Seat Belts
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 3,136
From: Shamong, NJ
70 and 71, all used the same belts.
69 was a split year, with the plastic buckle belts that were used at the beginning of the year, being replaced by what I think were the same belts as the 70-71's, later in the model year.
72-73 belts, are similar, but had retractors for the lap belts.
69 was a split year, with the plastic buckle belts that were used at the beginning of the year, being replaced by what I think were the same belts as the 70-71's, later in the model year.
72-73 belts, are similar, but had retractors for the lap belts.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
I. Recently picked up and driving project 71 and need seat belts in order to drive it! I want to know what to be on the lookout for! I just need a full set of seat belts lap and shoulder with everything. My car had nothing at all to do with belts
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The '70/71 belt hardware is very difficult to come by. There are some repop sets that are very good; but they are also very expensive.
And, I must tell you, that the original belt sets have their own set of problems which you may not care to perpetuate. The lap belt and shoulder belt are separate items, with a 'rivet-type' post on the lap buckle to which the shoulder buckle mounts. PITA. More importantly, the shoulder belt retractors of that era DID NOT ratchet so that you could keep the belt from rubbing your neck raw. That improvement came later.
If I were in your position, I would get a decent set of belts from a later-model Camaro/Firebird. There should be several threads archived on what to buy and how to install them. They would be much easier for the passengers to use and more comfortable, as well.
If you want it to be NCRS-grade 'correct', you will just have to find all the right hardware for the '70/71 cars and have new webbing installed to it.
And, I must tell you, that the original belt sets have their own set of problems which you may not care to perpetuate. The lap belt and shoulder belt are separate items, with a 'rivet-type' post on the lap buckle to which the shoulder buckle mounts. PITA. More importantly, the shoulder belt retractors of that era DID NOT ratchet so that you could keep the belt from rubbing your neck raw. That improvement came later.
If I were in your position, I would get a decent set of belts from a later-model Camaro/Firebird. There should be several threads archived on what to buy and how to install them. They would be much easier for the passengers to use and more comfortable, as well.
If you want it to be NCRS-grade 'correct', you will just have to find all the right hardware for the '70/71 cars and have new webbing installed to it.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 25
From: Boynton Beach Florida
For your '71 if factory equipped would have come with two piece belt system consisting of a Non-retractable lap belt and a Retractable Shoulder belt. The shoulder goes through the seat so you'll need to look at your seats and see if you have the metal insert that runs the wide of the upper portion of the seat. Most seatbelt delete cars have this but the openings for the seatbelts are covered. You'll need a Left and a Right version of this with the openings. Chances are you'll also have to purchase the rear chrome openings and cut the seat material to install these.
You'll need to check the mounting hole location for the buckle side. 1969-1971 are normally 12" since the mounting hole was at the very back of the transmission tunnel. In 1972 the moved the hole forward and switched to a 7.5" buckle and sleeve then in 1974 the went to an 8.5". I have seen some 1970 and 1971 cars that have the shorter buckle and sleeve. The reproduction belts that my company builds come with the longer version but I have swapped several for cars that had either had theirs changed or came from GM with the shorter version.
The 1970-71 also used a horizontal mounting position for the shoulder retractor whereas the 1968Late and 1969 were mounted on a vertical plane on the rear wheelwell.
You'll need to check the mounting hole location for the buckle side. 1969-1971 are normally 12" since the mounting hole was at the very back of the transmission tunnel. In 1972 the moved the hole forward and switched to a 7.5" buckle and sleeve then in 1974 the went to an 8.5". I have seen some 1970 and 1971 cars that have the shorter buckle and sleeve. The reproduction belts that my company builds come with the longer version but I have swapped several for cars that had either had theirs changed or came from GM with the shorter version.
The 1970-71 also used a horizontal mounting position for the shoulder retractor whereas the 1968Late and 1969 were mounted on a vertical plane on the rear wheelwell.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,303
Likes: 14
From: Lynn MA
70 and 71, all used the same belts.
69 was a split year, with the plastic buckle belts that were used at the beginning of the year, being replaced by what I think were the same belts as the 70-71's, later in the model year.
72-73 belts, are similar, but had retractors for the lap belts.
69 was a split year, with the plastic buckle belts that were used at the beginning of the year, being replaced by what I think were the same belts as the 70-71's, later in the model year.
72-73 belts, are similar, but had retractors for the lap belts.
Here are mine, back from chroming
Last edited by BOSTONCAMARO; Aug 8, 2013 at 04:38 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 25
From: Boynton Beach Florida
I know you know your stuff, someone on here told me that 69 was a 3 type of belt year...my car was built in Nov 69.I could not find any used belts and my buckle design seems to be a bit different than others...I was told there were 3 types
Here are mine, back from chroming
Here are mine, back from chroming
Your tongues came out great
if you don't have buckles you'll have to find the correct GM metal buckles for those tongues since they changed internally. Outsides all look the same but the latch catch inside is a different depth so I hope you have the buckles that are matched to those new tongues. Yours are also the one year that the shoulder belt has the post that inserts into the slot on your tongues. 1970 and up they switched it so the shoulder has a collar and the tongue had the post.
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