1970 Shoulder Belt

[Tom L.]

I found something on this issue in the achieves on another year. Probably the same, but I just wanted to double check.

The only evidence of shoulder belts I have on a '70 convertible is a D ring with a tab to clip the shoulder belt to, pictured below, and the body reinforcements to which the shoulder belt retractor is bolted. I have no shoulder belt, the seats have been recovered and the metal trim through which the belt is fed has been replaced.

Did all cars come with the tab on the D ring and the body reinforcements for the shoulder belts, or, is this evidence that the car came with shoulder belts that were subsequently removed? Thanks.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

Did all cars come with the tab on the D ring and the body reinforcements for the shoulder belts,

Yes

Is this evidence that the car came with shoulder belts that were subsequently removed? Thanks.

No.

And ten more letters to satisfy the F'ed up vBulletin.

[Tom L.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

Thanks Terry. I'm not sure I understand the second half of your response.
Do you know how the bolt hole was plugged in the body reinforcement if there were no shoulder belts? I'm guessing a plastic plug.

[Richard T.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

The coupe came with shoulder belts and the convertible did not. The shoulder belt could be ordered as a option on the convertible. I doubt a convertible would have holes drilled for retractors but unused hidden interior covered holes have nylon plugs. The metal adjustment part was brushed stainless like your photo shows and all cars had a metal clip in front of the seat to attach the lap belt when not in use. The coupe had holes in the upper seat backs for shoulder belt routing and the metal clip was not used but all seats came with the clip in case the owner did not want to use the shoulder belt. Now by state law if the car came with a shoulder belt use it or get a ticket. If your lap belts are original, there will be a tag sewn on with a date code with the Hamill manufacture name. I know it gets complicated and good luck finding a correct belt if yours have been replaced.

[Roberto L.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

The plastic threaded button shown is from a 69

best regards

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

Tom
Shoulder belts in a convertible cost $42.15 and only 475 buyers out of 6648 convertibles in 1970 had the option factory installed. That's less than 10%.

[D S.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

My 1970 convertible has factory shoulder belts!

Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

We are required by vBulletin (the program that runs this site) to post 10 words. A simple "yes" and "no" will not work with this cursed program.

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

Tom the 69-72 convertibles that I have worked on with out seat belts had the same thread in plastic plug that Roberto shows in his photo. So with that I would say all cars had the shoulder belt reinforcement installed. Hope that helps. Paul 18046

[Tom L.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

Thanks everyone for the help.

Terry, thanks for the vbulletin explanation. I guess I'm too long winded to ever come across the word minimum.

[Steven G.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

I agree with Paul, they all had reinforcement plate with a drilled hole. The button that Robert displays is threaded plastic, 3/4" overall length, using a straight screwdriver to remove or install and is hollow inside as if it were drilled but came out of mold that way, this is my observation from a 71'. Steve

[D S.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

I previously owned another 1970 convertible without shoulder harnesses and discovered that there were threaded bolt holes on the wheel well areas for shoulder belts. I understood that all 1970 Corvettes came with the threaded bolt holes and I assume 1971 and 1972 did, too. However, I believe that the upper seat section on non-shoulder belt cars didn't have the shoulder belt components inside them. It's my understanding that to convert a non-shoulder belt car to shoulder belts is more involved than just installing a set and replacing the seat bezels in the fronts. Also the quarter trim panels are supposed to have pass-through cutouts.

[Steven G.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

The seat back frames look identical having drilled screw holes for slide thru shoulder belt guide, another part needed to convert to A-85 option. Steve

[Roberto L.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

The picture I showed is from a friend's 69 convertible which didn't have shoulder belts. When I checked the interior to install some belts I discovered the threads and the buttons covering it.

Apparently all convertible have the reinforcement ready to bolt the belts which sounds logical.

Best regards

[John H.]

Re: 1970 Shoulder Belt

We are required by vBulletin (the program that runs this site) to post 10 words. A simple "yes" and "no" will not work with this cursed program.

The censoring robot also has an immense distaste for the word "r i m m i n g"