Thread: Seat Belts

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I'v switched gears from the Rambler lately ( waiting on parts ) and have been working on my '51 Chevy. I'v decided to put seat belts in it .. I'v got a set all picked out, artic white belts, with chrome aircraft type latches. from the same place I bought my Interior kit, so I know it will all match. $28.95 each... it comes with all mounting hardware, but how are they put in safely? There isn't any retractors

Most of those type of belts do not have retractors, they adjust like the belts on airplanes. They used to sell spring loaded rollers you could put in the belts to roll them up when not in use. Just have to make sure they a pulled all the way out when you adjust the belt for tightness. To anchor them there are a number of places that sell anchoring kits that have large eyebolts and wide thick washers to spread the load. You should be able to get the anchor kits at the same place you cound the belts. Locate a suitble place in the car floor to drill through to install them. Make sure the floor is plenty sound, and reinforce it if necessary. Arctic white may be difficult to keep clean and new looking.

Good on ya for putting belts in the ol' Chebbie. I just read about a bad crash in a 62 Studebaker where the occupants were not wearing belts. Both were thrown from the car, the woman passenger died and the driver's back was broken in 5 places, he is still in critical care. The accident was not their fault, the driver of a rental truck clipped their left rear fender and spun them causing the car to roll 1.5 times.

Safety in vintage cars should be a concern for all of us who drive them and carry our loved ones with us.

Pat

For what it's worth....white seat belts will get really dirty and will show the dirt quickly. Factory white interiors had black seat belts.... for that reason.

Hand oils will soil any seat belt....if you have ever taken a wet cloth and washed a normal belt, you have seen how much crud gets on the webbing. Your steering wheel is worse! I wash the belts and interior parts of the truck every couple of months and am amazed at the crud that comes off.

Thanks, I thought they went into the floor just wanted to make sure about bracing, should I put a plate on the bottom of the floor, and bolt in the plate, for reinforcement..

I know the seat belts will be a little hard to keep clean but my interior is 2 tone grape purple and artic white, they only offer the artic white seat belts, so to match, it's got to be the Artic white. seat belts arn't the real issue of keeping clean as the carpet is white as well

Matt,
Juliano's has what you need

(http://www.julianos.com/catalog.html) :

http://www.julianos.com/2_point_belt_hwso.html

and

http://www.julianos.com/belt_retractors.html

Thanks.. The mounting kit is just what I need. think I'll get the clip on retractors too