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Old Sep 27, 2015 | 02:54 AM
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Default Seat belts

I have replacement seat belts for my 73. My car has been apart for so long, I forget how the original shoulder belt was routed. In the assembly manual, I see it going through the seat. There is no hole in my seat for the shoulder belt. Was it done differently, or should I somehow fabricate an opening in the seat?
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Old Sep 27, 2015 | 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Franks73
I have replacement seat belts for my 73. My car has been apart for so long, I forget how the original shoulder belt was routed. In the assembly manual, I see it going through the seat. There is no hole in my seat for the shoulder belt. Was it done differently, or should I somehow fabricate an opening in the seat?
Do you have separate lap and shoulder belts?




Last edited by Paul L; Sep 27, 2015 at 09:25 AM.
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Old Sep 27, 2015 | 08:26 PM
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Slot in the seat on my 73 coupe for belt to pass through.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 02:18 AM
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Is your car a convertible? Because shoulder belts were not standard in 1973 convertibles, the seat back would not have the pass thru for the belt.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 02:52 AM
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Parts are available to convert your seats to having the belt opening. But, it's a real PITA! You have to disassemble most of the seat to make that change. It might be easier to adapt a belt retainer to the top or side of the seatback.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 04:54 AM
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Default Seat belts

Originally Posted by paul 74
Do you have separate lap and shoulder belts?



It did originally, but there is no slot for the shoulder belt to pass through. The seats need to be redone, guess I can create an opening then.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 04:57 AM
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Default Seat belts

Originally Posted by vettz73
Is your car a convertible? Because shoulder belts were not standard in 1973 convertibles, the seat back would not have the pass thru for the belt.
T-tops. And I think the seat upholstery is original.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 04:59 AM
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Default Seat belt

[QUOTE=7T1vette;1590584126]Parts are available to convert your seats to having the belt opening. But, it's a real PITA! You have to disassemble most of the seat to make that change. It might be easier to adapt a belt retainer to the top or side of the seatback.[/QU Seats need to be recovered, guess I can make the change then. Thanks for responding.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 08:19 AM
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IF you have the slot in the seatframe these are the parts you need.






Last edited by Paul L; Sep 28, 2015 at 08:23 AM.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 03:41 PM
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One caution about seat belts: Buy the best there is. We got the second best and regret the fit and how they work. Always struggle getting in and they don't look stock.

Buy OEM type belts. Probably $200 difference but worth it.
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Old Sep 29, 2015 | 05:12 PM
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Default Seat belts

Originally Posted by minitech
One caution about seat belts: Buy the best there is. We got the second best and regret the fit and how they work. Always struggle getting in and they don't look stock.

Buy OEM type belts. Probably $200 difference but worth it.
You are so right! I bought mine years ago compiling parts. They fit terribly! Had to modify the heck out of them. Might end up tossing them, and getting better ones that I do not think were available years ago. Thanks for the input.
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Old Sep 29, 2015 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by minitech
One caution about seat belts: Buy the best there is. We got the second best and regret the fit and how they work. Always struggle getting in and they don't look stock.

Buy OEM type belts. Probably $200 difference but worth it.
I would love to know where these better replacements are. I purchased the "OEM Type" from Corvettemods last year and I am quite disappointed in their quality. The molded parts are painted and not produced in color; the paint started flaking off within a week of installation! The shoulder belt to lap belt connection is so loose that it often becomes disconnected when hitting bumps in the road; not very safe at all! These were the more expensive OEM sets and are not even close to what the factory installed originally!
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Old Sep 29, 2015 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Ontario73
I would love to know where these better replacements are. I purchased the "OEM Type" from Corvettemods last year and I am quite disappointed in their quality. The molded parts are painted and not produced in color; the paint started flaking off within a week of installation! The shoulder belt to lap belt connection is so loose that it often becomes disconnected when hitting bumps in the road; not very safe at all! These were the more expensive OEM sets and are not even close to what the factory installed originally!
Google Andover.
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Old Sep 29, 2015 | 10:23 PM
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Also check out Seat Belts Plus, made in Jupiter FL. Haven't ordered mine yet, plan on calling them first to verify what I will get.
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Old Sep 30, 2015 | 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by paul 74
Do you have separate lap and shoulder belts?



Always loved the red w/Red interior. White Top?
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Old Sep 30, 2015 | 07:25 PM
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No, black Haartz cloth.

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