Would anyone here happen to have or know where to get a set of front shoulder belts for a 1970-72 Skylark convertible?
Very, very rare option, If I recall last year someone had offered a set for sale. I believe you also may need rear side intererior as well. Best of luck
they are rare and hard to find. i have this set from a 1970 skylark convert. parts car. these arent for sale but thought id give you a reference to go by, if you need any more info let me know.
Thanks for the pics Doug! I wonder if enough convertible guys are interested in getting a company to make front convertible belt sets? I'm sure some Chevy, Olds, and Pontiac convertible guys might also be interested in this rare option.
Same set-up as the rear shoulder set-up for a hardtop, little longer I think. Good used parts are readily available to make a set with exception of those pesky little covers that keep the slack in place once adjusted.
>>I think that I may wind up just buying some deluxe buckles and having a set of black belts made. Doug - could you get measurements of the front shoulder belts from your convertible?
Chris i will get you some measurements. i measured them for someone else last year and i think they were around 63".
My wife Beth and I just bought a 71 Skylark convertible with this option. That was the first time I ever saw this option in person. Duane
My vert came with them and we had a group purchase done about 5 years ago I guess. They are there but I must say royal pain in the butt if you use them plus all the extra belt length is a hassle. Also you have to wonder how well it would actually work due to angle on the belt and such. Interesting though.
>>Hi Tim, What company did you use to for the group purchase of the convertible front shoulder belts? Did you have to provide the buckles yourself? And how was the quality of the belts? Did any get the belt holders reproduced as well?
It was a guy that we got in touch with off the Buick mailing list, bunch of us got together and we supplied the buckles and any other hardware, guy made up the belts. Honestly, don't remember the name would have to look it up but it went badly, got to the point of somebody threatening a lawsuit because we send in our money and parts and didn't get our belts for months and months, no contact, no nothing. And yeah we had beltholders supplied too (so SOMEBODY out there makes them!), but on my car I wanted the pin style shoulder belt (much less bulky than have two complete separate belts) and he cut holes in the belt retainers for the pin...which would be fine but it was a mess. I never mounted them. If you really want his contact info I can go dig up the receipt, but don't say I didn't warn you. Also, don't forget these belts were also used in some real early camaro hardtops so its possible the belt holders might be in their catalog as well.
Hi Tim, Thanks for the info - if you do find the guy's name or company please let me know - so I don't use him! I'll start looking around at some companies and will check the early camaro catalogues as well. Once I get the measurements of the belts I can then start trying to get quotes.
Ok well the deal was we sent money to a guy on the list and he set up the deal...the guy doing the actual work was krebsclassics. I googled it and they only deal through ebay now it looks like. Think the guys name was Don. Now in all fairness perhaps he was having family/work/health issues or whatever, but a person should at least communicate that so everyone understands. i thought my money, and my only good set of pin buckles were gone forever. They did eventually show up and the workmanship on the belts was nice, other than those holder things. I can go measure my car if you wish, do understand that the belt goes between the two rear panels and then does a 90 degree turn to where its bolted to the bracket so measurement could be out 1" or so as will be hard to get it 100% straight.
Hi Tim, You bring up some good points - perhaps I will try looking him up on ebay to see if he can still make these belts. I would certainly appreciate getting the measurements on the belts - then I just have to shop around for some deluxe buckles and find those rare clips. Where the belt bolts between the rear panels - is there a special bracket or does it bolt into existing holes with nothing extra?
Hi Tim, Thanks for the lead on that seller - look what I found: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/69-7...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories The auction ended with no bids. I just sent an email to him to see if they are still available.
The belt(s) actually bolts to the top attach bracket, there is a hole on the front face for that reason, and they all have it. Then the belt runs outward and does a 90 degree trun, goes forward and runs between the piston panel and the 1/4 trim panel..there is a plastic sleeve there between the two panels as well...kinda hard to explain but if you go here and scroll to near the bottom you can see a couple pics that show some of it: http://members.shaw.ca/gsvert/final.html I'll try to get measurements later tonight, right now up to my elbows in diff fluid...
I thought maybe some pics would help clear it up for you, so they are attached. First pic shows how the belt is mounted to the convertible top frame attach bracket. Note how it is angled out and slightly down, this way the belt is more or less flush with interior body panel as it heads forward. Oh yeah, never mind the belt itself, my car burned and sat outside before I bought it...ou: Second pic shows backside, just a big washer and nut. Third picture shows the 72 pin style belt holder. This pic was sent to me by somebody (oops!) and is original to their 72, so it depends on what style of belt you have. BTW, I measured up my belt at 88" long. Without taking panels apart its pretty hard to get perfect though, so take that with a grain of salt. Seems pretty log compared to other measurements in this thread, but that is from center of bolt to center of pin with the belt fully extended...when on, the extra material goes back about 2 feet so that way no adjuster thing on your chest, its all behind you. You could (if your car is apart), just run a string from the attach hole forward through panels and then up and over your shoulder down to the buckle to give the length, then add some for adjustment for your later years...LOL It will change with buckle style too, and if guy on ebay has kits then you are laughing. The reason most shops just do up to 71 is the buckles changed in 72, they are harder to find and more variety and harder. Previous to that pretty limited choices so lots of stock. later Tim
Hi Tim, Thanks for all the info and pics. I know in '72 Buick had the regular size buckle and a smaller buckle to help differentiate the lap and shoulder belts. Also, after looking at your clip - I had previously found a set of seat belt holders that were black plastic and mounted at the bottom of the rear seat - the one in the pic you showed looks very similar so perhaps I can use the same one if I find it again. Anyway, now I play the waiting game to see if this guy on ebay gets back to me about the set he is selling.
I did a quick search on ebay and found a few sets of the seat belt holders - but they are all from Mopar cars - did Mopar and Buick use the same type buckles? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
