1981 seat belt identification question.

[Gary G.]

Good afternoon,
While looking over more details on the seat belt, I found that my 81 does not have the date code large letters, in the 1980 -82 TIMJG shows a picture of 50L80. The rest of the wording on the tags are correct. Neither side has the numbers. Wondering if these are replacement?
Also it states in the TIMJG on page 20 Safety Belt date codes "These letters should not be cause for deduction of points until more data is gathered. Thanks Gary and Dawn

[Terry M.]

Re: 1981 seat belt identification question.

Good afternoon,
While looking over more details on the seat belt, I found that my 81 does not have the date code large letters, in the 1980 -82 TIMJG shows a picture of 50L80. The rest of the wording on the tags are correct. Neither side has the numbers. Wondering if these are replacement?
Also it states in the TIMJG on page 20 Safety Belt date codes "These letters should not be cause for deduction of points until more data is gathered. Thanks Gary and Dawn

Gary,
I am going to guess that the large letters were once there and water intrusion has removed them. It is possible that water soluble ink was used in the stamping process. We see water damaged ink stamps in earlier C3 cars.

It is also possible that human failure caused them to never be stamped, but I would hope a company that also made parachutes would be better at quality control than that.

[Gary G.]

Re: 1981 seat belt identification question.

Terry,
I agree with the water theory, however I am a member of a group that owns 81s. I have asked for pictures and so far 2 STL built cars have the stamping 1 BG car has the stamping and 2 do not. I may test the water theory on an old pair of belts that I have in my other 81 and see if the ink is indeed water soluble. The date codes on the metal appear to be correct.
Thanks
Gary