57 seat belts

[paul bowers]

I would like to install seat belts on 57
I think the inside straps should bolt some where on the drive shaft tunnel and the out side belts should bolt on the floor by each outer seat
my question is: aren't both of those areas just fiberglass, if so would there be any strength during an accident using those firerglass areas even with large washers or do I just don't understand where or how they would bolt? thanks in advance
paul

[James F.]

Re: 57 seat belts- Paul

Paul,Pull the lower seat out fpr a look see. On the door side there is a bracket near the floorboard corner to the fiberglas panel in front of the gas tank. This backet serves dual purpose. It mounts the power top cylinder (if you had/have opwer top AND bracket has a hole which a seat belt mouning bolt goes through. This mount is also supported on the bottom side of the fiberglass. OntThe driveshaft side at the tunell for the drive shaft there will be a small hole drilled in the glassbody floor. On the driveshaft side this hole is also reinforced with a steel plate. Easier seen from driveshift side. A bolt goes through this hole and attaches to the inner seat belt strap. Be carefulthat this bolt head does not stick out towards thee driveshaft too much. Clearance between shaft and bolt is close. That's it for belts, remember in the late '50's nobody much cared about seat belts. ' Hope this helps. Regards,

[Robert Willis]

Re: 57 seat belts

I didn't put Seat Belts in my 57. My thinking was if you ever got hit by another car there isn't much of a body to keep them from coming into the passenger compartment. At least you could be shoved over instead of being tied down. Early 57s didn't even have the door and cowel reinforcments.

http://members.kos.net/willisb/