66E Seat Belt Label

[Jack H.]

A friend from out of country is restoring his early build (Sept) '66 and ordered reproduction labels for his worn seat belts. He asked me to confirm the authenticity of the reproduction labels he got and sent me pictures. I've owned a '65 (Irving belts) and a '71 (Hamill belts), but I've never seen a label like the one he got!

The labels he got look like somebody used the Hamill format and simply substituted Irving for Hamill in the silk screen. See picture below.

The newest edition of the '66 JG talks about the early (Irving) and late (Hamill) belts. It does a good job of explaining the date code sequence used by the Hamill belts, but doesn't get specific about the early Irving belt dating. The one picture the book provides of an early Irving label isn't legible enough to be able to read the date sequence. It sure looks like the same embroidered cloth labels that were on my 1965...

They read simply '65 for date info and were MUCH different from the with Hamill label which was silkscreened and ink-stamp dated.

Were the early '66 Irving belts simply carry overs from '65? If so, I know what 'correct' reproduction labels I should source for him. But, if they were like the '65 labels but with a '66 date code embroidered, that's a horse of a different color.

[Alan D.]

Re: 66E Seat Belt Label

Take a look at 1966 Seat Belt Labels

may be of some help

[Jack H.]

Re: 66E Seat Belt Label

Thanks, Alan. The reference tells me there was a post to this topic that I missed, but it doesn't give a definitive answer as to what's considered 'correct'. The '66 JG book only shows one style of label for the early '66 Irving belts and that's the cloth embroidered style. The JG book makes no mention of a silk screened black & white Hamill style label that contains the Irving data and a rubber ink stamped date code.

My knowledge of early '66 cars is somewhat limited as I've only been up close and personal with two (both Bowtie award cars) and those had the '65 style embroidered Irving labels. You can purchase either version of the label from Paragon, so both versions ARE available.

[Dave B.]

Re: 66E Seat Belt Label

Jack,

As you noted, you saw my post Alan referenced from last year. I have finished my article on 1966 seat belt labels, and it is currently being reviewed by the '66 Team Leader and his Interior guys, because what I have found is not in the latest JG. It is my opinion that there were three different labels used on 1966 seat belts.

Here is what I found and the paragraph I wrote concerning the label design shown in your picture, which is the second one used.

2^nd DesignThe label is placed on the inner or occupant side of the belt where the buckle attaches and on the outer side, away from the occupant, on the belt with the tongue latch and retractor. The words Federal Specification JJ-B-185a are dropped and the words This Belt Meets All Requirements of SAE Spec. J-4b is referenced. Irving titled these with CORVETTE in large black letters. The complete company name was dropped, using only IRVING196637 A 65.

Concerning the example picture you posted, this reproduction label is of the second design, but unfortunately has an error in the lettering. If you look very closely at your picture and compare it to what I have written, you may see it.

Otherwise, if you send me an email, I will explain it there.

Regards,

Dave