68 seat belts

[Rob Griffith]

Looking for help on how the buckle strap comes around the carpet (should I cut the carpet). Also the thread size of the three bolts that hold the seat belt guides on (door side). Is there a source with this info?You can e-mail at bgriffit@mciu.org

[Chuck G.]

Re: 68 seat belts

I THINK.(all caps!!) that your 68 is like the 69. The seat belt anchors to a central bolt under the seat. It runs laterally outward, and goes under and through the seat belt guide. I BELIEVE that you must slit your carpet to allow the seat belt to come through. I'm not certain if all or any 68's use the vinyl seat belt grommet to protect the belt where it comes through the slit in the carpet. Not sure of the bolt and thread sizes. DON'T CUT THE CARPET ON MY ADVICE...PLEASE!!!! Others with more knowledge of the unique 68's might elaborate. Chuck

[Tom B.]

Re: 68 seat belts

Rob,

To add to Chuck's information, it is OK to slit your carpet. But the slit on my 68 carpet is only about 3" long and does NOT go all the way to the end / edge of carpet at the door jamb. Make sure you have enough carpet to continue under the sill plate, which holds it down and in place. The slit carpet is not really "gaping" open.

The size of my 3 hex head bolts that hold the metal protector plate / guide to the inside body wall (just below and inside the sill under the carpet) are 7/16-16. From what I remember those three were identical and about 1" long. They were sort of "stubby" so as to not run into any interference on the other side with the frame. Also, if I remember correctly, it was the seat belt anchor bolt under the seat that was a larger diameter with a little finer thread, but right off hand don't remember it's size. TBarr #24014

[Rob Griffith]

Re: 68 seat belts

Tom and Chuck thanks, I'm also looking for what to do with the buckle side strap (console). The car is an early 68 and after looking at Vette Vues it seams there was either a rubber or plastic guide for the belt on the door jam side that covers the 3" slit. Any idea if this is correct and if so where can I find these parts.

[Tom B.]

Re: 68 seat belts

Rob,

If you're referring page 49 and the photo which says it's from car #13818, then yes, that special elongated grommet for the seat belt slit in the carpet would be correct. As far as I know, those are unique to the 1968 Corvette and the early ones only at that. Bearing that in mind, and unless someone else knows differently, then I do not believe any reproductions have ever been made. To find any, you might begin somewhere that specializes in selling original parts, such as Paragon Vintage. You'll probably need the luck of winning the lottery to find just one.

Additionally, I'm not sure I understand what you may need to do with the buckle strap at the console. If you're referring to the carpeting there, then mine has just enough of a slit to lay the carpet smooth around the anchor bolt. But when observed, the large metal end of the strap covers too much of anything to see what was done. TBarr #24014

[Chuck G.]

Re: 68 seat belts

If your car uses the so called "carpet grommet", they are not reproduced. They are very tough to find, as the originals were stapled to the original carpet, and many were tossed out when the carpet was replaced. After scrounging the flea markets for a year or more, I located several. They are vinyl, color coded to the carpet. They can easily be "dyed" with vinyl spray to match any color. I had one spare that I sold to one of our BB participants. They are fairly big....bigger than 3 inches. The part you see above the carpet is 6 to 7 inches long by about 2 inches wide. The part under the carpet, that you don't see is larger yet. This grommet fits through the carpet, like a dimmer switch grommet. I'm really not sure if any/all 68's use this part. Others might elaborate, but I will say that they are tough to locate. Many don't know that they belong there. Chuck

[Rob Griffith]

Re: 68 seat belts

Once again thanks Tom and Chuck. Tom, before I cut the carpet at the console, if I understand correctly the buckle mounting plate and nut are on the outside of the carpet.

[Tom B.]

Re: 68 seat belts

Rob,

At the console, all you need is the smallest of slits (if any) to allow the anchor bolt to come through. It may be possible for you to not have to slit the carpet since I haven't seen all that many. The flat metal end of the strap, the anchor bolt, and nut are on the outside. Do not make any large slits or alterations to hide those behind the carpet. TBarr #24014

[Gene M.]

Re: 68 seat belt carpet slits

Rob, From the posting given the slit carpet without a boot agree with what was originally in my 68. It is an early four thousand serial number and the interior is dark blue. Ive owned the car since 71. Interior color selection on early cars may have a determination on the presents of boots or not, I never really researched it out. Just to many odd ball stuff on 68's. Another interesting point is the original carpet color was the same as 67 teal carpet color.