How do reproduction seat belts for a 65 judge out (point loss) vs NOS? I have not had a chance to compare repos. My originals are borderline junk. Thanks
Dick Gutman
Dick Gutman
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Re: Reproduction seat belts vs NOS
Reproductions must meet current DOT standards and use contemporary webbing material and this introduces two differences that are judgeable/detectable:
(1) The metal clasps are dipped in clear plastic at the point where the fabric loops through them as a DOT safeguard against the metal biting/chaffing the fabric and weakening it. This is a visible difference.
Places like Paragon suggest you take an exacto knife and 'peel' away the visible portion of the clear plastic, but I've not found it possible to do this without (A) scratching the chromed metal, (B) accidentally nicking the belt fabric, or (C) leaving residual clear plastic inside the belt that CAN be seen with a flashlight and a good eyebal...
Removing the fabric from the clasp and dipping it in Methyl Ethyl Ketone (eats plastic) and re-stitching the fabric onto the clasp is a sure way to address this difference...
(2) Improvements in nylon polymerization allow current belt fabric to meet the required tensile strength target with less material. While the weave pattern and color of today's fabric is on the money, it's thinner than that used back in the 60's and savvy judges simply 'feel' the fabric between thumb and forefinger to detect the thickness difference. There's nothing you can do here.
(3) It used to be the Paragon repro belts used a slightly different bowtie emblem in the buckle's latch but they may have improved that aspect of their repro now...
You best shot for a non-deduct set of belts is to send your tired originals to a professional restoration shop (e.g. Charlie Santori) and let him turn the crank for you doing re-chrome, re-paint, adding fresh fabric from his inventory of NOS original webbing. In the end you'll pay the same or a few $$$ less than going the repro belt route. -
Re: Reproduction seat belts vs NOS
You can't go wrong with Charlie at Seatbelt Sity. I think he's in NJ. When I bought my 67 it had GM replacement belts which were similar to the originals. I sent them to Charlie, he took those in trade and made me a set of the right 67 belts with beautiful latches. It's been a few years but it seems like it was around $250 but I'm sure that price has skyrocketed since then.
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