VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Seat Belts

I bought a set for my car from the Filling Station.They are generic,but,they match the interior color and the buckles are chrome,I'll see if I can get a picture of them.They were a breeze to install!Even though these cars originally came without seat belts,I won't travel in a car without them.They have saved my life twice in other cars and I feel there is no reason not to use them.

I purchased the seat belts for my '50 and '57 from J.C.Whitney. I chose gray for both to match the interiors. They are the basic type belts made by a major seat belt manufactor. They have the flip type buckle very similar to what Chevrolet offered in 1956=57. Available in different lengths. Was a bit of a chore threading the belt betweeen the front seat cushio and back rest on the 1950 4 door.
The belts that Chevrolet sold in the '50's had no logo on the buckle.

What year did seat belts become standard equipment?

Did Chevy offer them as an option BEFORE becoming standard equipment?

Thanks,
Bob

They first offered belts as an accessory in late 1955.
The following ay be "off" a little.....going from memory
Could be factory installed option about 1962. Standard equipment in 1966 (law).

Thanks, Gene.

Bob

sat belts were standard equipment in Corvettes starting in at least 1961.mike

1958 Finger-Tip facts-book says belts were now standard for the Corvette.
1962 says standard for cars.
At the dealership where I was employed they deleted the factory belts and we install some cheap krap. For 1962 and up all new cars sold in Wisconsin required belts, and any used car 1962 and later required belts from that point.

I would measure from the mounting point, around a person sitting in the seat and over to the other mounting point. Then add 12"
If I rmember correctly I used the 72" in the front of my '50.
Didn't instasll rears but they would be much shorter because the mount to the floor in a higher area.

[color:#003300]Belts are in, thanks for everyones ideas.[/color]

What length belts did you install?

DrScotti - Can you describe the locations you chose for mounting points on the rear seat belts?

Thanks,
Roger

If you are going with JC Whitney (which I did with my 52 Bel Air Hardtop, the catalog differentiates between front and rear seat belts. Not having the catalog handy, I believe the longer seat belts were for the front. We are very happy with ours, we went with the flip-up latch as well. Keeps the best look for the vintage.
P.S. Just registered and this is my first post.

Barryt5970 - Welcome to the Chevy Chat site. I have a 50 Bel Air and have the same style belts. Can you describe the locations you chose for mounting points on the rear seat belts?

Thanks,
Roger

I had my mechanic install them. He reinforced the floor at the mounting points as a "just in case". Belt mounting points go straight back and down to the floor, keeping in mind that you don't use one bolt for two belts. Can't wait to get back on the road in the spring.

I just got a pair of 71 GM push button belts that look brand new for my 54 Bel Air and will be trying to figure where and how to mount them. I also am going to try and install a set in my 31 and 33 but will probably have to attach them to a cross member or ??? since the sheet metal floor is rather thin. Any Ideas?

hoppy

I just crawled under my 52 and found that, for the front seat belts, my mechanic drill the mounting holes through a crossbeam approximately where the back of the front seat it. He put the bolts through, and used LARGE washers to help distribute and possible stresses that may occur in the event of a collision. Washers were about two inches across. For the rear seat belts he drilled through the floor just to the back of the seat and used the large washers as well. That part of the floor was very solid (his words), and there should be no issues. Hope this helps.

Thanks BARRY, It looks like I`ll have to get creative when the time comes.

hoppy

I thought this may come in handy. It's for a 55 but it gives you a good idea for the installation.
http://www.julianos.com/how2_55chev.html
later, bill

BILL-Thanks very much for all the pictures, they are great. I was given a set of GM belts(push button) they were from a 1971 two door and they are going to be too short for my 54 Bel Air 4 door. The retractable side is less than 2 feet, so they can`t be mounted on floor and then the pillar and the other half of the belt is too short also and since the seat material is going to have to be cut to allow the belt to be bolted at the drive shaft tunnel and then be fed up between the cushions and they will still be too short even for lap belts. I`m not too crazy about cutting these slots in perfectly good seats. I really do like the shoulder harnes with the retractable belt but I will have to find some that are the proper length. Maybe this week end I can sit in the seat and try to figure out exactly how long they need to be and then remove the front bench seat and determine if a slot can be sewn in. The rear belts should not be a problem.

hoppy