1968 seat belt buckles

[Erik S.]

Before shipping the belts of my May 68 Coupe to Charlie I was just wondering if the buckles are original - I understand they are unique for 68 (my car has shoulder belts - none of them retract)

Pictures below (I believe from one of my lap belts) - apologies for the quality - a blackberry does not have a quality lens for close ups:



On the back it says:

wear lap belt at all times
adjust low and snug
extend belt completely from
any non-locking retractor
shoulder belt must not be
used without lap belt
read owner's manual

HAMILL RCF - 65
H64 93





Thanks again, erik

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

Before shipping the belts of my May 68 Coupe to Charlie I was just wondering if the buckles are original - I understand they are unique for 68 (my car has shoulder belts - none of them retract)

Pictures below (I believe from one of my lap belts) - apologies for the quality - a blackberry does not have a quality lens for close ups:



On the back it says:

wear lap belt at all times
adjust low and snug
extend belt completely from
any non-locking retractor
shoulder belt must not be
used without lap belt
read owner's manual

HAMILL RCF - 65
H64 93





Thanks again, erik

erik------


Yes, they look like original 1968 buckles to me.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

They look right to me, but maybe Reba will chime in.

[Terry B.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

Hi Erik,

I remember meeting you at Novi last year when you were OJing my British Green '68.

The front of you buckles look like '68's however, the back are different from my Dec.'67 buckles. I'm not sure if there was a change or not sometime in the production year with the back of the metal buckle.

Mine says:

Important

wear lap belt at all times
adjust snugly
extend belt completely from
any wind up device

Shoulder straps

Shoulder belts must not be
used without lap belt
3564

What do your stitched tags say? That is a judged area too.

Terry

[Reba W.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

Erik, they do appear to be original 1968s. But as Terry indicated, the sewn-on labels will be judged also. If they are present, make sure they are used in refurbishing. Repros can be easily detected.

[John C.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

Erik

The front half look close but the back half doesn't have the same wording as my April built 68. Mine is the same as Jack's. See the attached pictures.

John

[Reba W.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

Barbara Spears' book Corvette Seatbetls states that there are several variations in the wording during 1968 production. Yours, John, is one of those she lists.

[Rich G.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

FYI, my July 68 built coupe has buckles like John's. My labels say 23E68. Also the four digit number which looks like 0668 in Johns picture is 0742 on all of mine. Is that a date code?

Rich

[John C.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

Reba

I've never studied seat belts before so I can't say if Erik's are correct or not but I'm surprised at the number of differences between them.

It is not just the wording. You'll notice that the front of the buckles are different as well. Mine have a much wider push button opening. The stitching that attached the anchor plate at the end is also a different pattern.

John

[Reba W.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

Obviously there is much we have to learn about seat belts. Ms. Spear's book is great but doesn't tell us everything we want to know. e. g. There is no explanation for the four digits appearing on these buckles. The examples shown in the book are 5265 and 0727. There is no way I can get a date code for 1968s from those numbers or the two that Rich lists. The very similar 1967 example given in the book shows 3333.Another variation of the RCF-65 1968 buckle lists Bay-Trim not Hamill as the manufacturer. We were unable to sort this out for the latest JG revision. I guess that leaves something to do for the next one.

[Dave B.]

Re: 1968 seat belt buckles

Reba,
I don't have much knowledge of 68 belts, but have researched 66 belts.

You might try contacting Clete Marquardt at cmarq820@comcast.net or Nora Cain at 800-284-7777. Both are very knowledgeable on Corvette and other vehicle seat belts. I suspect that Hamill made all 1968 seat belts, but they can probably clarify.

Regards,

Dave