66 Body Tag - How did I do?

[gbullman]

I think I’ve decoded my Body Tag but asking for corrections if I made any mistakes and have a couple of question? Picture of tag attached.

10D = Build Date of 4th week of October. Assuming this would be October 1965
E (clear in person, picture tough to read) = Black Paint in Interior
ST 66-10767 = 66 Corsa Convertible
WRN = assembled in Willow Run plant
737 = believe this is Production Sequence, but what does it represent; 737th 66 Corvair from Willow Run, 737th 66 Corsa, 737th 66 Corsa Convertible, or something else?
TR 758 = believe this means Black Bucket Seats?
N-2 = Madeira Maroon with Black Convertible top
W = Tinted Windshield I believe?

Thanks to Brad for pulling links to many references together. Needed to look at quite a few to get this far.

[Wagon Master]

Sometimes with the tag it's not what is there it is what is not there. With it being such an early body, I see no hole indicating the mounting lugs for seatbelts.

[gbullman]

It does have seat belts that appear to be original. Weren’t they required by 66?

[bbodie52]

I think I’ve decoded my Body Tag but asking for corrections if I made any mistakes and have a couple of question? Picture of tag attached.

10D = Build Date of 4th week of October. Assuming this would be October 1965
E (clear in person, picture tough to read) = Black Paint in Interior
ST 66-10767 = 66 Corsa Convertible
WRN = assembled in Willow Run plant
737 = believe this is Production Sequence, but what does it represent; 737th 66 Corvair from Willow Run, 737th 66 Corsa, 737th 66 Corsa Convertible, or something else?
TR 758 = believe this means Black Bucket Seats?
N-2 = Madeira Maroon with Black Convertible top
W = Tinted Windshield I believe?

PERFECT!! I can't find any flaws in your interpretation!

The indication I have for "737" is that it is the BODY NUMBER, likely the production number assigned by Fisher Body. I don't know if it has any way of drawing any further meaning. The serial number on the VIN tag would have some meaning in the production sequence for the entire car from the Willow Run plant, but that amounts basically to a unique serial number when combined with the rest of the VIN tag data.

http://wittelaw.com/personal/buildtag/index.htm

Most seat belt laws in the United States are left to the states and territories. However, the first seat belt law was a federal law, Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Safety Standard, which took effect on January 1, 1968, that required all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts in all designated seating positions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seat_belt ... positions.

[1966 Corvair Model Year] Improved three- and four-speed synchromesh manual transmissions; last year of Corsa model, last year of Canadian production at Oshawa. Late 1965 modification to steering shaft adds a U-joint and floor reinforcement to reduce risks of column intrusion in collisions. Tire size upgraded to 7.00–13 from 6.50–13, with narrower .625 in (15.9 mm) whitewall. New "spoke"-style wheel covers for all models with specific model centers. Front Chevy emblem now blue (remaining this color until the end of production). New optional equipment includes headrests, shoulder harnesses, four-speaker Delco FM stereo multiplex, power rear antenna, mag-style (N96) wheelcovers. New, smaller condenser mounted behind the engine for air-conditioned cars. Four lap belts (two front, two rear), padded instrument panel, larger taillight lenses, day-night rearview mirror, now standard on all models. Backup lights, windshield washers, padded sun visors now standard. Monzas and Corsas feature black crinkle finish on instrument panels. New rear deck emblem designs for 110-hp and 140-hp cars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet ... %20engine.

[JB66]

Very cool-Mine is the same color and rolled out not too much earlier than yours. Your body # is referring to Corsa convertible body number in production.

[azdave]

It does have seat belts that appear to be original. Weren’t they required by 66?

Yes, but not shoulder belts.

In mid-66 production (Feb I think), Fisher Body began providing provisions to add the optional shoulder belts for the front occupants. A small threaded hole was added to the roof rail above the 1/4 glass rear window, close to the coat hook, but it was completely hidden by the headliner material if not in use. As a way for a dealer to know if that threaded holes was hidden behind the headliner, Fisher Body punched a tiny hole in the body tag. Usually in the left lower corner. The holes are usually 1/8" dia. and most people don't notice them.

If someone went to a dealer and asked to have shoulder belts added, the dealer could look for the punched hole in the body tag and know whether or not the car was prepped for that option without having to pull the headliner down or poke around with a sharp object trying to feel for a hole that might not be there.

Note the May 66 build date and the small hole in this body tag. You can easily add factory shoulder belts to this coupe.

[66vairguy]

It does have seat belts that appear to be original. Weren’t they required by 66?

azdave is correct -- the body tag hole was done only to show shoulder belts could be installed.

Actually seat belts WERE NOT required by Federal government regulations in 1966, but GM voluntarily installed them as standard equipment front and back in anticipation of the new requirements, as did most automobile manufacturers.

One question that comes up is why did GM only install front seat belts as standard equipment in the 65 models. There is no documented reason, but logic suggests the sudden increase in demand meant that seat belt manufacturing simply could not meet demand so only front seat belts were installed in the 1965 model Corvairs, although rear seat belts were optional.

[gbullman]

Yes, but not shoulder belts.

In mid-66 production (Feb I think), Fisher Body began providing provisions to add the optional shoulder belts for the front occupants. A small threaded hole was added to the roof rail above the 1/4 glass rear window, close to the coat hook, but it was completely hidden by the headliner material if not in use. As a way for a dealer to know if that threaded holes was hidden behind the headliner, Fisher Body punched a tiny hole in the body tag. Usually in the left lower corner. The holes are usually 1/8" dia. and most people don't notice them.

If someone went to a dealer and asked to have shoulder belts added, the dealer could look for the punched hole in the body tag and know whether or not the car was prepped for that option without having to pull the headliner down or poke around with a sharp object trying to feel for a hole that might not be there.

Note the May 66 build date and the small hole in this body tag. You can easily add factory shoulder belts to this coupe.

What a cool piece of information! Since I've got a convertible and it was an October Assembly date, no chance of those hidden blind nuts. To be honest if they were present I'd probably take advantage of them. So much more protection than just seat belts.

[joelsplace]

You might be in trouble if a shoulder belt held you upright in a rollover.

[66vairguy]

I recall one of the Corvair assembly manuals showed an installation diagram for shoulder belts in the convertible.

However Joel makes a good point, especially for a convertible. The Corvair convertible windshield frame is flimsy!!!

The automakers were convinced roll over requirements would end convertibles (and sales were way down), but the government figured anybody who wanted to take a chance in a convertible could do it at their own risk and exempted convertibles.

[joelsplace]

Way back when the government still allowed people to make a few of their own decisions.

[gbullman]

Hopefully I'm well past my days of rolling cars. Once was enough for a lifetime!