Seat belt restoration questions

[Don M.]

Guys, what are me choices. My car has original carpets, dash , headliner. door panels, the seats have been reupolstered, My seat belts are also original, BUT there becomes a point when you have to give up. The belts are white, they are dirty, stained, I've tried to clean them (they are white), too dirtyChrome is scrathed and rusty, I guess I can buy new belts.(Where), I can send mine to Snake oyl and have them refurbish them, and sew my tags on to the recondishened ones. Or do any of the guys who sell new ones sew your tags on them? Who sells them and what is the best route from a judging standpoint? oh yeah, it's a 64 Coupe

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

Hi Don !!

I can recommend Charlie Santorelli in New jersey to restore or replace your belts. He did my belts. I promise you will see his name pop up in this post later.

He is an NCRS member and is very good. Just a tip though. He doesn't do email, and he doesn't do warm and fuzzy chit chat. He is all business. It's just the way he is. Don't call him to chat, call him to get your belts done ! Here is his contact.

Charlie Santorelli
Seatbelt Sity
908-719-2354

[Don M.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

From a judging standpoint, does it make sense to put your old tags on your new belts? That is what I would like to do

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

From a judging standpoint, does it make sense to put your old tags on your new belts? That is what I would like to do

If the old tags are in good condition and the restorer can transfer the tags, by all means, it would be a plus in my opinion.

Then again, if you go with a full set of restoration belts, you can leave your originals alone and not destroy the authentic tagged belts.

Better ask whoever is doing your belts for a second opinion.

[Terry B.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

Hi Don,

Chances are your tags have aged like your belts, but you might take pictures and send them to your restorer for their opinion Most likely, you will be much happier with the entire project if you start fresh with everything. If you decide to go with Charlie, he should have everything that you need and if he doesn't, he will tell you up front.

Good luck,

[Harry S.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

Also, do not call Charlie before or after his published business hours! As others have said, he is excellent at what he does and all business.

[Peter M.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

Hey Don:

I have no first hand experience here, but a close friend of mine, Darren Frank, sent his 1969 vintage belts to the Snake oyl guys for refurbishment.

The refurbished belts and buckles he received back were outstanding. They look factory fresh. In my view, the Snake Oyl folks did an excellent job for him.

FWIW,

P.

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

Also, do not call Charlie before or after his published business hours! As others have said, he is excellent at what he does and all business.

His latest ads have not had hours but it specifically states. DAYS only.

[Harry S.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

As I recall his old ad was, do not call before 9:00 or after 16:30 Eastern time as he in in New Jersey. Oh, and only Monday - Friday.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

Guys, what are me choices. My car has original carpets, dash , headliner. door panels, the seats have been reupolstered, My seat belts are also original, BUT there becomes a point when you have to give up. The belts are white, they are dirty, stained, I've tried to clean them (they are white), too dirtyChrome is scrathed and rusty, I guess I can buy new belts.(Where), I can send mine to Snake oyl and have them refurbish them, and sew my tags on to the recondishened ones. Or do any of the guys who sell new ones sew your tags on them? Who sells them and what is the best route from a judging standpoint? oh yeah, it's a 64 Coupe

Don, Call this number tomorrow. 1-908-719-2354

Ask for Charlie "Sting Ray" Santorelli. Tell him what you have and what you want.

In my opinion, You will be happier with new tags. The reproductions are spot on and will recieve no deduct. This will let you stash your originals away. I know for fact that Charlie has at least one car set of NOS white webbing for your 64. I'm sure he has the chrome bits ready to go too.

You can pay more to have a set built up, but none will be better than the set he will provide. As far as getting Jersy "tude" from Charlie, I've only seen that happen when he thinks he is being strung along. As you can imagine, he gets alot of tire kickers. Keep it business and to the point and you will find Charlie has a heart of gold.

Correct seat belts aren't cheap: but as someone else on this board once said, interior judges view them as a "sniff test". We they are right, they find most everything else on the car is too.

tc

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

As far as getting Jersy "tude" from Charlie, I've only seen that happen when he thinks he is being strung along. As you can imagine, he gets alot of tire kickers. Keep it business and to the point and you will find Charlie has a heart of gold.


tc

I got the "tude" on my first call to him. I didn't "kick tires" but sent a fat check for perfect black 63 belts. A year later, I introduced myself to him at Carlisle and got "tuded" again. I didn't get to see the heart of gold TC mentioned, but I got a damn nice set of belts.

If you want a buddy, call the other guys. If you want good belts. Call Charlie.


Just tellin ya like it is, in advance.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

Tom, I'm sorry to hear that. I've dealt with Charlie off and on for about 4 years and have only seen his grunchy side exposed once or twice. I can't imagine a helpful and swell car guy like yourself having any proplem.

tc

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

Tom, I'm sorry to hear that. I've dealt with Charlie off and on for about 4 years and have only seen his grunchy side exposed once or twice. I can't imagine a helpful and swell car guy like yourself having any proplem.

tc

It really wasn't a problem, but I am in the car business and deal with the public every day. I enjoy my customers and I love the hobby. Charlie just does business a bit differently. He did everything he said he would do for the agreed price. Just didn't get the little EXTRA in the way of bedside manner that I usually extend.

If you check my other posts on seatbelts, I ALWAYS recommend Charlie. I also caution that he isn't a warm and fuzzy guy. That's OK, but I just like to let people know what to expect.

Like I said before, if you want a friend, call the others. If you want good belts, call Charlie !

BTW, TC, your old valve covers are still lookin' fine on my old 63 !! As far as the spare wheel goes, I'm sure it's still lookin' good in the tub too.

[Mark A.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

You will likely find a perfect set of tags on the captive latch receiver. Pull the seatbelt out of the moulded housing, and usually the tag is in great shape, as it has not seen any weather. Saves the expense of 2 tags, and they are positively correct. A sharp razor will remove the tags.

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat belt restoration questions

You will likely find a perfect set of tags on the captive latch receiver. Pull the seatbelt out of the moulded housing, and usually the tag is in great shape, as it has not seen any weather. Saves the expense of 2 tags, and they are positively correct. A sharp razor will remove the tags.

Mark:

The problem with 63 and 64 belts is there is no molded housing. The belts bolt directly to the floor and the tags and belts sit on the floor where everything got dirty or wet over the years.