1968 Coupe Shoulder Belts

[Rich G.]

Did ALL coupes get the belts in 68? Were they optional on verts but standard on coupes?

Rich

[Jack C.]

Re: 1968 Coupe Shoulder Belts

TMJG: After January 1, 1968, all coupes were equipped with shoulder harnesses but they were optional on convertibles. My January 22 built coupe has the shoulder belts.

[Rich G.]

Re: 1968 Coupe Shoulder Belts

Thanks Jack

The reason I ask is that a friend, not an NCRS member has a 68 coupe built in April. It has no shoulder belts. When I pointed that out he showed me a GM letter in the documentation for the car from the previous owner which was sent out in 1968 saying shoulder belts were not standard, but optional on all Chevrolet cars. I told him I thought that was not the case for Corvette coups.

I always understood it to be the way you described it. I did not look at the date on the letter. Perhaps it was issued at the beginning of the model year before they decided to put them in coups.

Rich

[Reba W.]

Re: 1968 Coupe Shoulder Belts

I believe it was mandated by the federal government after January 1, 1968. It was not a matter of GM deciding to add them.

[Jack C.]

Re: 1968 Coupe Shoulder Belts

I have the original NOTICE TO OWNERS letter that states' Front seat shoulder belts are not installed as standard equipment at the start of production in any 1968 General Motors passenger cars and are not included in the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Shoulder belts are available as an option.

The letter is Part No. 3937964 - GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION 1967 LITHO IN U.S.A

[Dick W.]

Re: 1968 Coupe Shoulder Belts

I have the original NOTICE TO OWNERS letter that states' Front seat shoulder belts are not installed as standard equipment at the start of production in any 1968 General Motors passenger cars and are not included in the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Shoulder belts are available as an option.

The letter is Part No. 3937964 - GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION 1967 LITHO IN U.S.A

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #208 Passenger Cars (Effective 1-1-68)
Lap or lap and shoulder seat belt assemblies for each designated seating position. ,Except in convertibles lap and shoulder seat belt assemblies are required in each front outboard seating position.