1966 Chateau Slate L78 Chevelle

[OneStopRestoration]

This project I really went out on a limb and decided to purchase a Consew 206RB-5 sewing machine. There commonly found in upholstery shops. My first task for the new shop tool was to resew the 66 Deluxe seat belts. I had a few hours of trial and error with the correct box and straight stitch that GM used on there original belts. Seen here below is the process I finally worked out where you used sewing grade double stick tape to hold the fold over together before you lay down the stitching. Final picture is a finished Buckle assembly with box stitch.

[OneStopRestoration]

I found an original set of 66/67 deluxe seat belts and tore them down. I had the top plates and rear main housings sent of and the proper chrome finishes redone. I merely cleaned up the stagecoach features and repainted the back button press. All the other internals were sent off to be zinc plated. I found there was a mix of clear zinc and yellow zinc so i stuck with the clear. Once the pieces are assembled to the belts I cover the buckles and finish the sewing. These are original 3 panel belts that have been very lightly dyed. The finished set of belts is in the last picture. It was extremely hard to find 4 decent deluxe belt covers which are a 66 one year only thing. I wanted to ask other 66 chevelle experts I see a mix of straight and somewhat larger triangular belt covers on various 66 cars. Is it correct that Atlanta cars got the triangular style belt covers? I need to know for my dads 66 L78.