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Lifetime Member
Send PMLa Quinta, CA - USA
Joined: 3/19/2008
Posts: 53
Vette(s): 1968 convertible, small block, auto, pw, pb, ps, air, 3rd owner CA black plate
I am having my seat belts restored by Ssnake-Oyl. They have my belts now but emailed me with a question regarding retractors..."Do I have them?"
I sent them everything that came off the car and told them that I saw no mention of retractors either in my restoration guide (Richard Prince) or in my AIM, or in my GM corvette parts catalog...
As far as I know, the inboard (female buckle) fits in the console pockets and the outboard (male) side lays next to the seat. According to the resto guide, in '69 a clip was added to the seat for the outboard side, which reinforces that no retractors were used in these early years.
Any '68 owners have any input regarding seat belt retractors? I might as well get it right since it's torn apart!
Many thanks!
Bob
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22720
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
If you have to manually adjust the belts, they have no retractors. In other words, if you click the belt to the latch, and then pull on a part of the webbing to tighten the belt up, it is retractor-less.
I don't think they had auto retractors until the early/mid-'70s...maybe '73.
I think there were some dealer installed, or accessory type retractors that fit on the shoulder harness(if equipped) to help reel them back...Adams' Apple 2008-08-28 16:26:49
I don't think they had auto retractors until the early/mid-'70s...maybe '73.
I think there were some dealer installed, or accessory type retractors that fit on the shoulder harness(if equipped) to help reel them back...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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C
Lifetime Member
Send PMLa Quinta, CA - USA
Joined: 3/19/2008
Posts: 53
Vette(s): 1968 convertible, small block, auto, pw, pb, ps, air, 3rd owner CA black plate
Thanks Adam....confirms my thoughts exactly...
Seems like the folks at Ssnake-oyl should have that down pat...They ask for all of your info, including vin # etc. The tags on the original belts indicate the month/year of manufacture so they are clued into the car pretty well.
Anyway thanks for your two cents, it's always worth more! 
Bob
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6
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]...they have no retractors....[/QUOTE]
6880Mike 2008-08-29 06:26:07
Correct. No retractors on the '68s, and, I agree, I would have expected the Snake-Oyl folks to have known that.
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b
Bob,
I'm curious to know how your belts turn out. I need to get mine redone this winter. Do you just have lap or both lap and shoulder? I just have lap, was wondering on what the approximate cost is.
Thanks,
Tom
Tom
71 454/365 Mulsanne Blue Convertible 
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F
HI THERE
HAVE AN 68 CONV BUILT 67ON OURS ITS EQUIPPED ORIGINALLY WITH RETRACTORS
SO FOR SURE THEY CAME WITH RETRACTORS
REGARDS ANN
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Just for info.......
My '71 has both a lap belt and a shoulder belt. The shoulder belts have retractors. The lap belt can be used by itself (self-adjusting), or with the shoulder belt, which clips into the lap belt "buckle". I think in '71, the retractable shoulder belts were an option.
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b
[QUOTE=Sportivo]Just for info.......
My '71 has both a lap belt and a shoulder belt. The shoulder belts have retractors. The lap belt can be used by itself (self-adjusting), or with the shoulder belt, which clips into the lap belt "buckle". I think in '71, the retractable shoulder belts were an option.
[/QUOTE]
The shoulder belts in 1971 were standard in a coupe (retractors) and an option in a convertible.
TOM
Tom
71 454/365 Mulsanne Blue Convertible
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T
Ann is correct,..............As per the NCRS Judging Manual - "Some early 1968's have retractors on the outboard belt."
Ten15 2008-08-29 11:52:29
My January built '68 does not have retractors on the outboard belt, they just lay there.
Anthony
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C
Lifetime Member
Send PMLa Quinta, CA - USA
Joined: 3/19/2008
Posts: 53
Vette(s): 1968 convertible, small block, auto, pw, pb, ps, air, 3rd owner CA black plate
I talked with Ssnake-Oyl today...Retractor springs were included on the outboard belt, they usually rot and go away...Mine did! The retractor spring ins located in the black boot housing under the seat, beneath the metal retaining case.
Tom...FYI...The new belts (lap only) are running $450..... including the retractor springs. This includes new webbing, correct labels and rechrome. Ssnake-Oyl will send you a quote, with a sample of the webbing so you can approve color. Very nice people to work with. May seem to be a considerabe amount of money, but you are talking a primary safety device..I didn't want to sew my own :-)
Thanks for all the input from everyone, and Ann, your definitive statement made up my mind to spend the extra $100 to replace the springs.
Thanks again.
Bob
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in Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior
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