Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

[Stewart A.]

I have the seatbelt brackets in my car but no original seat belts. It looks as though there has never been any installed ? Would I be correct to say they were an option back then or am I just missing them ? What year was seat belts compulsory. Stewy

[Roy B.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

I have the seatbelt brackets in my car but no original seat belts. It looks as though there has never been any installed ? Would I be correct to say they were an option back then or am I just missing them ? What year was seat belts compulsory. Stewy

56 up were (accessory) C1's not compulsory, but back then who wonted stinking seat belts

[Stewart A.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

So what your saying is Seatbelts were an option on all C1's but not compulsory is that correct. Stewy

[Roy B.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

So what your saying is Seatbelts were an option on all C1's but not compulsory is that correct. Stewy

Not option (accessory) like a Corvette shaver! We had more freedom back then weather right or wrong , I could even ride a bike with out wearing a helmet

[Stewart A.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

Roy I was sitting in my old business a million years ago and a young fella walked in with blood all over his face, his nose smashed from one side to the other, and spitting teeth out like lollies. He told me he was in a small accident and he went through the windscreen and landed on the hood of the car he hit. Ever since that day I wear a belt and make sure my kids do. It's a little effort for saving your head from getting beat up. Stewy

[Stuart F.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

I installed seat belts in my first three cars for one simple reason; the way I drove. These cars had the old "make out" bench seats and, with a performance car, I found that I liked to stay behind the steering wheel when I was "dirt tracking" around corners. Without belts, I learned real quick that it was harder to steer from the passenger seat going around a tight corner fast.

The simple lap belts may not be the best protection in an accident, but they help (specially in a rollover or high "G" impact). In our early Vettes, we don't have many choices on what we can do for safety, but belts are a step in the right direction - or you could leave it at home in the garage and drive your Government Mandate car.

Stu Fox

[Clem Z.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

i remember my new 59 vette had seat belts. one night after dark i got stopped by the cops and as the cop came up to the car i took of my belt and the buckle hit the fiberglass beside the seat and made a "clunk". the next thing i knew the cop had a gun in my face because he said he thought i had dropped a gun inside the car. i remember that well. every car after that not only my corvettes i installed seat belts and have always worn them.

[William C.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

Although I don't have a '58-60 Judging Guide, I believe per the AIM that seatbelts became standard in '58 as FACTORY BASE EQUIPMENT on the Corvette. The JG should have a more conclusive answer to your question, but I believe the presence of the mounts would indicate a need for the seatbelts in a restoration. Tecnically in those years seatbelts were sometimes what was called a "delete option" in that they could be removed for a credit, although I don't think this was the case with the Corvette.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

don't see seat belts listed in the option list for a 59 corvette . RPO# DESCRIPTION QTY RETAIL$
867 Base Corvette Convertible 9,670 $3,875.00
101 Heater 8,909 102.25
102 AM Radio, signal seeking 7,001 149.80
107 Parking Brake Alarm 3,601 5.40
108 Courtesy Light 3,601 6.50
109 Windshield Washers 7,929 16.15
121 Radiator Fan Clutch 67 21.55
261 Sunshades 3,722 10.80
276 Wheels, 15x5.5 (5) 214 0.00
290 Whitewall Tires, 6.70x15 8,173 31.55
313 Powerglide Automatic Tansmission 1,878 199.10
419 Auxiliary Hardtop 5,481 236.75
426 Power Windows 587 59.20
440 Two-Tone Paint Combination 2,931 16.15
469 283ci, 245hp Engine (2x4 carburetors) 1,417 150.65
469C 283ci, 270hp Engine (2x4 carburetors) 1,846 182.95
473 Power Operated Folding Top 661 139.90
579 283ci, 250hp Engine (fuel injection) 175 484.20
579D 283ci, 290hp Engine (fuel injection) 745 484.20
675 Positraction Rear Axle 4,170 48.45
684 Heavy Duty Brakes and Suspension 142 425.05
685 4 Speed Manual Transmission 4,175 188.30
686 Metallic Brakes 333 26.90
1408 Blackwall Tires, 6.70x15 nylon --- ---
1625 24 Gallon Fuel Tank

[William C.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

Found an ancient judging guide that confirms they were standard in '58-up.

[John H.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

Found an ancient judging guide that confirms they were standard in '58-up.

And the anchors were present in 56's and 57's for dealer installation.

[Roy B.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

And the anchors were present in 56's and 57's for dealer installation.

As dealer (accessory)

[William C.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

Dealer install for 56-57, Std Equipment 58-up

[Edward S.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

Factory installed seat belts as standard equipment started in 1958, from what I remember when I bought the JM for my 58.

[Jim L.]

Re: Did All 1958-60 Cars Come Out With Seatbelts

And the anchors were present in 56's and 57's for dealer installation.

Hmmmm..... In 1957 for both the Corvette and passenger car, seat belts were a dealer installed option. The passenger cars did not come with anchors pre-installed, but the Corvettes did. That GM would pay for anchors that might never be used seems a little odd.

Trivia: For passenger cars, shoulder harnesses were also a dealer installed option in '57.

Jim