Topic: 65 standard seat belt retractors

[kcodecoupe]

I have looked through the old posts on seat belt retractors for 65 standard int hardtop & fastback cars but still am not clear on it, would a 65 fastback with an April 65 build date have clip on front seat belt retractors or other, thanks.

[CharlesTurner]

Clip on would be the most common.

[J_Speegle]

Here are two examples (April 65 Dearborn) to show both with and without retractors. Sorry we can't see more of the boot in the pictures. Remember the one 65 I purchased that had retractors on the fronts. Sure look like a cheap option. Remember seeing them in catalogs (aftermarket) like JC Whitney during the era just like the cigarette lighter map lights and the illuminated center grill horses

[Brian Conway]

I don't recall these being on my 65 when new.  I did install a set about 25 years ago.  Two examples I have seen; Rollerbelt and FoMoCo. Brian

[kcodecoupe]

thank you all for the updated information, I think I have located a set of date coded belts for my 65 , and looking for a set of 64.5 front belts for my 64.5 car, im am told that they could be either polished chrome buckles or  black 65 style buckles,

[J_Speegle]

.....................im am told that they could be either polished chrome buckles or  black 65 style buckles,

I think, if it were me, I would ask about that since I doubt they were installing both at the plant and time period your car was built, At least we could look for you if you provided the needed information

[jwc66k]

1965 seat belt retractors were both factory and dealer supplied. Unless you have a Metuchen build sheet or a window sticker to indicate factory installed items, it's a guess.
Jim

[196667Bob]

thank you all for the updated information, I think I have located a set of date coded belts for my 65 , and looking for a set of 64.5 front belts for my 64.5 car, im am told that they could be either polished chrome buckles or  black 65 style buckles,

The following may answer some of your questions. Although, I don't know if the difference between the "Standard Belts" and the "Deluxe Belts" was in 1965.

In 1964, Ford offered, as an Accessory, Seat Belt Retractors, Part Number C4AZ-62611A06-A (pictures attached). In 1965, Mustangs came "Standard" with front Seat Belts ; the Buyer could choose the "Delete" Option (remember, Seat Belts were not "required" in 1965), or "Upgrade to the "Deluxe Seat Belts", which came with "Retractors". The question here, is what "physical form" were the Retractors ? Were they like the Accessory Retractors that I have pictured, or were they the self-contained type like what was furnished in 1966 ? Not knowing all of the details of 65's, nor having a 1965 Interior Assembly Manual, I cannot say. So, hopefully someone with a 1965 with the Deluxe Seat Belt option can "chime in" and set the record straight.
   
I can say this, however ; for 1966 and 1967, while the Coupes and Fastbacks came with the self-contained belt Retractors, Convertibles were, or should have been, furnished with the spring roll-up type (copies from both the 1966 and 1967 Interior Assembly Manuals are attached).

The use of the C4AZ, roll-up type by the Factory for Convertibles, may be the reason why we see both the Rotunda and FoMoCo script on them ; the Rotunda's being Accessories. Interestingly, while the C4AZ ones were cataloged in the 1965 Accessory Catalog, they were not in the 1966 Accessory Catalog. They re-appeared in 1967, still under the same C4AZ Part Number, but now indexed as "Rear Seat Belt Retractor". This continued to be listed the same in 1968 and 1969, but by 1970, was no longer shown.

Bob

[kcodecoupe]

I think, if it were me, I would ask about that since I doubt they were installing both at the plant and time period your car was built, At least we could look for you if you provided the needed information

Thank you jeff, I am good with the retractor question I asked .   this question is would a June 64 dearborn built coupe, standard int have the black colored front seat buckles or the polished chrome metal buckles if ordered as seat belts were an option in 64-65 cars

[196667Bob]

While I am no expert on the 64-1/2's or 65's, the 64-1/2 Sales Brochure shows that they came "Standard" with Black Seat Belts (which did have a "Delete Option for them, just like the 65's. The Deluxe Belt Option, included Color-keyed (to the Interior) belts, and Retractors. Thus, the Standard Belts would have had Black Belts with Chrome Buckles, and the Deluxe Belts would have had both belts and buckles keyed to the interior color (see Reply # 14 for further information).

Bob

[kcodecoupe]

While I am no expert on the 64-1/2's or 65's, the 64-1/2 Sales Brochure shows that they came "Standard" with Black Seat Belts (which did have a "Delete Option for them, just like the 65's. The Deluxe Belt Option, included Color-keyed (to the Interior) belts, and Retractors. Thus, the Chrome buckles would be the Deluxe Belt Option.

Bob

Than you Bob, my 64.5 has standard interior so most likely came with black buckles & belts vs  the chrome buckles

[196667Bob]

Maybe most likely, but not necessarily, since they were independent Options. Both my 66 Coupe and 67 Convertible have Standard Interior, yet both have the Deluxe Seat Belt Option.

Bob

[CharlesTurner]

We know all the early pace car coupes had the chrome seat belt buckles.  I have a copy of an original window sticker from one of them and there is no line item for deluxe belts.

[J_Speegle]

Yes not sure if your going to know for sure without an original sales form or possible buildsheet. Not sure if they would all show up on an original window sticker

Seat belts were not a popular thing at the time so allot of cars didn't get any  as mentioned

[196667Bob]

"After further review", I am going to amend my previous conclusion that the chrome buckles were the Deluxe Option. Charles' statement in regard to the Pace Cars prompted me to do some further digging. When I initially read the 64-1/2 Sales Brochure, and it stated that the "Standard Belts" were black, I took that to mean that both the belts and buckles were black, much like Standard Belts in Black would be for 1966 and 67. However, after blowing up the pictures in the 64-1/2 brochure, and looking at the 1963,64 and 65 Accessory Catalogs, the 1965 brochure, the 1965 Facts Book, the 1964 and 65 Parts and Accessories Catalog, and the 1960-68 Master Parts Catalog, I have come to the conclusion that my supposition was incorrect. I believe that the statement in the 1964-1/2 brochure only meant that the belts were black, not the buckles on the "Standard Belts". On the Deluxe Belts, both the belts and the buckles were color keyed to the interior color.

To help support this, I have attached a couple pictures from the 64-1/2 brochure, and pictures from the 1964 Accessory Catalog and from the 65 Car Facts Book. the first picture shows 64-1/2 Standard belts ; the second shows 64=1/2 Deluxe Belts, the third shows the color keyed belts and buckles, and the last picture shows a 1965 Standard Belt, just for information.

Sorry if I mislead anyone. I'll go back and modify my previous Post noting that the Deluxe belts had chrome buckles.

Bob

Bob