NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

[Guest]

Ok just wondering if anyone has any seatbelts. MUST be Original NO REPO"S.
Tom Young is working on a set for me, but they wont be ready for a while, wondering if anyone has any now they want to sell,. I can use BLACK but have no problem with other colors and i can have them dyed.
mark

[Alexander]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

I know you said no repos, but Andover makes great seatbelts that work in Squarebirds. I bought a set and they are exactly like the setup that originally came in the Squarebirds including the eyebolts in the floor and the sister hooks to attach them. http://www.andoauto.com/seat_belts1.htm

I have the original seatbelt installation instructions here: http://www.squarebirds.org/seatbelt_installation.htm

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

>I know you said no repos, but Andover makes great seatbelts
>that work in Squarebirds. I bought a set and they are
>exactly like the setup that originally came in the
>Squarebirds including the eyebolts in the floor and the
>sister hooks to attach them.
>http://www.andoauto.com/seat_belts1.htm
>
>I have the original seatbelt installation instructions here:
>http://www.squarebirds.org/seatbelt_installation.htm
>
>Alexander
>1959 Hardtop
>1960 Golde Top
But let me ask you this....How do they stand up in judging??That is why i was looking at getting originals..Let me take a quick look Alexander..
mark

[Guest]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

>I know you said no repos, but Andover makes great seatbelts
>that work in Squarebirds. I bought a set and they are
>exactly like the setup that originally came in the
>Squarebirds including the eyebolts in the floor and the
>sister hooks to attach them.
>http://www.andoauto.com/seat_belts1.htm
>
>I have the original seatbelt installation instructions here:
>http://www.squarebirds.org/seatbelt_installation.htm
ok they do look good. However i was Under the impression that the 60 bird belts did NOT have a snap buckle... rather a buckle that LIFTED and the bels was fed into it and clamped down on it..Correct me if i am wrong here..and were they shinny chrome or the satin finish??
Mark

[Alexander]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

You are correct, that the original style had a cloth to metal junction, not metal to metal. I have not seen the original style in person. I think they are very rare.

Neither the VTCI or the ITC takes points off for non-original seatbelts.

These Andover seatbelts are as close as you can get now. They definitely look period and not out of place. I chose the shiny chrome finish ones with the sister hooks and loop anchors for my 1960 . They are way better than the ones that are directly bolted to the floor that many of the T-Bird dealers sell.

Even if you do get original seeatbelts, you might want to use Andover for fresh hardware such as the anchor bolts and reinforcements.

If you do get an original set of seatbelts I would like to see pictures of them.

Thanks.
Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[peeeot]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

on that site they list an underbody reinforcement for cars that have never had seatbelts before. Are these necessary for our 'birds, and if so, do the weld in or ?? I need seat belts!

[byersmtrco]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

Yeah . . . All good questions. Biggest one is . . . Do they work? Are they safe?? I guess any is better than none. My 60 never had em. I just have one for our 3 yr old's car seat @ the pass side rear. I do have a set of repro's from a TB supplier. From Snake Oil Prod or something?? They look "close". Those dog-ugly eyebolts though?? I guess that's what they used. As far as reinf from the underside, it looks like it's just a fat washer.

JB

[Alexander]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

Yes, you need reinforcement underneath the floor. Most of the repros come with what looks like a heavy duty washer. Andover sells a reinforcement that is similar to what was originally used. It is pictured on the left below:

http://www.andoauto.com/Belt68.jpg

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Alexander]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Originals...NO REPOS'S

I think the reason they used eyebolts and detachable sister hooks on the seatbelts back then is that the car industry at the time used suppliers that made seatbelts for the airlines. If you have a commercial airliner, a detachable belt is an advantage, since you can easily remove a belt for cleaning or replacement.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Alexander]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Originals...NO REPOS'S

I was thinking, since the early automobile seatbelts were adopted from the airline industry, possibly a source of an original cloth to metal seatbelt might be an antique airplane restoration company. This company actually rewebs seatbelts: http://www.cmaviationservices.com/

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[peeeot]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

does that reinforcement have to be welded in?

[Alexander]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

No, it does not need to be welded in. The eyebolt or bolt holds it securely to the underbody.


Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[tarps3]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

ok...here's a dumb question.
How do I lift up and remove the rear seat cushion?

I've tried pushing back and then lifting up, I've tried lifting straight up, I've tried doing one end at a time.....I can't budge the thing.

What's the secret? Do I have to remove the arm rests on the sides first? It doesn't look like I should...

Casey
60 hardtop

[Alexander]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

No the arm rests do not need to be removed.

Just push in the lowest part of the seat between the legs of the imaginary passengers. It should then just lift up and out.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[tarps3]

RE: NEED SEATBELTS--MUST be Orignals...NO REPOS'S

I looked at the seat belt illustration and it says the front belts should have some sort of restraining loop.
Do you know if anyone makes this part?

Also, what belt lengths should I order for the front and back belts?

Casey
60 hardtop