Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

[Albert K.]

Looking for any supplier of NCRS quality seat belts for a 63 convertible.

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Charlie Santorelli. Seatbelt Sity. He is in NJ, I believe. His phone is 908-719-2354. He did the belts for my 63. They are fantastic. I am sure others will chime in with the same comments on him.

I will tell you he is not a warm and fuzzy conversation guy. When you call him, prepare to talk business. it's just the way he is. He doesn't do email and accepts calls during the day.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Tom;

Did you have your's refurbished or you talking something else? I'd like to get my originals done someday, but I could possibly get all the necessary webbing and hardware to do my own. The buckles are decent and floor mounts easily replated. Guess it's the sewing that and labels that have held me back.

Stu Fox

[Joe M.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

I have never used them, but it appears that Ssnake Oyl in Tyler, TX can do it all when it comes to seat belts. They told me that they follow the original stitching instructions, thread color, etc.

[Albert K.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Thanks Tom
I will give him a call. The previous owner had installed a set from a 67 (retractable ones), so I would like to install the proper belts for a 1963 convertible.

[Harry S.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Charlie Santorelli. Seatbelt Sity. He is in NJ, I believe. His phone is 908-719-2354. He did the belts for my 63. They are fantastic. I am sure others will chime in with the same comments on him.

I will tell you he is not a warm and fuzzy conversation guy. When you call him, prepare to talk business. it's just the way he is. He doesn't do email and accepts calls during the day.

I agree, go with Charlie! He did my 63 Saddle Belts and they are perfect!

[Sydney G.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Hi,

I seem to remember asking this question before and I think it was Harry who replied to it back then.
Now that more time has passed and maybe more '63 owners have experience to share, how does the repro seat belt webbing from America's Finest who ad in the Driveline compare to original??
Does it pass judging as original restored belts from Charlie etc.?

I've been looking for rare '63 Saddle belts for years for my coupe but the last 2 quotes I got when I did find them were very expensive.

Syd

[Sydney G.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Hi,

I seem to remember asking this question before and I think it was Harry who replied to it back then.
Now that more time has passed and maybe more '63 owners have experience to share, how does the repro seat belt webbing from America's Finest who ad in the Driveline compare to original??
Does it pass judging as original restored belts from Charlie etc.?

I've been looking for rare '63 Saddle belts for years for my coupe but the last 2 quotes I got when I did find them were very expensive.

Syd

I should have added that the 2 sets of Saddle '63 belts I came across and was quoted on over the years were not from Charlie, I've never contacted him.
One set was from a lead I had gotten and the other set was from a seller off of eBay.

Syd

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Tom;

Did you have your's refurbished or you talking something else? I'd like to get my originals done someday, but I could possibly get all the necessary webbing and hardware to do my own. The buckles are decent and floor mounts easily replated. Guess it's the sewing that and labels that have held me back.

Stu Fox

Hi Stu !!

I had Charlie put together a new set for me. He got me a set of pristine hardware and put new webbing and tags on them. Tracy Crisler has a great photo of a set of 63 belts that Charlie did. Maybe he will see this post and show it.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Hi Stu !!

I had Charlie put together a new set for me. He got me a set of pristine hardware and put new webbing and tags on them. Tracy Crisler has a great photo of a set of 63 belts that Charlie did. Maybe he will see this post and show it.

Tom...you have a mind like a steel trap my friend. Here is that set.

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

I love that picture ! I wish I would have shot pics of mine before I put them in.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

I don't know if it's my eye or the picture, but my original buckles appear to have more of a tip up on the handle edge - where you would grab it to release the buckle. Also, the surface on mine appears more like stainless steel (not chromed) and I always assumed I could just polish them with a buffing wheel. Other than frayed webbing and some corrosion on the floor mounts, mine are fairly decent.

Thanks for the response Tom. Got me interested in fixing mine up again.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Just took a second look at mine and I guess it was my imagination. The buckle assemblies are Model IC-5000's, and the lower part is chrome plated as is the catch plate. My handles are just dull to the point of looking like aluminum that needs buffing. Don't know how or why they look that way - very unusual if chromed.

Stu Fox

[Tom H.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Stu, you should send them to Charlie to freshen them up, you will love his work !!

[Stuart F.]

Re: Seat Belts 1963 Convertible

Thanks Tom. I may do just that.

I think I spoke with Charlie or someone representing his company a year or so ago down here at the winter meet and, at that time, I seem to recall that the correct webbing was not yet available for 63's (the 3 panel??). It may have been longer than that. But, at any rate, it is obviously available now and looks correct. Years ago I also got a quote from Snake Oyl and it shocked me into thinking I had some higher priorities for the interior, specially when the replacement belts I am using work and look fine (but not correct). I had re-dyed them the darker blue and reworked the floor mounts to fit properly.

Thanks again.

Stu Fox