Question: Seat belts on 1961

[Rob V.]

Hi--

Were seatbelts available for the 1961 Corvettes??? If so, were they standard or optional equipment??? (I am considering purchasing a 1961, and cannot locate the seatbelts).

Thanks in advance for your helpful responses!

[Rick A.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

Believe 1968 was first year where it was MANDATORY for all seat positions in a car to have a seat belt

[Mike M.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

rick is incorrect. all 61 vets were equipped with factory seat belts. mike

[Rob V.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

Thank you Mike!!! Guess I will have to get some seatbelts...

Best Regards,
Rob

[Tracy C.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

Seat belts factory installed in all 58 and later Corvettes.

[Rob V.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

Thanks as well Tracy!!!

Rob

[Rick A.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

Mike,

I stated they became MANDATORY in 1968 - do NOT believe they were federally mandated in 1961, but were available

[Rick A.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

from Wikipedia - the first seat belt law was a federal law which took effect on January 1, 1968 that required all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts in all designated seating positions. This law has since been modified to require three-point seat belts in outboard seating positions, and finally three-point seat belts in all seating positions. Initially, seat belt use was not compulsory. New York was the first state to pass a law which required vehicle occupants to wear seat belts, a law that came into effect on December 1, 1984.

[Rick A.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

So, seat belts were STANDARD on 1961 Corvettes and NOT an OPTION? Did not think seat belts became STANDARD on Corvette until 1963 model year?

In other words, you could order a Corvette without seat belts until 1963 model year if you so desired? I am not sure any were ordered that way, just didn't think they were standard until 1963.

And, then I believe for ALL passenger cars/trucks/vehicles except for buses it was MANDATORY that every seat position needed to have seat belts in the 1968 model year. And, then commercial vehicles followed long after, with buses still not compliant.

[Mike E.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

To go back to the OP's question. They were standard in 1961. That began in 1958. They were not an extra-cost option. All 1958-up Corvettes were to be from the factory with seat belts. There is a bolt through the floor (part of the underbody reinforcement on the inboard side. On the outboard side was a bracket that bolted to the underseat reinforcement and had an eye through it. The hambones for the seatbelt assembly attached to these four pieces. The belts were interior color in 61.

[Rick A.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

Mike,

Thank you. Was thinking my Father ordered his 1959 Corvette without seat belts, but could be massive CRS!

I "think" they were an OPTION and you could get a "Credit" if you did not order. Similar to when people state "radio delete", but really was NOT ORDERED and you got a credit. Think 1963 was first year where seat belt choice was NOT available, it was STANDARD and came on ALL Corvettes.

[Rob V.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

Thanks to all who helped answer my question! I purchased the car; and the dealer is installing "seat belts" as we speak.

Rob

[John H.]

Re: Question: Seat belts on 1961

Mike,

Thank you. Was thinking my Father ordered his 1959 Corvette without seat belts, but could be massive CRS!

I "think" they were an OPTION and you could get a "Credit" if you did not order. Similar to when people state "radio delete", but really was NOT ORDERED and you got a credit. Think 1963 was first year where seat belt choice was NOT available, it was STANDARD and came on ALL Corvettes.

Rick -

There was no choice, and no credit - seat belts were standard equipment in 1958 (never before available from the factory), and stayed that way.