73 seat info
Thread Starter
Almost Retired
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 237
From: Akron, Ohio
73 seat info
Trying to help a friend who has a 73, there is a plate under the floorboards that is about 9 inches square with a big nut attached to bolt in center and a screw in each corner from the top, appears to be right under seat. Is this plate avaiable and what is it called?
Ok so after a little reseach these are available, it's called an underbody seatbelt bracket, so now my question is what all is involved in replacing them? If you pull the seats is it accessable under the carpet?
Thanks, C1 guy
Ok so after a little reseach these are available, it's called an underbody seatbelt bracket, so now my question is what all is involved in replacing them? If you pull the seats is it accessable under the carpet?
Thanks, C1 guy
Last edited by CaptainEgg; Jul 9, 2025 at 05:36 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 725
From: Marietta GA
My 1973 convertible never had any reinforcement plates. The seat bolts went throughout the metal seat brackets then the metal floor pan. I recall that one of the bolts closest to the rear tire was a bit of a pain to start. I recall using a deep well socket, one of the nuts was rusted on the bolt, so I cut it off with my Dremel. I thought the later year cars had the reinforcement plates.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 3,139
From: Shamong, NJ
73 Corvettes have fiberglass floors and have metal plates for mounting both the seat and seat belts. 1976 was the first year Corvette to have steel floor pans
Last edited by gbvette62; Jul 10, 2025 at 09:41 AM.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,152
Likes: 4,264
From: US-PNW
Do you have the shoulder belts through the seat backs? You can try pulling them out the back, but it may be easier to just unbolt the shoulder belt reels from the wheel wells.
Otherwise it's straight forward: two bolts front, two bolts back - unplug any seat belt sensor attached to the bottom - and lift out.
Otherwise it's straight forward: two bolts front, two bolts back - unplug any seat belt sensor attached to the bottom - and lift out.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,428
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From: Napa Valley California
So your original question asked about replacement of the seat plates which are under the car.
They are riveted onto the body and can be removed by removing the seats, drilling out the rivets and removing the plates from under the car.
There is also a safety cable that is bolted between the plates that will need to be removed.
There is very little room with the exhaust in place but it is doable.
To remove the seats, you’ll need to remove four bolts and pull the shoulder harness straps through the seat backs.
There are plastic covers over the seat belt retractors bolted to the floor under the seats.
Be extremely careful removing these plastic covers.
They become extremely brittle, crack very easily, are no longer available and trying to find a used set In descent condition is nearly impossible.
They are a one year only part for 73 and other years will not fit.
They are riveted onto the body and can be removed by removing the seats, drilling out the rivets and removing the plates from under the car.
There is also a safety cable that is bolted between the plates that will need to be removed.
There is very little room with the exhaust in place but it is doable.
To remove the seats, you’ll need to remove four bolts and pull the shoulder harness straps through the seat backs.
There are plastic covers over the seat belt retractors bolted to the floor under the seats.
Be extremely careful removing these plastic covers.
They become extremely brittle, crack very easily, are no longer available and trying to find a used set In descent condition is nearly impossible.
They are a one year only part for 73 and other years will not fit.
