1972 C3 vette -- Safety first ???
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12
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1972 C3 vette -- Safety first ???
Hi --
Being the newly proud owners of a 1972 C3 vette (great shape, but intended to be a driver, not a 100% original showpiece), two questions for the group are what you recommend for:
1) Headlights appear rather dim; has anyone had success with modern (halogen?) bulbs having the same size lens ? Where to buy ?
2) Suz72vette has only lap belts, and previous owner had the bucket seats redone so there's no longer any open slot behind the driver's neck for the factory-style shoulder belts to pass through. Is it possible to anchor shoulder belts to the structure behind the door (high over the driver's left shoulder, and passenger's right shoulder) ? Suz72vette is a coupe, with T-tops, if that helps.
Thanks in advance,
Suzanne and Jim
Being the newly proud owners of a 1972 C3 vette (great shape, but intended to be a driver, not a 100% original showpiece), two questions for the group are what you recommend for:
1) Headlights appear rather dim; has anyone had success with modern (halogen?) bulbs having the same size lens ? Where to buy ?
2) Suz72vette has only lap belts, and previous owner had the bucket seats redone so there's no longer any open slot behind the driver's neck for the factory-style shoulder belts to pass through. Is it possible to anchor shoulder belts to the structure behind the door (high over the driver's left shoulder, and passenger's right shoulder) ? Suz72vette is a coupe, with T-tops, if that helps.
Thanks in advance,
Suzanne and Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Re: 1972 C3 vette -- Safety first ??? (suz72vette)
Hi and congrats on your Vette purchase. I have a 72 coupe and have replaced the headlights with after market halogens . . .no problem, much , much, brighter. This is an easy project. On the belt issue, you can cut out the hole or slot for the shoulder belts to pass through. I had the same deal and cut out the slots. But it is still a hassle to use the shoulder belts, compared to any car produced from 1990 on. I just use the lap belts, too hard to connnect the lap and shoulder belts!!!
Best of luck
Mark
Florida :steering:
Best of luck
Mark
Florida :steering:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 12,975
Likes: 22
Re: 1972 C3 vette -- Safety first ??? (suz72vette)
Dim headlights may be a result of an alternator going bad, a bad voltage regulator or a loose alternator belt. The seat belt description is exactly what Chevrolet did starting in 74 or 75. I am not sure you can retro-fit that setup in a 72. You might be able to attach a shoulder belt guide, like the ones on a Camaro bucket seat, the later years. I have a pair of Camaro buckets and that is how the shoulder belt in routed. I had a 72 and I have kicked myself everyday since trading it in on a 90 vert. Oh well, maybe one of these days I will own one again. Congrats on your purchase. :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Re: 1972 C3 vette -- Safety first ???
Thanks Mark and sd' ...
Good idea to have the electrical system checked out first - will do
Are those "after market halogens" available anywhere, or is this something one must order from a Corvette specialty / custom supply source ? Any suggestions, and/or (if generally available) a particular "brand" to look for that worked well for you ?
Regarding shoulder belts, from a safety standpoint (i.e., behavior during a collision, heaven forbid) is it better to have the belt anchored to the rear deck and looped through/over the seat (or through/over a pully to the structure behind the door, -or- simply anchor the belt to the structure behind the door ?
Other forum threads have highlighted the Camaro approach ... will need to investigate this further.
Thanks again !
Suzanne & Jim
Good idea to have the electrical system checked out first - will do
Are those "after market halogens" available anywhere, or is this something one must order from a Corvette specialty / custom supply source ? Any suggestions, and/or (if generally available) a particular "brand" to look for that worked well for you ?
Regarding shoulder belts, from a safety standpoint (i.e., behavior during a collision, heaven forbid) is it better to have the belt anchored to the rear deck and looped through/over the seat (or through/over a pully to the structure behind the door, -or- simply anchor the belt to the structure behind the door ?
Other forum threads have highlighted the Camaro approach ... will need to investigate this further.
Thanks again !
Suzanne & Jim
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: 1972 C3 vette -- Safety first ??? (suz72vette)
On the 72 Vettes there is a rear bolt hole already there for the shoulder harness. I have installed a set of late model Camaro belts in mine. They have to be from the rear seats. These work great and I feel much more secure in the car. I just have them going over the side of the seat. I am not that tall (5'7") so it fits me fine. The headlights I put in are just standard repalcement Halagon bulbs that are available anywhere. They are much brighter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Re: 1972 C3 vette -- Safety first ??? (suz72vette)
Re the headlights, I used a Sylvania or Phillips??? Not sure, but I got the set of 4 from a auto parts retailer. . . Auto Zone, big in the South East US. I would think the Kmarts and Walmarts would also stock them. There are several grades on the market and if you have an Ecklers or a Midwext Corvette catalog you will see. Some are expensive and make a lot of claims. I question the value of the more expensive lights. In my case the car is a "driver", not a daily driver, not out too much at night and never in the rain!!! Easy to instal and no mods required.
In another thread someone mentioned to ck the wiring or electrical system that is an excellent suggestion. Could have bad ground, some poor connections or a weak headlight relay. Check the voltage with a meter at the headlight plug.
Best of Luck :steering:
Mark
In another thread someone mentioned to ck the wiring or electrical system that is an excellent suggestion. Could have bad ground, some poor connections or a weak headlight relay. Check the voltage with a meter at the headlight plug.
Best of Luck :steering:
Mark
