Question RE: 1968 restoration
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Question RE: 1968 restoration
Greetings,
I am in the middle of a complete restoration of a '68 L-36 coupe that had several missing components when I received it. One thing missing were all of the seat belts. Here's the question: Did 68's come from the factory with retracting seat belts? Will '67 seat belts (w/ retractors) work for '68? Any help in this regard is much appreciated.
John
I am in the middle of a complete restoration of a '68 L-36 coupe that had several missing components when I received it. One thing missing were all of the seat belts. Here's the question: Did 68's come from the factory with retracting seat belts? Will '67 seat belts (w/ retractors) work for '68? Any help in this regard is much appreciated.
John
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Medford, Or
I'm in the process of a body-off '68 roaster restoration. I'm converting a 2000 LS1/4L60e power plant along with other mods. I beleive the '67 pan is the same as the '68. The '67 pan was changed to accept the TH350 transmission. The C3 was supposed to be released in '67 but as we all know it never happened. The '68 & '69 seat belts were not retracting. If you had shoulder strap option it was retracting.
Someone correct me if I'm incoorect about my facts.
Dan
www.vetteworksonline.com
Someone correct me if I'm incoorect about my facts.
Dan
www.vetteworksonline.com
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
The black book lists option A85 as Custom Shoulder Belts(std with Coupe) available for 68. 350 shoulder belts installed for $26.35 ea.
My 68 Vert came with lap only belts which are non retractable.
Don't think you could order them without belts.
My 68 Vert came with lap only belts which are non retractable.
Don't think you could order them without belts.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
There have been many discussions about 68 seatbelts - retractors or not. I think the NCRS book says some belts had them and some were bolted directly to the floor without retractors. I am not sure if it is one of those early/late things or which way was early and which is late. If you have a coupe I guess it is not a super early car.
Some people think they do not have retractors but they are actually hidden underneath the carpet and frozen up so they don't retract.
Some people think they do not have retractors but they are actually hidden underneath the carpet and frozen up so they don't retract.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,380
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
1968 Corvette Convertible SB: Manufactured in March of 1968. Non-retractable seat belts. Note that the 1968's had a center parking brake console with built-in slots (pockets) in which to place the seat belt clips if you wanted to drive without them. (In 1968 a lot of people didn't want to use seat belts.)
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
I have a mid-year '68 with a blend of early AND late features. I have (had) retractors and no shoulder belts. The retractor bolts to the floor under the seats AND carpeting. Mine was rusted badly and the retaining collar/clips were barely visible while the springs were gone...totally. Needless to say, they did not actually retract by the time I got to them!
You guys without retractors...do you have the carpet grommet that the belt passes through?
You guys without retractors...do you have the carpet grommet that the belt passes through?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
I have a 68 coupe with a build date of May 1968. I am second owner having purchased it in 1972 from the original owner who is a personal friend. My car has only lap belts with no retractors and belts were bolted to floor UNDER the carpet. I believe these are the original belts and have not been altered.
