Mike S. Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Hello everyone, new member, first post go easy on me! Been working on a 1972 Monte Carlo Custom (for too long I might add). Getting ready to start the interior and am looking for information on colors. I wasn't part of the disassembly crew so my memory with regard to colors has faded. Don't have the build sheet so I can't tell you the code. I do remember that is was brown, however when looking through all the different websites I get references such as Saddle, Dark Saddle, Buckskin and Sandalwood. I have no idea which to go with but am attaching pictures of some original parts that I cleaned up in hopes that the wisdom from this group might be able to point me in the right direction. Another question I have, were all the pieces and parts of the interior the same color or were they different shades of say "brown?" One other question before I forget. Can't remember if I saw it here on not, the "Custom" emblem that goes on the sail panel along with the Monte Carlo script, any idea where I might find a couple of those? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Mike 1 Quote
Marks71 Posted February 4 Posted February 4 It appears to be 735 Saddle. The code is on the Body tag on the cowl. Second row of numbers on the upper left side of the tag. Starts with TR. Don’t know how to do links but someone here will probably post the link to how to decode the body tag. Welcome to the club. 4 Quote
willie Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Hey Mike, first Welcome to the club!!!! Best club for First Gens out there! As Mark has stated, check your body tag for the trim code. Then go to top of post and go into Resource section then check your code to the body codes that are there to make sure it matches. I do also agree with Mark that yours is Saddle, as i have a car that is darker, and is Dark Saddle. As far as your "custom" emblems, i would check with "The Parts Place" but if you are feeling lucky, they do come up now and then on Ebay!! I found a set for my "Custom" on Ebay years ago, but do see them now and then. Not sure if you have to be a member or not (But you should think about it, the info you get here is well worth it) you can register your info in the SS section under 72 Custom!!! 1 Quote
Dtret Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Or just post a picture of your body tag and we will break it down. Great first post. We won’t rip you apart. Much. lol. Welcome to the club. If you need as much help as I do , you came to the right place. Answers are plentiful and so is the fun ribbing. 7 Quote
cny first gen 71 Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Welcome to the site, great first post because we love questions and pictures. Quote
jft69z Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Welcome Mike! The info you got from the others is correct. To add to it, for 1972 they had interior code 735 Saddle (Dark) as Mark mentioned, however it was only used in 1972. I actually have a 72 Custom with the Dark Saddle interior. I tried locating a good suitable paint color when I re-did my car, but nothing was good (SEM, the Parts Place, etc.). I had a paint store custom mix interior paint for me that matched near perfect. Some of the pieces may be slightly differing shades, as some of the plastic parts are molded that color, while the metal parts, dash and console would be painted. As far as the 'CUSTOM' emblems, they're very hard to find, and to date nobody appears to reproduce them. Below are a couple links that are available here in the 'Resources' section, that provide a wealth of info. Trim Tag Decoding: https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/resources/decodingbodytag/ GM Heritage Center Information Packages (tons of great info): https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/resources/gmheritagearchiveinfo/ 72 Custom Info: https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/resources/72custom/ 8 Quote
Montemedic Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Welcome Mike !!! Ask away with your questions. We love photos too. As you can see, plenty of help, here both technical or comical. 3 Quote
420ponies Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Welcome to the FGMCC !! Great that you are restoring a "Custom". I'm in the process of cloning my '72. Custom emblems are hard to find ,but do show up on eBay from time to time. I friend of mine lives in Ocala, FL. and is doing a restoration on a '72 Custom. I'll ask if he has an extra set of emblems. Glad to see another original one being restored! 3 Quote
Scott S. Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Welcome to the site Michael. You should be able to get an answer for just about every question you can think of. Quote
Mike S. Posted February 5 Author Posted February 5 Thanks for all the feedback and help guys, I really appreciate it. This project has been going on for a long time and I am ready to drive the car again! Attaching a picture of the body tag, I have some other pictures I am having a hard time getting off my phone but when I do I'll post them as well. I guess my biggest question deals with the headliner. None of the colors I've seen (OPGI, SS396, OC Auto carpets) to name a few don't list "Saddle," the have a Sandalwood, Buckskin and Brown. The "Brown" is the only one that comes close with respect to the sun visor. When these cars were manufactured were they ever all the same colors? Or slight variations of the base color? On another note, I've tried to log in several times and I know I'm using the correct email address and password but keep having to reset my password? 1 Quote
jft69z Posted February 5 Posted February 5 18 minutes ago, Mike S. said: On another note, I've tried to log in several times and I know I'm using the correct email address and password but keep having to reset my password? I sent you a PM, call me Quote
Mike S. Posted February 19 Author Posted February 19 Sorry for taking so long to get back in here guys. Been a little busy between the Rolex and 500 weekends! I understand that the code on the tag (735) is Dark Saddle, the below picture is of one of the original door panels. If that is Dark Saddle I'll take your work for it (looks brown to me?) The question is, when I try to find head liner material and sun visors, no one lists Dark Saddle. They list Sandalwood, Buckskin and Brown. The Brown looks the closest. When GM was building these cars was the entire interior the same color or were they similar shades of that color? Also looking for seat belts, this one had the lap belt with the shoulder harness stored above the window. I haven't been able to find seat belts that come in that configuration? Second picture is the car painted in the color that best matches the original color, Pacer Gold I believe. Thanks in advance for all the help and support! 3 Quote
Dtret Posted February 19 Posted February 19 The car looks great. Wow. The interior technically is different colors. The dash and kick panels were darker than the seats. There is some pictures floating around of a dark saddle interior, you will see what I mean. Did you try SMS? I don’t think you’ll like brown. 2 Quote
Canuck Posted February 19 Posted February 19 I’ve always simply referred to that as Saddle myself. It is definitely not Sandalwood as that is a lighter colour which wasn’t even offered in 1972. Maybe they will send you samples? Your car is looking great. I had a Placer Gold 72 for 5 years. 1 Quote
Marks71 Posted February 19 Posted February 19 The paint looks fantastic. All the first gen Montes had the separate shoulder and lap belts. Just a thought here, since you’re doing the headliner and looking for seat belts have you considered the Morris 3 point belt system? It’s a combo shoulder/lap belt similar to what’s used on today’s cars. You won’t need the 2 clips per side that currently hold the shoulder harness along the roof. Plus you won’t have to worry about damaging that new headliner while clipping the shoulder belt back up when not in use. Unless of course you’re like me, and only use the lap belt. 1 1 Quote
B-Man Posted February 19 Posted February 19 @Mike S. I just ordered a set of Dark Saddle door panel carpets from The Parts Place and they look very much like what you have pictured above. Lighter than I would expect, certainly. I also ordered Dark Saddle arm rests from SS396 and they are in fact a dark brown. Maybe something approaching the headrests you have pictured. But a little more 'plastic looking'. In general my interior is Black. But I'm adding in some Dark Saddle accents going for a bit of a custom look. Given the small selections and offerings from vendors it's kind of a challenge though. I may end up during a few items here and there. 3 Quote
Mike S. Posted May 7 Author Posted May 7 (edited) Hi guys, I know it's been a while but I've been steadily working on the car and trying to make progress. I'm attaching some pictures of the progress and a couple that I have questions about. As you can see I've gotten the headliner in with some help, a couple of spots that I couldn't get all the wrinkles out of but I'm being told that once I get it outside the heat will help relax them? Got the dome light base in as well as the sun visor bases. have the coat hangers and the windlace trim for around the windows but need to get it painted before I can put them in. Also added some more sound proofing under the back seat area. Going to make a second post for my question. Edited May 7 by Mike S. Quote
Mike S. Posted May 7 Author Posted May 7 Ok, now for my question in search of some help... Sail panels (interior) what a pain in the butt... Search the forum here and didn't find anything so here goes. Got the headliner and sail panels from OC Autocarpets. As I'm sure you are all aware of the bow from top to bottom in the sail panel area. The panels I received are completely flat (as I'm sure most are that are aftermarket). There is also no way to attach the retaining clips to the back of the panel. The last photo is of a template that I made from the sail panel, I then clipped it in place where the sail panel would mount and located the attachment holes. Quote
Mike S. Posted May 7 Author Posted May 7 I then transferred those marks to the back of the sail panel board. I bought some heavy backing board and cut out a few pieces, you can see what I did. The slots I made for the retaining clips gave me a little play to allow for alignment (used weather strip adhesive to hold down the pieces I made). My problem is the amount of defection between the top/bottom holes and the middle one? I've thought about maybe using some steam to soften the sail panel but am worried that if I do that the material might separate from the backing board? Any ideas or thoughts? Appreciate all the help and comments. Quote
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