Mystic interior desirable?

[tophat36]

My truck has the mystic interior, or should I say had. I have gutted everything except the seat, which while worn i absolutely love. Everything else was trashed. Wanted to reuse the dash by removing vinyl and recovering it but the metal core of it is all rusty. Not sure if it’s is salvageable or not, haven’t seen any videos of someone taking it down to the metal. The door panels have too much wear at the window to really salvage them. Headliner ibacking is reusable and could be recovered. Because the floor has a lot of rust, I’m not even thinking about carpet for a long time. My question is do I stick with the Mystic? Do people tend to like it because it’s unique or is it just less desirable? The only place I can get parts in that color is for interior parts is USA1industries. They have mixed reviews really only because of their delays in delivering product. Seems like they are the best from a quality standpoint. Do I keep it original or just do something else? I like the Mystic but I’m not completely sold on it needing to stay that way. Complete door panel set is $850 from them, $350 for the bare panels. Dash pad is $575 w/ 3-6 month lead time on their website. I believe their dash pads are metal core also like the original. Attached some pics before and after I gutted it.

 

[TotalyHucked]

It's certainly rare, I've only seen 1 or 2 in person, but idk if I'd necessarily call it "desirable". Alot of people don't like white/super light interiors, especially in trucks. But personally, I'd want to keep it just cuz you don't see them often at all

 

[Bextreme04]

My truck has the mystic interior, or should I say had. I have gutted everything except the seat, which while worn i absolutely love. Everything else was trashed. Wanted to reuse the dash by removing vinyl and recovering it but the metal core of it is all rusty. Not sure if it’s is salvageable or not, haven’t seen any videos of someone taking it down to the metal. The door panels have too much wear at the window to really salvage them. Headliner ibacking is reusable and could be recovered. Because the floor has a lot of rust, I’m not even thinking about carpet for a long time. My question is do I stick with the Mystic? Do people tend to like it because it’s unique or is it just less desirable? The only place I can get parts in that color is for interior parts is USA1industries. They have mixed reviews really only because of their delays in delivering product. Seems like they are the best from a quality standpoint. Do I keep it original or just do something else? I like the Mystic but I’m not completely sold on it needing to stay that way. Complete door panel set is $850 from them, $350 for the bare panels. Dash pad is $575 w/ 3-6 month lead time on their website. I believe their dash pads are metal core also like the original. Attached some pics before and after I gutted it.

I have almost the same truck. 80 K25 Sierra Classic with Black/Silver exterior and Mystic interior. I found what seems to be a matching paint color and was planning on refinishing the door panels and trim for now. My dash is cracked and will need a replacement soon also. I believe everyone like USA1 and classic industries just sources their dash pads from dashes direct, but I could be wrong. I've only ever seen USA1 have the mystic white color for trim and door panels. It was called oyster I think in the chevy trims and only available in 78-80.

 

[bucket]

It all just depends. Personally, I find value in the Mystic interiors. I think they look really nice, whether it be the gray, blue, red, or green combos.

Decent used/reconditioned door panels and dash pad are a great option if you aren't building a show truck. Tan door panels were common and make a good base to spray in the correct shade of off-white.

 

[tophat36]

I have almost the same truck. 80 K25 Sierra Classic with Black/Silver exterior and Mystic interior. I found what seems to be a matching paint color and was planning on refinishing the door panels and trim for now. My dash is cracked and will need a replacement soon also. I believe everyone like USA1 and classic industries just sources their dash pads from dashes direct, but I could be wrong. I've only ever seen USA1 have the mystic white color for trim and door panels. It was called oyster I think in the chevy trims and only available in 78-80.

Is dashes direct metal? Mine is the camper special. Do you know the paint color? Thanks!

 

[Grit dog]

@tophat36
There is no significant value in keeping the interior 100% original looking. Unless maybe it was/is super condition original low mile survivor. IE something that would fetch interest at a classic car auction. There is value in making it presentable.
Being a C20 and seeing your posts over the years, you have an (approximately) $5k truck all in all on a good day if it’s all together and no rust (floor pans). Keep that in mind when deciding how much to spend on “stuff”.
Re covering a dash is possible but difficult.
Aside from the dash and carpet from your pics the rest of the interior seems nice enough to paint/refurbish. (And patching floor pan).
IMO, dash is one thing that you kinda just have to bite the bullet on.
Carpet is still reasonably priced. And floor pans, eh chop out the bad, weld or rivet in some new metal and roll. Rust thru looks minimal.
Again, keep in mind the trucks actual value and value to you. IE you could spend $1000 (or whatever it costs) to have floor pans patched “professionally” but you won’t see much roi from it.

 

[Grit dog]

Also keep in mind that here where we live, clean squarebodies are plentiful.
Example, buddy found a 70s C20, literally a 40k mile original survivor. Needed basically nothing. Interior and body almost like new. Had a (cheap) repaint that made it look really nice but horrible quality, wouldn’t last a couple years outdoors without issues. He “stole” it for $5k. Took a couple months and he got $7500 for it during covid when prices were up.
By comparison he found another all original solid 70s K20 straight clean 4 speed but patina and needed “stuff”. Got $8k for it from someone back east.
Just food for thought.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Is dashes direct metal? Mine is the camper special. Do you know the paint color? Thanks!

We (AMD) sell the Dashes Direct dash pads, they're nice. They've got the metal frame, foam padded and then vinyl wrapped, just like original. They fit nice too.

 

[tophat36]

@tophat36
There is no significant value in keeping the interior 100% original looking. Unless maybe it was/is super condition original low mile survivor. IE something that would fetch interest at a classic car auction. There is value in making it presentable.
Being a C20 and seeing your posts over the years, you have an (approximately) $5k truck all in all on a good day if it’s all together and no rust (floor pans). Keep that in mind when deciding how much to spend on “stuff”.
Re covering a dash is possible but difficult.
Aside from the dash and carpet from your pics the rest of the interior seems nice enough to paint/refurbish. (And patching floor pan).
IMO, dash is one thing that you kinda just have to bite the bullet on.
Carpet is still reasonably priced. And floor pans, eh chop out the bad, weld or rivet in some new metal and roll. Rust thru looks minimal.
Again, keep in mind the trucks actual value and value to you. IE you could spend $1000 (or whatever it costs) to have floor pans patched “professionally” but you won’t see much roi from it.

Oh nothing about owning this truck is smart financially or a good investment. Literally the worst use of my money possible lol. To me it’s something I enjoy, I get to learn new things, and breathe new life into my neighbor’s old truck that didn’t get any love for 20 years. I tend to respect the history of something and want to stay true to that if I can. Things like color are so subjective, I just wanted to do a quick survey to make sure there wasn’t some strong opinion one way or another. Also I have done nothing cosmetic to this truck at all. I feel like most people rush to make something pretty and don’t care if it runs. Once I have the mechanical aspect reasonable addressed, I’ll make it pretty

 

[tophat36]

We (AMD) sell the Dashes Direct dash pads, they're nice. They've got the metal frame, foam padded and then vinyl wrapped, just like original. They fit nice too.

Awesome, will def check that out. Thanks!

 

[Bextreme04]

Is dashes direct metal? Mine is the camper special. Do you know the paint color? Thanks!

I'll have to look. I haven't done the painting yet to know if it actually does match, but I got a bunch of the SEM paint selection booklets and picked out the one that I thought was the closest match.

 

[Bextreme04]

Oh nothing about owning this truck is smart financially or a good investment. Literally the worst use of my money possible lol. To me it’s something I enjoy, I get to learn new things, and breathe new life into my neighbor’s old truck that didn’t get any love for 20 years. I tend to respect the history of something and want to stay true to that if I can. Things like color are so subjective, I just wanted to do a quick survey to make sure there wasn’t some strong opinion one way or another. Also I have done nothing cosmetic to this truck at all. I feel like most people rush to make something pretty and don’t care if it runs. Once I have the mechanical aspect reasonable addressed, I’ll make it pretty

This is my method too. The last item on my list is the exterior body and paint work. I'm really trying hard to get the new engine/trans and wiring in this thing by the end of the year(preferably before elk hunting in November). Then I have a Buick Riviera to get fixed up mechanically and interior wise, then the Camaro drag car to get built, then I can start back on the truck with body work and paint. So I figure I'm about 3-20 years away from having decent paint on it.

 

[tophat36]

This is my method too. The last item on my list is the exterior body and paint work. I'm really trying hard to get the new engine/trans and wiring in this thing by the end of the year(preferably before elk hunting in November). Then I have a Buick Riviera to get fixed up mechanically and interior wise, then the Camaro drag car to get built, then I can start back on the truck with body work and paint. So I figure I'm about 3-20 years away from having decent paint on it.

Even if I didn’t have my 60 hr work week, the truck would probably take me the same lol! Endless…I also have an old Subaru which I have to deal with too. Not enough hours in the day.

 

[Grit dog]

Oh nothing about owning this truck is smart financially or a good investment. Literally the worst use of my money possible lol. To me it’s something I enjoy, I get to learn new things, and breathe new life into my neighbor’s old truck that didn’t get any love for 20 years. I tend to respect the history of something and want to stay true to that if I can. Things like color are so subjective, I just wanted to do a quick survey to make sure there wasn’t some strong opinion one way or another. Also I have done nothing cosmetic to this truck at all. I feel like most people rush to make something pretty and don’t care if it runs. Once I have the mechanical aspect reasonable addressed, I’ll make it pretty

Yes, I get it. Just my opinion how I’d look at it to make it nice while minimizing expense.
Lots of good square cabs around here. I had a guy cutout some cab metal on a cab he was scrapping. For like $30 after I bought a few other little parts from him.
You could likely get floor pan metal cheap and local. Rather than ordering patch panels which aren’t horribly expensive but expensive shipping.

 

[legopnuematic]

Late to the party, but I too like the mystic stuff. Only have seen one in person, an 80 Big Ten Silverado.

It is my understanding that USA1 products are dyed, not molded in colors, so really you could just as Andy suggested, find/get tan parts and dye/paint them to the correct colors. USA1 sells dye, SEM might have a close approximation, they also, if you have someone in your area who can do it, mix a SEM interior paint into any color.

The Rustoleum 2x I’ve found works quite well on interior plastics/vinyl. I did the dash pad in my 76 years ago and still looks great. There is pretty large color library for the 2x products.

As far as your floor patch, if the only bad spot is along the trans tunnel, cut that out, clean/treat the rest of the floor, cut a square of 18 gauge sheet metal and weld it in, or do the above and cut a 2” oversized piece of sheet metal, and some seam sealer and couple self tappers. No, it’s not “correct” but will work and is an inexpensive way to seal the floor up and negates the need for welding if that’s not an option.