'63 Early Seat Belts....

[Irby G.]

Would you guys please grade these belts out for me? I'm wanting to know how accurate they are in comparison to the originals. I know the labels will probably not be correct but I am curious about the lengths of both sides and also the boxes (do they accurately represent the originals). The maker said that he had trouble sewing them because the '63 webbing was so soft that it skews as the sewing machine would stitch and was the main reason that GM switched to a different webbing for '64.

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Early Seat Belts....

Here are the two pics with measurements.

[Tracy C.]

Re: '63 Early Seat Belts....

Irby,

The length and stitching look typical to me for an early car except I wouldn't expect to see the dark blue thread where the tags are sewn on. Only white thread should show on the tags.

The tags are the late configuration correct for cars after approx VIN 7000.

I can't read the stamping on the buckel backs, but the font size of the middle line is correct for an early car. The first line should read "Irving Air Chute....." not "Irvin Air Chute....."

63 Webbing is not as tight as 64 and after, but I've never heard the line about "that why it changed"

tc

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Early Seat Belts....

Thank you Tracy. Do the lengths look correct for each side?

[Tracy C.]

Re: '63 Early Seat Belts....

Length looks appropriate (I've never seen a judge measure anyway)

tc

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Early Seat Belts....

Thanks again Tracy.
Aloha,
Irby

[Joe C.]

Re: '63 Early Seat Belts....

Just to concur (in case you wanted a second opinion- I agree that the tags were sewn on with white thread. I have a set of original seat belts in my 63 ( saddle tan) and they have white thread on the tags.

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Early Seat Belts....

Thanks Joe. All opinions are very welcome. The guy that did the belts is suppose to get the correct 'early' labels in shortly and will redo them. When he does, I'll be sure to tell him to sew them with white thread.

[Michael F.]

Re: '63 Early Seat Belts....

Would you guys please grade these belts out for me? I'm wanting to know how accurate they are in comparison to the originals. I know the labels will probably not be correct but I am curious about the lengths of both sides and also the boxes (do they accurately represent the originals). The maker said that he had trouble sewing them because the '63 webbing was so soft that it skews as the sewing machine would stitch and was the main reason that GM switched to a different webbing for '64.

Can you direct me to the maker of these? I need a set for my 63

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Early Seat Belts....

Can you direct me to the maker of these? I need a set for my 63

America Finest Corvettes
EMAIL: afc@corvetteusa.com
FAX: 760-789-6601
PHONE: 888-318-3883
ask for Mike and tell him Irby sent ya. Here's the web page:

http://www.corvetteusa.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=25_67

Aloha