1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

[GLEN RITZ]

Does the lap belt have a retractor system under the seat? I restored my belts and saw that the belt under the seat has a rollup device that the belt is on, but found no spring system to retract the belt. Also, I noticed that my vents on the front clip side panels are silver and not the same color as the car. Are they supposed to be color co-ordinated with 1968 or silver like the 1969? Thanks,

Glen
NCRS#36986

[Gene M.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

Glen The 68 has a gator spring that winds up the seat belt. It is a very poor design and seldom works with out attention. Many people first thought there was no retractor on the 68 for this reason. Some times carefull disassemble and clean up can get these working again. I redid my 68 years back, they work but not as well as I would like. The path they are designed to travel is very very poor. And gator springs are not good once contaminated with dirt and moisture.

[Gene M.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

Glen The 68 has a gator spring that winds up the seat belt. It is a very poor design and seldom works with out attention. Many people first thought there was no retractor on the 68 for this reason. Some times carefull disassemble and clean up can get these working again. I redid my 68 years back, they work but not as well as I would like. The path they are designed to travel is very very poor. And gator springs are not good once contaminated with dirt and moisture.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

Glen----

I've forgotten the deal on 1968 lap belts. Vaguely, I recall that a retractor was used for the D-ring end of the belt. For 1969, no retractor was used for the lap belt, though. I'm certain of that.

With respect to your question on the front fender vents, ALL 68s had the vents painted simultaneously with the body and were, therefore, body color. 1969 was the same except for those cars with the TJ-2 louver trim option which was available only in 1969. With this option, louver inserts were installed which were retained with screws and these louver trim were silver in color.

Although not available for the 68 model year, the TJ-2 louver trim were available in SERVICE for many years (including right up to this very day, believe it or not) and could be installed on a 1968 model very easily since the louvers were exactly the same as 1969. If this trim has been installed on your car, someone could have done it previously. It was a popular and easily installed item for those so-inclined.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

Glen----

I've forgotten the deal on 1968 lap belts. Vaguely, I recall that a retractor was used for the D-ring end of the belt. For 1969, no retractor was used for the lap belt, though. I'm certain of that.

With respect to your question on the front fender vents, ALL 68s had the vents painted simultaneously with the body and were, therefore, body color. 1969 was the same except for those cars with the TJ-2 louver trim option which was available only in 1969. With this option, louver inserts were installed which were retained with screws and these louver trim were silver in color.

Although not available for the 68 model year, the TJ-2 louver trim were available in SERVICE for many years (including right up to this very day, believe it or not) and could be installed on a 1968 model very easily since the louvers were exactly the same as 1969. If this trim has been installed on your car, someone could have done it previously. It was a popular and easily installed item for those so-inclined.

[Daniel S.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

My original interior '68 has absolutly no retractable system on any of the seat belts. The build date of my vette is April '68.

The fender vents should be body color except for the vent closest to each door will be painted black...since there actually is no opening there.

[Daniel S.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

My original interior '68 has absolutly no retractable system on any of the seat belts. The build date of my vette is April '68.

The fender vents should be body color except for the vent closest to each door will be painted black...since there actually is no opening there.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

Dan reference your original interior 68 and no retractors for the seat belt. As Joe has mentioned the D-ring piece of the seat belts only had the retractor. Having a original owner 68 that is a Feb built car mine came with the retractors. If you would move your seat all the way up and pull up the carpet and you will see where your seat belt goes into some black plastic. In the black plastic is the retractor. Do you still have the seat belt labels attached to your belts?

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

Dan reference your original interior 68 and no retractors for the seat belt. As Joe has mentioned the D-ring piece of the seat belts only had the retractor. Having a original owner 68 that is a Feb built car mine came with the retractors. If you would move your seat all the way up and pull up the carpet and you will see where your seat belt goes into some black plastic. In the black plastic is the retractor. Do you still have the seat belt labels attached to your belts?

[Daniel S.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

I stand corrected..there is a a retractable setup on the outboard belts. Obviously they do not work. Appears to be a rather bad design to say the least.

[Daniel S.]

Re: 1968 Seatbelts/Front Panel Vents

I stand corrected..there is a a retractable setup on the outboard belts. Obviously they do not work. Appears to be a rather bad design to say the least.