dash pad, LH or RH dash fascia, forward console, console trim pieces, steering column trim piece. (I'm still uncertain if door panels were marbled in these interiors.) With your input, I'll see if I can get Al Knoch interested in working with a supplier to create this vinyl color.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Hi Mark,While reading past threads dealing with C3 headlight switch issues I came across one posted by member Oliver Brandenburg (20605) titled "Replacing Headlight Switch Knob" from Nov. 25, 2008. He was asking how to change the headlight switch knob on his 77. He posted a photo of the before and after knobs. I couldn't help but notice the color of his dash(interior). It appears to be the same light saddle with "marbling" just like yours. I know it's not a 70, but I've been following your interesting thread and thought you would be interested. I attached a photo below.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Thanks Jimmy. Nice close up shot of the dash and door panel vinyl.

What's interesting is the dash vinyl looks just like my original, while the door panel vinyl looks just like my Al Knoch repros. Note the slightly more yellow hue of the dash. Plus the recesses of the dash's texture is a darker color, while the recesses of the door's texture is lighter.

With that said, it's uncertain (in my mind) if original door panels used the same vinyl as the dash and console, or if they were more monochrome like some have said. I'll contact Oliver and ask if he knows if his door panels are original or repro.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Mark,
I did notice the difference in the door panel and dash, thought you would be too.
Can't take credit for the photo though, it was one of his from his thread
Will be interesting to hear what his reply to your inquiry is?

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Here's an excerpt from a PM I received from Gary Bosselman and my reply that I thought would interest 1970 enthusiasts:

I am working on the 70 to 72 Judging manual. Are you going to have the car in Frisco? I would like to get a few pictures and at least mention it in the next revision. I have the interior probably 98% complete, but would like to add something about this.

If you don't have the car, can you bring some of the panels?

Gary Bosselman

Gary,

Yes, I'll be at the Frisco event, but not the car. I can bring a few pieces for you to see, or you're also welcome to see the car at my home, about 14 miles away from the event. Please know that the only interior pieces that have an original finish are the three dash pieces, rear window surround and front console. But those do show the marbled coloring and perhaps you can confirm their originality.

After getting input from others, and looking at my car, here is what we think so far:

Only some '70 Light Saddle interiors feature vinyl with marbled coloring. NCRS members who reported having a car with this interior (plus two internet ads):

---00746................ From internet ad with photos (link in thread)
---early June build...Jason Rick (51168) (very original low mileage car he's owned 25 years; detailed photos emailed to me)
---12931................Mark Edmondson (22468) (photos in thread)
---7/2/70 build........Brady Como (42793) (post in thread; no photos)
---15xxx.................Mathew Stark (61369) (photos in thread)
---unknown............ Oliver Brandenburg (20605) (photo in thread)
---unknown............From internet ad (link in thread)

Also, J Michael Wiater (41268) has a '70 sn 16xxx with 414 Brown interior that features marbled coloring (photo in thread)

The higher surface of the vinyl's texture is similar in color to "normal" Light Saddle interiors, while the recesses of the texture is a darker color. It appears that both colors are molded in the vinyl material, not painted.

The marble colored texture is only on some interior pieces:

- Vinyl covered pieces which have a darker color in the grain recesses: dash (top pad, left and right fascias); front console, left and right console extensions, lower steering column trim piece. All of these match each other.

- Vinyl covered pieces that are one color or maybe with a slightly lighter color in the grain recesses: Door panels, t-top trim, windshield trim, rear window trim, upper quarter panel trim, map pocket. Jason says these pieces on his car are monochrome. (Note that the map pocket coloring is different than the surrounding dash pad.)

- Pieces spray dyed (painted): Brake console, kick panels, seat backs, shoulder belt housings, glove box frame, horn button.


The overall look of the interior is rather mismatched... the door panels, map pocket and window trim look very different than the adjacent dash and front console, all of which look a different than the painted pieces, carpet and seat surfaces.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

I heard back from Al Knoch today. Not good news. They said they tried different techniques to marble their "regular" Light Saddle vinyl with different dyes and stains, but were not successful. They also said their vinyl suppliers don't make this stuff. I'm grateful they tried.

But wait! They left me with a glimmer of hope by referring me to SMS Auto Fabrics (www.smsautofabrics.com). When I called, Doug the owner answered the phone and it turns out he's been "collecting" OEM original automotive fabrics for 40+ years. His website even has a search engine with images of fabrics from some rather obscure cars. Pretty cool.

The bad news is that he's never heard of "marbled" Light Saddle vinyl either. I'm learning that if you don't own a car with marbled Light Saddle vinyl, then you've never heard of it and will swear it doesn't exist. Nevertheless, Doug said he's confident that if GM ever sourced it, he has it. I like that sort of bravado. So I sent Doug an email with photos and I'm now waiting with fingers crossed.

If this doesn't pan out, before I shoot myself, I'll take Dennis Delpome's advice (see his earlier post) and buy some "regular" Light Saddle vinyl and can of darker colored dye and experiment with duplicating the marbled effect myself. What the heck, it's a hobby right?

Note to J Michael Wiater and the three other people in the universe who have a '70 with Brown vinyl, trim 414:
Al Knoch doesn't offer your color (they "never heard of it, plus anyway there's no demand"), but Doug says he has it. In fact you can look up '70 Corvette Brown vinyl 414 and see it on his website. That's amazing.

[Zachary K.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Reporting in #16717 July 27 build date with marbeling. Will have to check separate pieces but I know it has it. Will try to post pics at some point. Hope this helps.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

Thanks Zachary. Yes, close up photos and a list of how each piece is finished (as posted above) would be a great way to document this for others.

Photos from others with this trim code interior or other colors with a "marbled" effect would be great also.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

I have seen this on several year cars to some extent, even on some midyear saddle colors. I think it has to do with the stretching of the material when the grain is formed, and was probably not intended to be a feature. It is rather common though.

[Russ S.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

For you gentlemen interested in this two toned interior, here is a link(hope it works) to a 74 30xxxx mile car that has the same vinyl two colored dash. Link don't work so I will give you the ebay item number. Maybe some one else can provide the link.391299606143

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 Light Saddle "marbled" coloring- How to duplicate?

For you gentlemen interested in this two toned interior, here is a link(hope it works) to a 74 30xxxx mile car that has the same vinyl two colored dash. Link don't work so I will give you the ebay item number. Maybe some one else can provide the link.391299606143

Some close up photos from that listing:

4252_0219bac3ff_low_res.JPG4254_151f1baaf7_low_res.JPG4256_c520438fee_low_res.JPG

Marbling is definitely evident on the LH and RH dash pads. It's not completely clear, but the door panel vinyl looks more monochrome.

No direct mention in the ad about the originality of the interior, but it does claim: "This 1974 Corvette is featured in its original color combination of Corvette Orange Metallic with a saddle interior and white convertible top. This Corvette has only had one repaint and remains in mainly original condition with only 32,828 miles."