need help with 73 seat belts
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: Lilburn Ga
need help with 73 seat belts
My dad has decided to give me his 73 stingray. 10 years ago it looked great, but now needs a full restore. Before I can drive it though, I need to get the lower seat belts working. The retractors are shot. I was a c4guy, and got fairly good with those, but c3's are another thing. The car has the dark saddle interior, and I would like to keep the belts the same color, but in searching, I really dont know what to get. I have not taken possesion of the car yet, but my dad tells me I need new retractors, and cant seem to find anything under 400 dollars. Does anyone know how I can get these lower retractors working again? The upper belts work fine, but the lowers dont. I really dont want to do a retrofit, Id like to keep it looking as stock as possible. Sorry if this question is dumb, I just dont know how to get them working affordably. If anyone has any advice that would be great. Seems like the 73 is unique in the belt design?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Check out Andovers "1970-77 Original Style Corvette Seat Belts", about 1/2 way down the page. Looks like they have the retractors in dark sadle for 100 apiece. part no. WS162:
Dark Saddle(1972-73) WS152 WS162 WS172 WS184 WS194
Call them to make sure they will attatch to your factory shoulder harneses.
http://www.andoauto.com/Corvette4.htm
Dark Saddle(1972-73) WS152 WS162 WS172 WS184 WS194
Call them to make sure they will attatch to your factory shoulder harneses.
http://www.andoauto.com/Corvette4.htm
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: Lilburn Ga
Dude that helps! And that sounds like a fair, price, Ill check that now...
looks like they sell just the retractors for 55 a piece. Yea, maybe I found a solution!
looks like they sell just the retractors for 55 a piece. Yea, maybe I found a solution!
Last edited by soundkillr; Mar 20, 2009 at 06:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
You have to be a bit carefull with Andover,, there parts page isn't descriptive enough. Sounds likwe you need is a lap/floor retractor in dark saddle with a metal end that will fit the stock latch and stock shoulder harness. Be sure to call them and explain Exactly what you need. They have it,, you just need to be specific about it. C 
Last edited by RunningMan373; Mar 20, 2009 at 10:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,672
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
You are right that they are not easy to find,but if you're patient, they are out there. I found NOS 73 shoulder belts (Black) for my 73 later last year for $125 each.
You can also check out Snakoyl. They will refurbish the ones that you have now. They do great work but are not cheep.
You can also check out Snakoyl. They will refurbish the ones that you have now. They do great work but are not cheep.
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 13
From: St. Marys Ohio
If you want to do it right, cal Charlie Santorelli at Seatbelt Sity. 908-719-2354 Days only. He did a fantastic job on the total restoration of my 63 belts.
Keep in mind, Charlie isn't a warm and fuzzy chit chatty kind of guy. He's all business, but that's just the way he is. He does belts right !!
Keep in mind, Charlie isn't a warm and fuzzy chit chatty kind of guy. He's all business, but that's just the way he is. He does belts right !!
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Tom Hendricks tom@budschevy.com
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Corvette Specialist Since 1993
BUDS CHEVROLET
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Tom Hendricks tom@budschevy.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buds-Chevrolet-Buick-Corvette/176730955684255?ref=hl
Corvette Specialist Since 1993
BUDS CHEVROLET
St. Marys, Ohio
800-688-2837
WEBSITE WWW.BUDSCHEVY.COM
HOURS MON-WED 7:00AM - 5:00PM
FFRIDAY AND SATURDAY BY APPT.
OFF THURSDAYS
NCRS # 23758 Miami Valley Chapter ( Ohio )
NCM Founding Member #1143
NADA Classic Car Guide Advisiory Board Member
C5/C6 Registry Corporate Member # 5
My Corvettes. 63, 71, 73, 78.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: Lilburn Ga
Thanks guys, I will give them a call and tell them exactly what I need. I dont want to end up with belts that wont work with the factory upper belt. Has anyone had any luck just replacing the retractors from andover? I see the 3/4 of the way down.
The belts themselves are in great shape, just didnt know if I had to replace the whole thing, or could get away with replacing the retractors...
The belts themselves are in great shape, just didnt know if I had to replace the whole thing, or could get away with replacing the retractors...
Last edited by soundkillr; Mar 21, 2009 at 09:38 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
This is what I did,,, I salvaged a set of retractors out of and old econoline,, they are almost identical,, same size etc. Changed the webbing to the right color and added my old buckles.. voila
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 12
I found that the rear lap belt retractors from an 85 impala are very similiar in design
Carfully pry off the plastic cover that retains the spring and holding it close unwind it.
now swap in your belt and reload the spring. 14.00 at local junk yard
Carfully pry off the plastic cover that retains the spring and holding it close unwind it.
now swap in your belt and reload the spring. 14.00 at local junk yard
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
BTW 
If by any chance you are going to through away the old retractors, I will pay any shipping charges to take them,, I have an old set witch is missing springs and other small parts to complete a restoration. 
If by any chance you are going to through away the old retractors, I will pay any shipping charges to take them,, I have an old set witch is missing springs and other small parts to complete a restoration.
