blk65fstbk,
I recently had the privilege to view an all original, original owner, un-restored very early '65 Dearborn Coupe. So early in fact that it has carpeting with vinyl going up the sides of the rockers. It also has a D-Code Engine, something I though was exclusive to the '64-1/2. There were many other '64-1/2 features but the fact that it has an Alternator means it is a '65. I crawled all over, in and under the car for hours looking for any signs that the car had been updated at some point. Then the owner produced all of the original paperwork, including the window sticker, a letter from Ford as he was an employee of Ford at that time and dated Polaroid Photos of the car when brand new. This was unmistakably, an all original, every document matched.
The reason I went into this much detail is that the Front Seatbelts are of the Loop and Hook design and they have the Split Metal Painted Buckles. The Widow Sticker did not indicate that the Belts were optional nor Dealer Installed. The only Options listed are the Engine, Automatic Transmission, AC, Backup Lights and AM Radio. Because of the overwhelming evidence of originality, I have no reason to believe that the Seat Belts are anything but original.
His cars Build Date is August 23rd 1964. Because of the slightly more than 2 months difference between your cars, I don't know whether there was a change made to the Seat Belts during that time. As such, I cannot say for sure that your belts would have been the same; I'm not expert enough. Hopefully someone else can expand on what I found to be of more help to you.
I'm in the process of negotiating a deal on the car. The price he is asking is very reasonable but the engine has a dead cylinder. I plan to leave it in the Un-Restored Original Category and should he agree to sell the car to me, I will take photos of the Belts. Currently, he won't allow any photos. Apparently, he's had many picture takers but no buyers, so I'm paying the price. Smart on his part, this way he was more likely to have serious buyers come by not just tire kickers and since I'm the only one who has spent so much time looking at the car, he feels comfortable selling it to me knowing I'll take good care of it...just comes down to price. I'm his last consideration, if we cannot agree on a price then he plans to give it to his Niece and her husband...fingers crossed.
Hope this helps.
Ray
