Early '63 seatbelts???

[Irby G.]

Judging guide says "Early 63's are stitched with two distinct square to rectangular boxes with a central 'X'. Later '63's have these two boxes overlapping."
It also states that the IC5000 small font switched over to the large at ~ VIN6000. My question is, did the stitching happen at the same time or are these two changes happen at different times?
Aloha.

[Irby G.]

Re: Early '63 seatbelts???

Here is a picture of two types of stitching. Are they talking about the bottom one as being the 'two distinct square to rectangular boxes'?
Also, are these the correct tags, and are these the 'small' font IC5000's?

[Tracy C.]

Re: Early '63 seatbelts???

Irby,

Yes, you have the stitch pattern right. This should be the same on both ends of the belts.

The font style shown is the later larger font. The early buckel backs have 3 lines of font that are all the same size. The change over point is not the same as I have seen original 63 belts with the early style pattern and the large font on the buckel back.

The tags shown "may" be OK for the early cars, but they aren't correct for the later ones. I don't have my reference information to verify the early tag lettering. I think the JG has the tag style swapped.

Corvette buckel flippers will not have the emblem shown on these. Corvette flippers should be smooth and flat. The ones shown will have a .02 counterbore on the face to allow the emblem to be flush with the surface. Other makes of 63 Chevys used this style with the emblem.

tc

[Rick A.]

Re: Early '63 seatbelts???

agree with TC

[Irby G.]

Re: Early '63 seatbelts???

Thanks guys.
So...for a car built in Dec '62 (pre VIN6000), the correct belts would have the small font and two distinct square to rectangular boxes.

Would anyone have a picture of the correct early IC5000 font size?
Aloha

[Tracy C.]

Re: Early '63 seatbelts???

Thanks guys.
So...for a car built in Dec '62 (pre VIN6000), the correct belts would have the small font and two distinct square to rectangular boxes.

Would anyone have a picture of the correct early IC5000 font size?
Aloha

Yes, you 've got it figured out. Here is a pic of the early style buckel back.

[Irby G.]

Re: Early '63 seatbelts???

Thanks a bunch Tracy. That's exactly what I needed.
Aloha