Yes and No on the column assembly weight conviction.
I also had the steering shaft remade from Chrome-moly tubing with a swinging joint by Bondo-Bobs fabrication and that in itself saved 3-1/4 lbs. Factor in the stock looking steering wheel, lightweight fasteners, washers and the Alloy column and you have 10 lbs scavenged off the front. A little fiendish, but fun in the process.
The steering column/brake pedal mounting bracket underneath the dash is also of the Allu-alloy along with all cross bar supports and fasteners. Super trick and another 4 lbs shaved off for a grand total of 14 lbs.