65 Seat Belt Label

[Dave B.]

Can someone confirm if seat belt labels for a '65 should have only "Corvette" on the first line or could they instead have "Chevrolet"? The judging manual does not specifiy this first line but the Noland Adams Restoration Book shows "Corvette" and several of the NCRS archives reference "Corvette". I'm looking at a set of "original" belts which appear to have correct buckles, webbing, etc. but have "Chevrolet" on the labels. Any opinion as to whether these belts are being misrepresented for a Corvette or could original belts have had either designation on the first line. Thanks in advance to the members for squaring me away on this one.

Dave Brown

[Loren L.]

Re: 65 Seat Belt Label

Go beyond that, Dave. When your car was made will also dictate if your car should have seat belt retractors, with the appropriate warning on the back of the buckles.

[Jack H.]

Re: 65 Seat Belt Label

Interesting, the exact text of the seat belt label is NOT described in the current edition of the JG...

Well, it's nicely covered in the '63-64 JG book telling you the text then was 'Chevrolet' versus 'Corvette' and the '65 JG book tells us many cars have been seen with 1964 dated seat belts. So, by extrapolation, you conclude BOTH versions of the emboss are right depending on the belt's mfgr date (1964 vs. 1965)...

[Mike B.]

Re: 65 Seat Belt Label

Hey Dave,

To answer your question, my '65s original labels read "Corvette" on the top line. I'm sure there are variances along the production year, so I'll just read off what mine state. I bought the car from the original owner back in '93. She was neglected, but all there. She was finished April 2nd, '65 and her VIN is 14074.

CORVETTE
MODEL 772 COR-H '64
Federal Spec. JJ. 8. 185a
SAE J4a
IRVING AIR CHUTE CO.
Lexington, Kentucky

The small "a" in the above info on the 3rd and 4th line may be a "2, 3, or an 8", but I think it's an "a". As stated in the judging manual, many '65 cars have been observed with a tag date of 1964 as mine do.

More info. My black belts had the black plastic cups for the outboard belts with the retractors installed. Here's what the underside of my buckles read:

IMPORTANT
1. Wear belt at all times.
2. Adjust belt snugly.
3. Extend belt completely from any wind-up device.
4. Wind-up devices are not recommended for this half of belt.


Irving Air Chute Co. Inc.
MODEL - IC- 8000
MFG. LICENSE U.S. PAT. 2458810

All buckle info was capitalized, but I used low case type to show smaller printed areas. Also, steps 1~4 are aligned above each other on the buckle.

Hope this helps Dave. Take care and happy hunting,
Mike '65, '66

[Jim D.]

Re: 65 Seat Belt Label

Mike,

I have 1965 #14790. 1 owner with perfect labels and they are the same as yours. The letters you questioned are in fact the letter "a".

Jim

[Mike B.]

Re: 65 Seat Belt Label

Mike,

I have 1965 #14790. 1 owner with perfect labels and they are the same as yours. The letters you questioned are in fact the letter "a".

Jim

Hi Jim,

Well, our cars are siblings. I found my yellow '65 350hp convertible in downtown D.C. back in '91 when I used it to take measurements off of it to rebuild the front end of my '66. The '65 grew on me every time I went to "visit" her. Finally, the original owner chose me to be the next owner in '93. Quite an honor I think.

Thanks Jim for the contact about our VERY close cars. I may have some future questions about your car.

Take care,
Mike

[Jim D.]

Re: 65 Seat Belt Label

Thanks Jim for the contact about our VERY close cars. I may have some future questions about your car.

Take care,
Mike

Ask away. I'm glad to help any way I can.

Jim

[Grant P.]

Re: 65 Seat Belt Label

On my '65 I also have the same information on my belts with one exception mine reads....COR H 65. Grant