Tom E.

For safety sake, I'm interested in replacing the standard lap belts with shoulder/lap belts for a '65 Convertible? Difficulty of installation? Drilling the mounting holes? Model or type to buy, & vendor to purchase from? Approximate price? Etc, Etc?

kenEDMUNDS

Call Charlie Santorelli at Seatbelt Sity. 908-719-2354. I have used him many times and his stuff is outstanding and fairly priced.

Tom E.

Thanks, do you know if he has a web page?

JohnZ

Nope, no web page - just call Charlie - great guy to work with.

macdarren

There is a place in CA that makes a custom kit...it does require a hole or two in the fiberglass. I have been considering it myself. It is the same place that does the custom auto sound stereos, but there is some other division that does the belts (same offices)...I think you can just call customautosound.com tell them what you want and they could connect you.

Tom E.

Thanks for the info.
I was a little concerned about ordering seat belts and installing them. Sooooo-after a lot of research and web & catalog searching I think I found what I was looking for(?). I've had generally good luck with Eckler's stuff and in their C-2 Spring/Summer Catalog (page 36) they have a 3-Point Retractable Seat/Shoulder Belt "Harness Retroffit Kit" with downloadable colored photograph installation instructions----so I went ahead & ordered them. So we'll see.........I'll post the results after they are in---if other's are interested.

Rimcrew

Please do. I would like to order this setup, if you are happy with it.

TIA

Eddie Lewis

I installed the kit, and it was easy because the two existing points remained the same, and I just had to drill two holes in the rear fender wells. The only safety addition not in the kit, is a set of cables to hook the rear bolt to the frame, to provide a more rigid support in a crash. I am still looking for that kit.

Rimcrew

Cool, thanks. Would it be possible to post a pic or two??

Paul L

Why would you need the cable? That is for the 40-gallon tank setup.

How much further forward is that rear mount plate than this stock setup? I am considering your project as well.

Paul L

Eddie,
Any pics?

ctjackster

yeah but why not anchor cables at the shoulder attaching points - for the shoulder harness anchors, the cables are exspensive - LICS Cat Section 53, item 07G

Paul L

If you hit something hard enough to pull the anchor plates through the fiberglass I don't know what extra insurance a cable would offer.

Paul L

I have e-mailed Eckler's re the availability of saddle 3-point belts. Apparently they are not now in stock. No reply. If you are happy with them, and they become available, I will order.

ctjackster

Paul, visit an accident scene. A real education.

I ripped the bucket seat in front of me out of the floor once; ripping an anchor plate though some fiberglass ain't nothing. I'd want the cables if it keeps my face off of the steering wheel or my passenger's face off of the grab handle. . . .

Tom E.

I ordered black ones about a week or so ago and did get an e-mail confirmation from Eckler's for delivery this Tuesday..... However, it may be a week or two before I get them installed--Holiday's, etc. But I'll let you know how well I like them & I'll take some pix.
TE.

Sky65

Do you have a pic of the belt buckled with someone in the seat?

Thanks

Paul L

CT,
I haven't see a Corvette accident that bad but I take your point.

Sky,
I am working from my photo archive as my car is in dead winter storage and I won't see it until April. This pic is the best I can do. The shoulder and lap belts are independent systems, each with its own buckle. So essentially you buckle up twice. It's bit of a pain hence the 3-point has some appeal. It would be nice if the 3-point could use the stock rear mounting anchor rather than me drilling another set of holes.

Silver63

Paul, If you look at the Ecklers instructions for a 1968 or1969 it tells you to use the factory locations. 68 shoulder straps are the same length as 67 and bolt to the same plate that is used in 67. The location looks to be in the same place.Find a friends 68 or 69 and measure it.
If it were my car I would try them in the factory location before I drill extra holes.You can always move them later. Clete

Paul L

Clete,
I will look at the 1968-69 instructions. Thanks for that tip. The C2 instructions say to measure 5" back from the inner door trim. That is not very far back. Hence my confusion.

*Edit* - Those instructions do say that the original mount holes can be used. There may be hope.