Topic: Optional Shoulder Belts
in Forum: C3 Interior
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Shoulder Belts were an option in 74 and my vette did not come with them. I am considering adding them but it requires a slot in the upper seat back to pass the belt through. Has anyone had any experience adding the slot to an existing seat? The seats are not in that bad of shape and I was not planning on recovering them at this point.
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Lifetime MemberCOPPERAS COVE, TX - USA
Joined: 7/6/2002
Posts: 417
Vette(s): 1972 corvette stingray convertible
2007 coupe
I did my 72, it was no problem to do when I put on the new covers, I had to buy the pass through trim for the seat back but that was all. The hole for the mounting bolt was already in the wheel well. You may have to get some trim panals if they are different.
Thanks I found the trim pieces online for the front of the seat upright but cannot figure out how the shoulder belt exits out the back. Did your new seat covers come with an exit slot on the back side of the front seat upright?
With a slight cut in you cover and a bezel kit I bet you could do it. Make sure you work the belt clasp through the bezel pieces before putting them together. It is kind of a beech to work the clasp through the holes. The links to C.C. are the parts I used when I recovered my seats.
|UPDATED|10/22/2012 7:50:11 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
I have a 74 with the shoulder belt option and the belt does not go through the seat....it comes from the rear retractor to a slotted bracket fastened to the panel between the door opening and the rear window. Is my set up original? It seems to be. Different shoulder belt options 
My belts have 2 retractors, 1 under seat and one on rear fender well panel. My belt set up look like what is in the link from MAM.
|UPDATED|10/22/2012 8:09:54 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
My belts have 2 retractors, 1 under seat and one on rear fender well panel. My belt set up look like what is in the link from MAM.
|UPDATED|10/22/2012 8:09:54 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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DanT
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
All coupes('74s) came with shoulder belts as standard equipment. Convertible harnesses were optional for a long time...don't remember off-hand when they became standard.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Adams' Apple said: All coupes('74s) came with shoulder belts as standard equipment. Convertible harnesses were optional for a long time...don't remember off-hand when they became standard.
Duh...
,,,didn't notice it was a convertible! DanT
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Ya...since convertibles don't have the side pillars, the belts go thru the seat backs.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
Only 618 of the 74 Verts had that option of the shoulder belts. Guess they figured if your car was going to flip, keeping your shoulder in place was the least of your concerns... 
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
2014216132127r.jpg)
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
At that time, the Gub-ment hadn't yet decided that the common man(or woman) was just too stoopid to be trusted with the responsibility of their own safety....thus them being "optional" equipment on the convertibles. Strange thing is, a coupe is safer in a rollover than the topless car, yet the coupes had them as standard equipment....
Eventually, tho, the Gub-ment finally decided we WERE too stoopid for our own gud, and mandated seat/shoulderbelts on ALL cars....and then demanded that we actually USE them....
Eventually, tho, the Gub-ment finally decided we WERE too stoopid for our own gud, and mandated seat/shoulderbelts on ALL cars....and then demanded that we actually USE them....
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Interior
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