Custom versus Standard Seat Belts
Short answer: Deluxe (Custom) vs. Standard belt buckles:
- Deluxe: brushed-chrome metal buckle cover; the latch (“spade”) has a narrow slot.
- Standard: color-keyed plastic cover; wide latch slot.
- Button emblem: 1967–68 Deluxe used the Fisher coach emblem (black); 1969 and later used the GM Mark of Excellence (blue).
Members’ measurements differ a bit: one cites a 9/16″ (Deluxe) vs 1-1/8″ (Standard) spade slot; another, measuring an original 1968 Deluxe set, gives the buckle’s latch slot at ~2.1875″ wide and the male latch slot at .50×.625″.
Mystery: some Firebirds (e.g., a documented 1968 RA I convertible with original date-coded Deluxe belts) came with Deluxe belts not noted on the paperwork — another unexplained one, like the “Bird” glass.
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Just a question or comment here on seat belts. I have a original 67, 400, with standard seat belts even though I have the deluxe package ( doc. by PHS). My belts have the GM on the button. So it sounds like it can be either way. Maybe it depend on which factory built the car. Mine is early April build too.
I have a 1967 firebird convertable with the following options I’m trying to figure out how rare it really is?
It has a 400 YT code
3 speed auto with console with a clock
Signet Gold with Medium Red custom interiror
Power windows
Tilt steering wheel
full size spare
No air or cruise
White top not powered
and a white top not powered