68 shoulder harness
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
68 shoulder harness
I have a question on a 68 convertible. I'm doing a body off restoration and I noticed that a reinforcement plate is mounted (riveted) to the body where a shoulder harness would have been located. In 68 only 350 cars had the shoulder harness installed from the factory as an option. My question is did the factory install the hardware on all cars or was it just on the cars ordered with this option? One thing I was told was that all 68-69 coupes came with the shoulder harness while convertibles came with lap belts and the shoulder harness was optioinal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
I have a question on a 68 convertible. I'm doing a body off restoration and I noticed that a reinforcement plate is mounted (riveted) to the body where a shoulder harness would have been located. In 68 only 350 cars had the shoulder harness installed from the factory as an option. My question is did the factory install the hardware on all cars or was it just on the cars ordered with this option? One thing I was told was that all 68-69 coupes came with the shoulder harness while convertibles came with lap belts and the shoulder harness was optioinal.
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; May 5, 2010 at 06:57 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The info I have shows that option for '68 as A85, "custom shoulder harness" (for $26.35). It does not indicate whether that was available only for coupes or for all '68 Corvettes. In '69 that same option was "custom shoulder belts" but cost $42.15. I am personally unfamiliar with either. I had a '68 coupe at one time, but it did not have that option.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
RPO A85 (shoulder belts) was available for convertibles 1968-75. Only a small percentage of buyers chose that option. The reinforcement plate should be on all units however.
I believe the belts went through a plastic guide in the top of the seats for 1968-69 and through the seats themselves for 1970-75.
Here is the threaded hole in the plate with factory rubber plug on my 1974.
The belt and retractor.
Through the seat.
How lap and shoulder link.
I believe the belts went through a plastic guide in the top of the seats for 1968-69 and through the seats themselves for 1970-75.
Here is the threaded hole in the plate with factory rubber plug on my 1974.
The belt and retractor.
Through the seat.
How lap and shoulder link.
Last edited by Paul L; May 5, 2010 at 09:06 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
68 shoulder belts wher kind of unpractical. They had no reel, so where fixed length.
They had their own buckle, so you had to close the lap belt and the shoulder belt on their own.
69 shoulder belts had reels and attached to the lap belt buckle.
If you decide to install shoulder belt, order the 69-72 type lap/shoulder belt set. Looks original and who cares about the 1 year difference.
That's what I intend to do. You also need the belt guides on top of the seat backs. They are not reproduced, but 1 gentleman in this forum is reproducing those privately out of polished stainless steel. Look original.
And of course, do not install shoulder belts without the headrest option.
Rgds. Günther
68 shoulder belts wher kind of unpractical. They had no reel, so where fixed length.
They had their own buckle, so you had to close the lap belt and the shoulder belt on their own.
69 shoulder belts had reels and attached to the lap belt buckle.
If you decide to install shoulder belt, order the 69-72 type lap/shoulder belt set. Looks original and who cares about the 1 year difference.
That's what I intend to do. You also need the belt guides on top of the seat backs. They are not reproduced, but 1 gentleman in this forum is reproducing those privately out of polished stainless steel. Look original.
And of course, do not install shoulder belts without the headrest option.
Rgds. Günther
Last edited by WESCH; May 5, 2010 at 03:20 PM. Reason: attachment of pic, hoep it works
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Sounds like if you are doing a restoration and want it to be 'original', you just don't want to bother with that option, since it was a "one-year wonder". But, if you want it for safety reasons, a '69 or later system or an aftermarket set might be the way to go.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Not even close to stock. I have all the stock goodies in case one day someone wants it back that way, but everything from the drivetrain, suspension, etc is aftermarket. I love the look of the stock interior and will keep it that way. As for belts I plan on using the lap belt for legal reasons and a 5 point harness when the cops aren't looking.
http://vetteworksonline.com/corvette...bar_series.htm
http://vetteworksonline.com/corvette...bar_series.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Not even close to stock. I have all the stock goodies in case one day someone wants it back that way, but everything from the drivetrain, suspension, etc is aftermarket. I love the look of the stock interior and will keep it that way. As for belts I plan on using the lap belt for legal reasons and a 5 point harness when the cops aren't looking. http://vetteworksonline.com/corvette...bar_series.htm
http://vetteworksonline.com/corvette...bar_series.htm
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,370
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
I have Snake-Oyl repro 68 shoulder belts on my 68 Convertible. They are very unpractical. Not having a reel, once you put them on snug, you are firmly strapped into the seat. You can't lean forward and move around to get the various views out of the rear view mirrors that you need. Also, not having a reel, the have to be left laying loose in the rear storage compartment where thay can get in the way of anything you might have back there. (There is a two sectioned plastic "bucket" you place the clips in between the two seats if your not using them, but you still end up with lot of loose webbing just laying on the storage compartment floor. )
