Jaye71

Hi everyone,

I finally pulled the trigger on a 71. It has lap belts, but would feel safer with shoulder belts as well. It looks like I have the cutouts for the belt guide in the seats. Just looking for recommendations.

I've seen a couple of factory style sets on Ecklers and Zip, but I've also seen some retro fit kits like this one.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/68-74-3-point-seat-belt-conversion-w-gm-push-button-buckle.html

Not sure which would be better or if the retro fit would require modifications to the factory set up.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan 71

Hi J,
Your 71 coupe would have been delivered with shoulder belts.

Is it possible they've been retracted all the way and are still on the reels mounted on the top of each wheel well?

Regards,
Alan

Jaye71

Hi Alan,

I think they removed the factory shoulder belts. The housing is still there, but the retractable belts are not. The lap belts are also aftermarket with no connection for the shoulder belt.

Alan 71

Hi J,
In that case I can't help.
I'm only really familiar with the original type belts... not any aftermarket.
But I'm sure you'll get some suggestions since lots of folks use aftermarket belts.
Regards,
Alan

Jaye71

Thanks Alan.

I've been reading several of the threads. I'm thinking it would probably be better to get factory style replacements since there shouldn't be any modifications needed.

Thoughts?

Wee

You can use a set out of an 90's F-Body...I think Camaro and Firebird work....You need to rear ones. See link below to a post where I put them in my 72.

http://vendo80.blogspot.com/2015/06/

You will have to scroll down to find it or just search seat belts.

Brian

7T1vette

Since you already have the shoulder belt retractor housings, you could do one of two things:

1. Try to locate the remaining retractors and metal parts of the original '71 seat belt system. Then purchase some new belt webbing and have a shop which makes racing seat belts (or other business that has heavy duty stitching equipment) assemble the new webbing to the retractors and hardware.

2. Install a later vintage of C3, Camaro, Chevelle 3-point seat belts into your car.

If you like to keep your car looking 'original', go with #1.

Mooser

F-body rear belts for me but originality isn't an issue anymore

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1592362003

No real modification is needed, I choose to reverse the retractors and even then it's hacksawing the mount flange off and drilling a new bolt hole.
No mods to the car so it's always reversible

M

Jaye71

Nice work! I like the added logo! Subtle but nice touch! I ended up just buying stock replacements so we will see how installation goes.