C3 '76 Shoulder belts - replacement...

[Don Becker #41636]

I just purchased a 1976 coupe and have some seatbelt questions.

1. The belts in the car are lap only and obviously not original. The belt with the button is on the middle (away from the door). Is this right? I'm a smaller guy and the adjustment for the belt is almost at the bottom of the door.

2. The car originally had shoulder belts and still has the retractor covers in the car. Does anyone have a suggestion of something I could get from a yard or somewhere cheaper than the catalogs? As far as I can tell, I need the retractor and the belts, and the catalogs look expensive.

3. Would it be safe to use the belts from a yard?

Thanks,

-Don

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 '76 Shoulder belts - replacement...

(1) Buckle (female portion of belt) was installed on the trans tunnel while clasp (male portion) was installed toward the door.

(2) Nothing will fit/work like Corvette designed original belts, but you can probably come up with a 'jury rig' solution from scrap yard cars.

(3) Scrapyard donor belts will be OK to the extent they've not seen significant weathering and the fabric + stitching is in good condition.

[Mike R.]

Re: C3 '76 Shoulder belts - replacement...

Don

Jack has a good point on the belts. Junk yards are fine if the condition is OK. An alternative is to get the hardware from a junk yard or other sources and go to someone like www.ssnake-oyl.com, and have them replace the belts. They did mine, reinstalled the original labels (which were OK) and I had no problem with Top Flight regional. There are other sources that probably just as good.

Mike

[Don Becker #41636]

Thanks for the response Mike,

but I'm just looking for something for my driver, just want them to look clean and match the interior. Guess I'll have to break down and pay up, can't always get something for nothing!

[Harmon C.]

Re: Thanks for the response Mike,

Don The corvette scrap yards should have a supply of belts out of 76's at less money than new. Is their one near you that you could visit? 74-76 coupe belts may be the same also. Lyle

[Reba Whittington]

Re: C3 '76 Shoulder belts - replacement...

Don, beginning in 1974, coupes had lap and shoulder belts as an integral unit, not separate items. They met on a common D-ring and had a retractor at the rear of the outboard seat back.

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 '76 Shoulder belts - replacement...

Might try www.contemporarycorvettes.com and see if they have what you are looking for. Contemporaty Corvettes sells used parts from dismantled Corvettes and also some new parts.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 '76 Shoulder belts - replacement...

They had a retractor under the seat also. Lyle