3-point Inertia Seat belts for a '72 Electra 4 door Hard Top?

Discussion in 'Interior City' started by Electra Bob, Nov 23, 2020.

  1. Electra Bob

    Electra Bob Well-Known Member

    Does such a beast exist?

    She, who must be obeyed, being a fragile young thing (she better not read this!) is reluctant to ride in the Electra with its old style belts and lack of air bags. Hell! Most of the cars I started out with had no provision for seat belts :)

    Something a little more modern might make her more Electra Sociable.

    I'm guessing the lack of a B pillar makes installation a little difficult and I would prefer not to spoil the clean look of the wide open side profile with permanently dangling belts from the roof mounting point.

    Cheers
    Bob
     
  2. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Point out to the she that the six feet plus of hood, engine and frame on your Electra means that the first three feet of the other car is your crumple zone.
    Patrick

    I would check some street rod companies for something that could be adapted; I can’t think of any factory applications that have what you need and not mount to the roof. It would need to mount on the floor or be really long and mount on the package tray.

    Maybe she could ride with a big pillow or pool floaty in her lap?
     
  3. Electra Bob

    Electra Bob Well-Known Member

    So I heard back right away from Morris Classic Concepts and they say their 1967-73 Chevelle Front 3-Point Seat Belts (bench) will work. Though I suspect that would require the use of the roofline mount point.

    I have tried to explain to SWMBO the physics involved during a collision. The important thing to note is that the force on both objects causes an acceleration of both objects. The forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, yet the least massive object receives the greatest acceleration. So as long as you hit something smaller than you your deceleration will be less than that of the other object. Of course if you hit a building all bets are off :)

    She is not convinced and has seen crash tests where they pit older vehicles against new ones..

    Cheers!
    Bob
     
  4. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Sounds right up your alley:
    https://www.retrobelt.com/pages/product-result?rq=yr_1972~mk_buick~md_electra
    Not a bad price, and PLENTY of colors and options!

    SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED (I really like that name!!!) should be fairly pleased. YOU can't have your cake and eat it too. The belts will be visible, as will THE BETTER HALF.
    Or, stick with the old school belts and SOLO driving.
     
  5. PatricksBuick

    PatricksBuick PatrickBuick

    I retrofitted a 3 point belt in my 67. Yours being a 72(?) I bet that on the underside of your roof there should already be a welded in nut that is exactly meant for that purpose. My dad's 73 Caprice has already 3point belts by GM (also attached to the roof). When did they become mandatory...?? I ordered a kit from hummdiddy and it fit like a glove.

    Patrick
     
  6. Electra Bob

    Electra Bob Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the info guys.

    The Electra does have belts but there is a separate shoulder and lap belt and they are not retractable. I just use the lap belt and drive defensively.

    The shoulder belt mounts at the roofline and has a separate clasp but on me that puts this big uncomfortable clasp right in the middle of my chest.

    If I decide to change up to more modern belts it's going to be in the spring.

    Cheers
    Bob
     
  7. PatricksBuick

    PatricksBuick PatrickBuick

    This low cost solution might however induce other "costs" in the course of the remaining day......
     
    6769RIV likes this.

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