63 seat belts questions

[Tom H.]

I recently purchased a set of 63 seatbelts in black to have a spare set. As I compare these with the ones in my car ( restored to new by Charlie at Seatbelt Sity ) I notice some slight differences. The paddle ends are the same, with the MODEL IC-5000 on them. The webbing looks the same, the air chute tags are very similar, but are different and the floor anchors are plated chrome unlike the cad plated ends on my restored belts. Also the floor anchors in this new spare set have numbers stamped in them. W4A2 with an H on the buckle end and W5A1 on the male end. Seller claimed to have had these belts for years and I can't imagine they have been apart, but the JG clearly states no stampings on the floor anchors and certainly not chrome. Could this extra set be original, or maybe a set that has been not properly "restored" ??........... or possibly a variation in production date. I know it was critical for Charlie to have the build date of my car to do a correct job on my other set. Here's a picture of the set if it helps.

[Tom H.]

Re: 63 seat belts questions

Here's the picture.




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[Robert Jorjorian]

Re: 63 seat belts questions

Floor mount plates look like Pontiac plates to me, RJ

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 seat belts questions

Tom,

I don't know of any configuration changes in the belt anchors for 63. It looks to me that they at least have repro tags recently sewn on. I'm confident the thread holding the tag should match the belt color on the back side and there is also an extra dash in the part number on the tag.

Charlie would know about any anchor plates changes as he has seen it all. Repro 63 anchor plates are availible for around $20 each.

tc

[Tom H.]

Re: 63 seat belts questions

That's what I thought, Tracy. Kind of a goofy set of belts. Super nice buckles, rotten paddles, perfect webbing, nice tags and the wrong anchors. Just can't figure out why some people go to the trouble to do it wrong ! I think they'll make a nice "driver" quality set with a decent set of paddles.

[Alan Drake]

Re: seat belt TAG questions

Looked at the tag and then mine (64) and noticed many differences. Did some searches and a look at Restorer CD, no info found.

Is there a location which addresses tags, decodes the date, vehicle application, and so on?

[Tracy C.]

Re: seat belt TAG questions

There is a decent paperback book by Barbara Spear titled "Corvette Seatbelts 1956 - 1976" It's been out of print for a number of years but I've seen a number of copies on eBay. They usually sell for less than $10.

I got my copy from Jim Clemens. He may still have a few left.

tc

[Clete M.]

Re: seat belt TAG questions

The chrome anchors are from a Ford. The labels are from a 1963 full size car. Probably a passenger car set someone shortened and added the anchors to look like a Corvette set