Are there any reports of the second edition '65 buckles (the ones with the 4 items listed about retractors) showing up on cars WITHOUT the sleeves and retractors? A situation where they run out of the first type buckle before all the pieces are present to install the retractors?
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Re: 1965 seat belt buckles
Loren,
My St. Louis body with E2 build date has belts with 64 tags sewn about 2" from attachment. Buckles have the instructions, and one retractor remains on the driver side with later edition of 100 B-W (no roll-a-belt). No boots on either side. Passenger side retractor AWOL. 60 K coupe with original carpet, and no evidence of belt removal.
Chuck Banks -
Re: 1965 seat belt buckles
That aspect is rather fuzzy (early vs. late SB buckle). Noland Adams DOES devote some time in his Vol 2 book to the issues of the running changes associated with the incorporation of the belt retractors and the retaining cups.
Basically, his survey data indicates the two seemed a bit dis-jointed in coming onto the line circa the Christmas/New Years time of the model year build. But, there's not really much that I've seen in print as to early vs. late buckle usage and its effective cross-over point.
Like other running changes, this one will probably remain 'fuzzy' since it deals with a 'cosmetic' issue (how the buckle was embossed'. All we see from the AIM is the drawing dealing with the basic seat belt installation indicates "Belt Dwg Revised (4 places)" as of 10/12/64.
And, if I remember correctly, that coincides with the time of work interruption due to a strike. So, what was in inventory + what came into inventory and what went to the line may well be a complicated story for late 4Q and early 1Q built cars...Comment
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Re: 1965 seat belt buckles
This question arose because I was looking at a black set of belts that supposedly were removed in favor of aircraft belts for racing. They have been installed, have the Corvette and 64 labels and the retractor instructions, but no sign of boots or retractors. Charlie's find of retractors, but no boots, is unexpected to me. Did Noland's survey ever deal with the question?
By the way '65 #21083 (I think) that I bought from the original owner's widow here in Phx -30K miles, A/C HT only had ONE of each type of retractor.Comment
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