66 seat belt storage bracket

[Harry Holzke]

My 66 does not have the seat belt storage bracket, does anyone know when this item started to be installed in the production year?

[Donald T.]

Re: 66 seat belt storage bracket

Harry,

If you are referring to the brackets on the arm rest, these were introduced in the 65 model year. Your 66 should have them. The 65 version was a solid plate, and was changed in 66 with the addition of the square hole to act as a receiver for the latch.

[Dennis B.]

Re: 66 seat belt storage bracket

My 66 Coupe does not have the seatbelt retainer either. I have had the car since 1972. I know it could have been removed before that but I see no evidence that it was ever there.

[Peter M.]

Re: 66 seat belt storage bracket

If you push back your center armrest cushion just behind the console you will most likely see evidence of two screw holes in the rear of the console where the seat belt retainer bracket was originally affixed.

[Dennis B.]

Re: 66 seat belt storage bracket

I'll take a look. But my console in that area showed no scratches or wear. Perhaps the original owner had a third passenger at times that didn't want to sit on it!!!!!!!!!!

[Michael H.]

Re: 66 seat belt storage bracket

Harry,

As others have mentioned, all 65 and 66 Corvettes were originally delivered with the seat belt retainer that fastened to the rear of the center console.

There were two different designs. The first was used through the 65 model year and into the first three months of the 66 model year. On AIM date 11-24-65, the first design 3860545 retainer was replaced with the 2nd desigh 3897385. This new design had a few minor changes, including the addition of the two square holes used to "lock" the belt buckles in position on the retaine.

My 66 was assembled just days before this date and still has it's original 1st design retainer.

The most likely reason some 65-66 cars lack the holes in the console for the bracket is the fact that the entire console was probably replaced at some time in the cars life. The 65-66 part number was discontinued not long after the end of 66 production and from that time on, the parts book listed the 67 console as the replacement for all 64-67's However, the 67 console did not have the same system used for the seat belt retainer so it didn't have the mounting holes.