Kevin - A stroll through several ebay ads with "used" original operating rods and wiper transmission sets shows they looks to be originally black (back sides are all black), but the front facing sections of the rods have body color overspray (?) I believe. The color overspray could be from a repaint, so it's hard to say for sure. Is the cowl opening panel behind the arms painted body color? Just my "opinion", but I think from the factory they may have been black as the cab would have been painted before they were installed. Your call on how particular you wish to be with this detail.
