71 seat rail

[Joe L.]

Re: Patrick and Joe...

Chuck-----

It's not completely beyond the realm of possibility that some of the 68-71 seat track assemblies were differently finished (i.e. painted where these are phosphate-finished). The ones on my car are like this, the ones on Patrick's car appear like this, all of the NOS examples that I have are like this, and all of the ones that I've looked at here-and-there are like this. However, that does not mean that ALL were like this. It may well be that the specs for the part allowed for alternate finishes. I doubt that there was more than one manufacturer for these but, for one reason or another, if they were allowed alternate finishes, they might have sometimes chosen to exercise that option (e.g. their metalfinisher couldn't get the phosphating done due to problems, etc.).

[Chuck S.]

Re: Patrick and Joe...

I agree it's possible there were alternate specs, but weighing the evidence pro, I would say I trust you and Patrick, the JG (the contribution of many individuals), and my first impression rather than a passing "expert" on the internet.

I remember when I went back to examine the adjusters again, I couldn't pick up ANY sparkles, only the black/dark gray color (dusty, matte finish). However, the adjusters had been cleaned with steel wool since my first look...not enough to take the finish completely off, but maybe enough to compromise the "sparkle" test.

What I've noticed in trying to make the determination on black phosphate parts is that you can be tricked...if painted parts have weathered, and/or been stirred around well in storage, they get tiny little nicks in the paint finish (sparkles) that make you think they're black phosphate. Now I tend to err on the conservative side...if it's black phosphate, the sparkles have to be prominent and unmistakeable.

It's been so long now, I didn't remember the rivets being natural...thanks for some really good info.

[Roberto L.]

Re: 71 seat rail

Hello, I just worked in the driver seat of my 70. The brackets are gray phosphate, as in Joe's picture. Just for reference.

Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMC