68 Seat Belt Question

[Kurt B.]

As regards the belts that are mounted to the floor on each side of the transmission tunnel where the tunnel intersects the bulkead: What is the correct relationship to the floor carpeting? My new carpet rises from the floor partway up the side of the tunnel and under the emergency brake console, so should I slice the carpet to let the belts pass through or cut the carpet flush with the base of the tunnel?
Aslo, next to the doors, where again the belts pass through the carpet, my old carpet set had oblong vinyl "grommets" or whatever they were called. Where can I buy new ones: I stupidly didn't save the old ones.
Thank you in advance for all input
Kurt # 26406

[Wayne P.]

Re: 68 Seat Belt Question

Just cut a round hole for the inside belt. Your stupidy will cost you a lot of looking at the swap meets. Nobody is making the outer seat belt pass thru.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Seat Belt Question

Kurt and Wayne-----

Yes, the plastic seat belt grommets were once available in SERVICE in the whole range of interior colors. However, all except 1 was discontinued in the mid-1974 to early 1975 period. The last one, the black-colored version, was discontinued in May, 1977. As far as I know, these grommets are not currently reproduced and they are quite difficult to locate. Plus, being a plastic piece with a rather thin cross section, they tend to deteriorate. So, even if you find used ones, just how "presentable" or serviceable they will be is in question.

[Kurt B.]

Thank you for the responses *NM*

[Rich G.]

Re: 68 Seat Belt Question

Joe

I'm probably wrong about this, but I thought I read somewhere (maybe here) that 68 did not use those bezels. I have the JG but not the AIM.

Can you educate me?

Rich Giannotti 38594

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Seat Belt Question

Rich-----

To be honest, I didn't think that 68s used the grommets, either. However, if Kurt removed them from his car, then they must have used them. Also, GM says that they used them for the 1968 model year.

The part numbers for the pieces look like they might have been later-1968 model year issued parts. So, it's possible that earlier 1968s didn't have them, but later ones did.

[Terry F.]

Re: 68 Seat Belt Question

Kurt,

I believe the seat belt anchor plates are attached to the outside of the carpet, not under the carpet on the inboard side. The seatbelt stud comes through the carpet. I believe that is how I found my carpet and seatbelts on my car but that was 15 years ago. So, carpet, then seatbelt anchor for shoulder, then seatbelt anchor for lap belt, then nut. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. Terry

[George D.]

Re: 68 Seat Belt Question

Terry,
FYI
Not sure this helps, but I have an early 69 (built Nov 68) and it has the outer seat belt grommets that pass thru the carpet by the sill plate. Also,the inner seat belt is attached to the stud with carpet between the floor and the belt.

Regards,

George

[Jim T.]

Re: 68 Seat Belt Question

Reference the grommets Kurt removed from his 68. My original owner 68 had them in the original carpeting. My 68 was built in Feb and has red carpeting. I removed the grommets from my original factory installed carpeting but have not installed the grommets in the new installed carpeting. I still have them.

[Terry F.]

Re: 68 Seat Belt Question

That is great info to know that the gromet was being used that late in production. But, I was told also by a guy that not all cars had the gromets and it may have been due to color availability.....that makes things a little harder to figure out. I still have mine (dark blue) and they are very nice in condition. I have run across black one's from time to time. I heard that some chevelle also used them??? Maybe Joe would know. Terry