1961 Early or Late

[Richard P.]

In replacing my seatbelts I see there was a difference between Early '61 and Late. My build date was Jan. 1961. Would this be considered Early?

[David L.]

Re: 1961 Early or Late

Richard, my 64 is also a jan build i consider it a mid build and therefore buy early parts.

[Terry D.]

Re: 1961 Early or Late

Richard
The Judging manual should tell you, if you don't have one, I would suggest getting one if you are into the dates and points.
Terry

[Ray C.]

Re: 1961 Early or Late

I believe the seat belts for the 1961 model year were all the same. Seat belt latches starting about SN. 5500 (JG-fifth edition) were not painted interior color. As with most running changes, there is not a defined date.

Ray

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1961 Early or Late

I believe the seat belts for the 1961 model year were all the same. Seat belt latches starting about SN. 5500 (JG-fifth edition) were not painted interior color. As with most running changes, there is not a defined date.

Ray

Serial number 5500 was also around the time the 4 panel web weave belt material showed up according to the JM. From then on either the 4 or 6 panel web is acceptable, Prior to then, only the 6 panel web.

Dennis

[Ray C.]

Re: 1961 Early or Late

Hi! Dennis

The way I read the 61-62 JG is that Late 61's could have six or four panel weave and that early 62's could have six or four panel weave up to SN 1500 and red belts to 1800. After these SN all 1962's would be four panel weave. Richard's 61 (January or mid production) would fall in the painted/unpainted change time and should have a six weave belt.

It will be interesting to see the views of others.

Ray

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1961 Early or Late

Hi Ray,

I was looking at the chart on page 9 for the information I posted. From what I see there, '61's up to 5500 were painted with 6 panel web. From 5500 to 10939 would be painted or unpainted and with 4 or 6 panel web.

1962 up to 1200 could be painted or unpainted and have 4 or 6 panel web for red and 6 panel for black or beige. From 1200 to 1500 all three colors could have 4 or 6 panel webbing. From there up it changes several more times during '62.

January's final serial number is listed in the JM as 105203. So I think maybe Richard's car would just make the early cut off?

Dennis

[Doug F.]

Re: 1961 Early or Late

my # 10709, 61 that i have owned since 74 has 6 panel webbing and painted buckles, recently went through my seat belt stash looking for a set for a 62 i'm finishing up and found many variations of painted / unpainted buckles with both 4 panel and 6 panel webbing, these are all red by the way, i concluded that we don't know everything there is to know about 61 & 62 seat belts, the JG is a good baseline, but not necessarily gospel.

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1961 Early or Late

my # 10709, 61 that i have owned since 74 has 6 panel webbing and painted buckles, recently went through my seat belt stash looking for a set for a 62 i'm finishing up and found many variations of painted / unpainted buckles with both 4 panel and 6 panel webbing, these are all red by the way, i concluded that we don't know everything there is to know about 61 & 62 seat belts, the JG is a good baseline, but not necessarily gospel.

Doug,

Wouldn't both the set on your car and your stash agree with the chart in the JG?

Your vehicle is early and according to the manual it should have painted buckles and 6 panel web.

The judging manual list painted and unpainted buckles with either 4 or 6 panel web available for cars with red seat belts from 1961 serial number 5500 up through 1962 serial number 1500.

Dennis

[Michael B.]

Re: 1961 Early or Late

I agree the belt material should be 6 panel and the buckles should be painted in flat color (not gloss). My 61 has a red interior and the belt color I chose was the orange red rather than the darker red both were available from Snake Oyle seat belt restoration. I chose the orange red color because it looked very similar to the original though worn belts my car.