68 seat belt installation

[Ernest C.]

I'm in the process of installing original seat belts in my 68. I know where the retractors bolt thru the floor, but is the retractor under the carpet or does it mount on top of the carpet?
Thank you

[Gene M.]

Re: 68 seat belt installation

It's been a long time since I restored my 68 but I seem to recall it was under the carpet. The strap and buckle was feed thru a cut slot thru the carpet adjacent to the seat. My car is early 67 build if that makes a difference.

[Ernest C.]

Re: 68 seat belt installation

Thanks, that is what I thought but I took this car apart 15 years ago and am now finishing it.

[Russ T.]

Re: 68 seat belt installation

Here's a useful thread that I initiated on this topic:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?105372-Need-Confirmation-on-1968-Corvette-Seat-Belt-Layout&goto=newpost

You can buy the grommets on e-bay, too. Per dicussions on this site, they are correct for 1968 too, although
only listed as 1969-1971:


1969-1971 C3 CORVETTE SEAT BELT CARPET INSERT GROMMETS

I have an early '68 with the seat belt retractors as well. Others here have weighed in on the subject too.

Russ Trotter
NCRS #15044

[Gene M.]

Re: 68 seat belt installation

[QUOTE=Russ Trotter (15044);709765].......................
You can buy the grommets on e-bay, too. Per dicussions on this site, they are correct for 1968 too, although
only listed as 1969-1971: ..................

I feel pretty sure the seat belt grommets were not on the early '68. My evidence shows that only a cut slit in the carpet for the belt to feed thru was done.

The '68 model year was full of a lot of running changes so it's possible it was added later............

[Rich G.]

Re: 68 seat belt installation

I have a July 68 built coupe with original carpets and no grommets. It has original belts and no retractors. Are retractors missing on mine or were they only on earlier cars? I don't recall what the TM/JG says.

Rich

[Gene M.]

Re: 68 seat belt installation

I have a July 68 built coupe with original carpets and no grommets. It has original belts and no retractors. Are retractors missing on mine or were they only on earlier cars? I don't recall what the TM/JG says.

Rich

Rich,
I would suggest you remove the seat and lift up the carpet to see the retractors. Possibly they are there but frozen so they don't retract. My history has seen this more than not. But then again 68 had a lot of running changes.

[Rich G.]

Re: 68 seat belt installation

Rich,
I would suggest you remove the seat and lift up the carpet to see the retractors. Possibly they are there but frozen so they don't retract. My history has seen this more than not. But then again 68 had a lot of running changes.

Thanks Gene. I will take a look.

Rich

[Terry B.]

Re: 68 seat belt installation

My December built '68 did not come with retractors on the seat belts.

Terry