PDA

View Full Version : seatbelts

dayshifter
03-30-2005, 02:53 PM
Im restoring 1964 impala ss.And Calf. says I need to install belts ,not sure how to mount?Thks :) dayshifter
Rockfish39
03-30-2005, 03:23 PM
FHSA 1966 made seatbelts mandatory. As far as I know, 1965 and older cars in SoCal does not require them to pass safety inspection....

If, however, things have changed... Contact Impala Bob's 1-800-IMPALAS

They sell kits with hardware and instructions for just such an upgrade

Rock :cool:
SS425HP
03-30-2005, 03:33 PM
There are mounting holes for the front seats, ONLY. No mounting holes for the rear seats. You can generally see them from under the car. If they want rear seat belts, you might ask them where to attach them, as GM made no provisions for them.

Fred
threeimpalas
03-30-2005, 05:18 PM
If this car is going to be driven at all, don't be an idiot. Install seatbelts regardless of how "restored" this car is going to be or what the state law says.
SteveD409
03-30-2005, 05:48 PM
As far as safety is concerned I have reservations about seat belts (lap belts). I have heard really gruesome things about what lap belts can do to a person in a collision. There must be a reason that the total industry switched to the use of shoulder harnesses.
droptop62
03-30-2005, 05:48 PM
If this car is going to be driven at all, don't be an idiot. Install seatbelts regardless of how "restored" this car is going to be or what the state law says.

I agree! seat belts are a must have.
droptop62
03-30-2005, 05:50 PM
As far as safety is concerned I have reservations about seat belts (lap belts). I have heard really gruesome things about what lap belts can do to a person in a collision. There must be a reason that the total industry switched to the use of shoulder harnesses.
Yeah but have you heard the gruesome stories of the people who wore no seat belt at all!! :eek:
Phil Reed
03-30-2005, 06:50 PM
Starting in 1963, the front seat belt holes were stamped in the floor pan and a nut plate was welded on the bottom side. If you did not order seat belts, the holes came from the factory with a rubber plug. Fred is right, these same provisions were not done at the factory for the rear belts. For the rears, you have to drill your own bolt hole and a big flat washer is installed on the underneath side of the floor pan. This is supposed to keep the nut on the bolt from pulling thru the floor pan. This was also the way you had to install the front seat belts up to 1962.

We have an aircraft type, chrome buckel seat belt in about 15 different colors. They are not original but look similiar. $29.50 each. All the bolts and washers come with each belt ordered.

Seat belts are a must anymore. I really didn't think so until my daughter hit a lady who pulled out in front of her. She was in a 63 Impala 2-door hardtop that I bought for her. She hit both knees on the dash. I didn't have seat belts in yet for her. She wasn't hurt but I have never ridden in a car or truck since that day 12 years ago that I didn't buckle up my seat belt!! I learned my lesson from her!!
SteveD409
03-30-2005, 08:34 PM
You have a point, Droptop-but my meaning was that one should consider newer style over the shoulder belts in a driver, not just lap belts!! Truely, I keep forgetting that in this day and age where the government wants to do our thinking for us, especially about keeping ourselfs out of harms way, that everything must be spelled out completely and precisely. I do tend to abreviate my statements. Sorry, my bad.

SteveD