'69 convertible shoulder belts, questions

[Steven C.]

I know that shoulder belts in convertibles were quite rare in '69. I have some specific questions...I couldn't find anything in the AIM with any detail.

1. Did the convertibles use the same retractors, retractor covers, and belts as the coupes?

2. Where were the retractors attached, and how (brackets, bolt plates...).

3. Is the attachment hardware available, and was it functionally equivalent to any other later years?

4. Does anyone have any pictures (or scanned pages from the top-secret "real" AIM I've heard about), that shows '69 convertible shoulder belt retractor mounting?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

[Mark #28455]

Re: '69 convertible shoulder belts, questions

1) yes

2) same as coupes - used a steel sheet bracket riveted to the underside of the body

3) Maybe from Paragon - page 114 or 115 I think in the C3 catalog

4) No, but if you're coming to Orlando, let me know, you can look at my unrestored L89 convert with shoulder belts.

Mark

[Steven C.]

Re: '69 convertible shoulder belts, questions

Thanks, Mark. Reba Whittington suggested that the plate might be there, even if not originally equipped...I still need to check.

I'm near Gainesville, and do get down that way infrequently. I plan on going to Old Town in January, I'll make contact with you before that.

Can you generally describe where to start looking for that plate? Can it be seen from underneath the car, body-on?

Regards,

Steve

PS: An unrestored L89 convertible sounds like a great car...I look forward to seeing it. Mine is an L71, black w/blue interior.

[Jack H.]

Re: '69 convertible shoulder belts, questions

Shoulder harness retractor bolted behind the rear quarter trim panel to the forward, outside section of the rear wheel well body segment. You ought to be able to see part of the reinforcement plate by looking inside the rear wheel wells as, if memory serves, the outer edge of the plate extends beyond the frame rail. Check out your copy of the AIM where the seat belts are being installed (UPC 1, Section F) and you'll see the retractors being installed (the convertible 'mirror' of the shoulder belt retractors, Option A85, is non-illustrated because it's already depicted for the base coupe...

[Steven C.]

Thanks Jack! *NM*