Early 69 Seat belt reinforcements....

[Chris Hause]

I need some help with the correct installation of the outboard seat belt reinforcements. The car is an early 69 roadster (#3220) and I need to know do the outboard reinforcements rest on top of the carpet or are they installed first before the carpet set is installed?

The reinforcements are chromed and it appears(?) that the belts exit at the top alongside of the sill plates on the outside of the carpet. Can this be right with the seat belts installed on top of the carpet? I find this confusing as some later models have a 'grommet' in the carpet below the sill plates along the rocker beside the seat. Can anyone help? thanx!

[Michael R.]

Re: Early 69 Seat belt reinforcements....

Chris, my '69 (Jan 20, 69 build date) has plastic ones integrated into the carpet. Haven't seen the chrome ones before. For what it's worth, Mike

[Chuck G.]

Re: Early 69 Seat belt reinforcements....

Hi Chris. The reinforcement goes under the carpet. As I recall there are 3 bolts that line up with the 3 holes in the floorboard/sill area. The seatbelt mounts in the middle, under the seat. The seatbelt goes under the reinforcement. It then comes through the carpet. The carpet grommet goes into the carpet. The reinforcement shouldn't be chrome...should be that green/black phosphate like the hood hardware. Also, seems that I remember that there is a difference between 68 and 69 reinforcements/guides. I don't believe that any were chrome plated as they were under the carpet. Sounds like somebody chrome plated yours. Hope this helps. Chuck

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Early 69 Seat belt reinforcements....

Hi Chris:

As Chuck has said, I've had a bunch of 69s, no chrome to be found on this part, early or late.

Best of Luck.

jer

[Bill Dangora]

Re: Early 69 Seat belt reinforcements....

I've only seen the chrome reinforcements on the two 69 vettes that I've owned. Bill

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Early 69 Seat belt reinforcements....

Hi Bill:

This is starting to become interesting. It would seem to me that three pair of chromed, basically unseen pieces, might not be something the average owner would do as a cosmetic "improvement", as a rust deterrent, possibly but it still looks unusual to me. Any others out there who have observed this condition ?

jer

[Michael R.]

Re: Early 69 Seat belt reinforcements....

Whoops! Misread the post..thought we were talking about the grommets. Mine are the greenish phospate style mounted underneath as well. Jerry...This isn't the Jerry from Srping Hill with the black '69 tripower is it? STW, Mike

[Larry Sherman]

Re: Early 69 Seat belt reinforcements....

I have a mid April '68 that I'e owned since 1973, have restored a June '68 conv. and both had the chrome version. I also have in my parts collection a chrome set from an early '69 I parted out years ago.

Larry

[Don O'Connell #33101]

Mike, that be THE Jerry (ntx).

[Michael R.]

Re: Mike, that be THE Jerry (ntx).

Just wondering. We run into each other(not literally, at least:-)) at car shows around Tampa. STW, Mike

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Mike, that be THE Jerry (ntx).

Okay Mike:

I can remember a car for years but forget a name as soon as I shake a guys hand, Please describe your car so I know which Mike, ( Gold? ), I'm talkin to.

jer

[Michael R.]

Re: Mike, that be THE Jerry (ntx).

That be me! '69 Riverside Gold ragtop. Think we saw you and Marty at the Tarpon CC show about a month ago! Finally bit the bullet and joined NCRS. The $30 is well worth it. See you soon. Mike Riley

[Sal C.]

Re: Early 69 Seat belt reinforcements....

Have parted out quite a few 68 and 69s and all I've ever seen have been chrome plated. Possibly later 69s were un-plated when GM finaly realized you could'nt see them.