ehallman

I have a 1966 Corvette that i have had for 30 years. In 2003 i had a complete restoration done on this vehicle. The only thing i do not have for this vehicle is OEM seat belts. The only thing i have is the inside seat belt with the late style buckel on the belt (Hamill buckle). The buckle is rather tough looking but would like to have OEM belts for this vehicle. Is there such a thing as OEM late buckles or could i have the new belts put on the old buckle (and have it reconditioned.

vettebuyer6369

This is the Transaction Feedback section.

Ill move your post to the C2 section.

R66

I think if you do a search, there was an article on the original aircraft style belt buckles used in the early C2s being part of a recall in the mid 66 era due to the buckle failing to remain latched during a crash.

Don't know the build date of your 66, ours is December of 65. Also don't know if the factory started changing them out or all 66s had the aircraft buckle. Need a historian to tune in here.

R66 has the original buckles, but I have not yet changed them out as the car is numbers matching (best I can tell). Please don't tell my wife as she wants to live forever.

ehallman

I have the late push button type. I still have the inboard belt with the push button type but are rough looking and not sure if you can have them reconditioned. Would like to find someone to recommend who to go to to get a complete set of OEM belts.

Donald #31176

Charlie S. of Seatbelt Sitty in Bedford, NJ can recondition them to new. Not cheap but probably the best in the business.
Charlie is old fashion . No email, regular 9AM -5PM business phone hours. (908)719 2354

Frankie the Fink

Do NOT drive around with ratty seat belts. I don't care how original they are. Run safe repros for $100 or get them restored. These devices are one of the few things standing between you and serious injury or death.

jrs 427

My 66 came with an almost new set of belts. They were probably removed for the four year tour on the drag strip replaced by a safer system. Surprisingly found in the rear recessed floor area with the windshield wipers, they may have made a few quarter mile trips. Because they are decades old they were not installed. I prefer the fit of a snug new webbed control device.

NightshiftHD

When was your 66 built? Just because you had it for 30 yrs, and it has the late 66 buckle doesn't mean someone didn't change them out during its first 20 yrs of life. If you are gonna spend a $wad$ restoring seat belts, make sure your spending it on the right ones.

If you build is late enough for the RCF65 belts, you might get lucky scouring around auto wreckers in your area that haven't already crushed their 60-70s cars. RCF65 belts were not only used on late 66 & 67 Corvettes, but also 66-67 and some 68 Chevelles, Impalas, GTOs, Buicks, Cadillacs, etc. The RCF65 belt buckle has a bowtie with Chevrolet inside it on the push button.

You can restore them yourself quite easily. I have a Corvette Restorer article somewhere from 20 yrs ago that showed how to disassemble the buckle. If you need it, let me know and I will hunt it down. Bill

NightshiftHD

Here's the RCF65 buckle.

ehallman

That is exactly the buckle that i have only the black paint is chipped off. If you can find the article i would appreciate having it.

NightshiftHD

Here's the article I was thinking about. Jerry Fuccillo wrote it for the Restorer 20 years ago. Bill