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After being in a wreck without seat belts as a child, I'm a firm believer in them. I ordered some sample material to help decide on the color of the belts, and soon I'll need to figure out how to install them in my '41 special deluxe coupe. To fasten the lap belts for the front seat, I noticed a re-inforcing rib on the underside that runs across the body about where the belts should be fastened. It looks like drilling 4 holes through the floorboard and that rib would be my strongest bet for fastening the lap belts for the front seat. Any thoughts?
I would also like to install a pair in the rear seat as well, but I don't see an easy place for them to be fastened. Has anyone already done this and can advise?
Thanks,
Sid
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Sometimes when I ask a question and get no response I wonder if my question has offended someone, and in this case, I have that same thought. I hate to drill holes in the perfectly good floorboard of a nicely restored car, but I know of no other way to install seat belts. Seat belts were not original equipment, but a car without them could be a death trap for me and my family. I have already driven this car to a car show 100 miles away, and I plan to tour many more miles in it. Has anybody already installed seat belts in a late thirties or forties Chevrolet coupe? If so, were you able to install them for the back seat as well?
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http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_41/41cp168.htmlIf you and your family are really going the ride/drive in your old car ,it would have to be connected to someplace on the frame. Hooking up to sheetmetal or wood wouldn't help much. I'd forget about the judging points. If you or your family go thru the windshield ....points will be the LAST thing on your mind.
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I haven't done it but I think I have seen comments on seat belts on here before. I sure don't see why your question would have offended anyone. Some one who has done it may reply yet.
Ed
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When I put seat belts in mt 1950 I first figured out how the belt would pass thru the cushion/back rest. For the inner belt I then went straight down to the floor at that point and drilled the hole next to the center hump. For the outer belt I drilled the hole to the side of the seat and kept it inline with the inner belt. Then I measured from the floor and around my body and back to the floor for lenghth making it about a foot longer for belt length choice.
While lap belts are OK for some accidents they can also be almost dangerous if a frontal crash as the body jack knifes forword and and can cause serious spinal injury.
Gene Schneider
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I'm not sure and don't have my car judged but it seems like I have read that seat belts do not get a points deduction? Maybe some of the Judges will comment.
Ed
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Backyard Mechanic
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I have a '40 that I installed seat belts in back in 1964. The seat belt installation kit came with 5/16 bolts and a 2 1/2 inch body washer to be used beneath the floor panel with no further instructions. The '40 has the same cross reinforcement you talk about and I drilled through that and used the big flat washers. I have not installed seat belts in the back seat but the same procedure should work. Not sure of where you can find washers that big. The last time I installed the seat belts I used squares of plating the same width as the reinforcement beneath the floor board.
Mike
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Seat belts are considered a safety item and points are not supposed to be deducted.
Gene Schneider
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Squares are good...! You guys are giving me the "willies" again...lol
...Lets just hope we never need those seat-belts...! But we've got them just in case...
Last edited by kevin47; 01/13/12 12:32 PM.
1947 Fleetmaster Sport Coupe VCCA # 47475
If it's not wearing a Bowtie...It's not properly dressed...!
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Does that include turning signals?
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Sid,
I don't have a '41 so can't comment on specifics. In most cases even modern vehicles the seat belt anchors are attached through the floor boards or door posts. As long as the bolt has a big enough plate or washer to not pull out and spreads the load over a large area of the floor you should be okay. Most retrofit seat belt kits come with large washers that are designed to spread the load. If you don't think they are big enough get a small piece of steel plate to put under the floor.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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Yes, it includes turn signals.
Gene Schneider
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Down here the seat belt anchorage points require a minimum 4sq" of 1/8" plate on the opposite of the body to the belt (under the floor or outside the door pillar) and 1/2" bolt. Child restraint are 5/16" bolt but still need the 4sq" plate and most (but not required) also utilize the standard seat belt as well.
Tony
1938 1/2 ton Hope to drive it before I retire
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Thanks for the advice fellas. I'll crawl under it soon and figure out where I can put the rear belts.
Sid
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