Seat Belts

[58Yeoman]

I had a tower installer guy install a tv tower for me once, back in the 70's. He said that he was drilling a hole from the basement on one of his cable installs once, when the threads came down his drill bit in the basement. He went upstairs to see a thread pulled all the way across a room.

 

[Fairlane56]

I understand original 56 belts sell for more than my car is worth…

 

[Gene F]

I typically will not install them. I had to put my name on the federal conscription list when I was a young man.

A guy rides by my house in the evenings on a crotch-rocket doin about 100MPH. Some nights he only has on short, flip flops, and sunglasses. I'm sure you know how that makes me feel about seatbelts.

 

[Daves55Sedan]

Or the STATE TROOPER that will issue a written reminder?

According to the letter of the law, you don't have anything to worry about if you are driving a car that was manufactured before the federal mandate went into affect...which I believe was 1964. The law was written this way to prevent backyard mechanics from possibly drilling or punching holes thru their mufflers, gas lines, brake lines or structural members. And there would have been a sh**storm if they had tried to pass a law forcing everyone to take their older cars back to the qualified dealer to make modifications, so they decided on no modifications for old cars, assuming that all older cars would eventually end up as scrap, then eventually everyone would own a car newer than 1964.
The police know that older cars are exempt from the seat belt law and cannot write a ticket for not wearing a seat belt in a car that never had them, nor can they write a ticket for not wearing a seat belt in a car that might have had them optionally prior to 1964.

 

[55blacktie]

My regard for my safety and that of my passengers exceeds my concern for being cited for any violation. I doubt the OP is concerned about the latter.

I've been driving for 50+ years. I rode motorcycles for as many years. Cars are safer but still potentially lethal. You're more likely to spend more time behind the wheel, and in all kinds of weather. Still not convinced? Talk to someone who has buried a loved one.

 

[miker98038]

My Dad put seatbelts in our cars in 1957, when he started flying. He went down to the airport and bought sets for front and back. I was 7 at the time, so I really grew up with them.

As to original Ford belts. Some years ago I replaced the existing belts in my 55 bird with 1956 style metal on fabric reproductions. I did not pay the premium for the licensed Ford logo, I bought the same buckle without it. They were even able to match the oem green for the interior. They came from ssnake oyl products. They don’t list them now, but it’s probably worth a phone call if you want the oem look. They do a variety of restoration and replacement belts.

https://www.ssnake-oyl.com/

 

[fordor41]

This is the first time that I've read a recommendation for using a punch. However, I have read about using a soldering iron to melt the carpet to prevent snags. Obviously, you want to make absolutely certain about the hole's location. If you're a smoker, it probably won't matter.

or after finding the correct spot, heat up a piece of pipe the correct diameter and melt a hole in the carpet. nice round hole and seals the carpet edge.

 

[GLAmes]

I've spent a lot of time and money in an attempt to restore my '54 to original. The only thing not original will be seat belts. If it had a B piller they would be three point. When I was in the Army the first thing I did when I sat down in the seat was buckle my seat belts. We called it strapping in. Not difficult and doesn't hurt. Why anyone would do otherwise is beyond me.

 

[KULTULZ]

According to the letter of the law, you don't have anything to worry about if you are driving a car that was manufactured before the federal mandate went into affect...which I believe was 1964.

Dave, my post was directed directly to a post as below -

i dont use them to this day.

Surely, 'ol Darrell has a car(s) manufactured after 1963.

It is as simple as this, you want to show the world 'you have guts', fine.

It is akin to motorcycle helmets. Show a little concern for those that have to clean your dumb a$$ off the pavement and bag it.

... the first thing I did when I sat down in the seat was buckle my seat belts. We called it strapping in. Not difficult and doesn't hurt. Why anyone would do otherwise is beyond me.

I bet I know why ...

 

[paul2748]

The mandate must have gone into effect after the 1964 model year as my 64 Fairlane did not have them, but had factory anchors in the front (none in the rear). I put belts in.