Hi All!!

I need to install seat belts in a 1957 Super 88 with a bench seat in front.

I'd like the retractable belts to keep the clutter to a minimum on the seats when parked.

Has anyone added them? If so, how do I get the stationery belt through the center of the seat back?

It doesn't look like it is a straight shot from front to back, maybe I need to take the seat back off somehow?

Your vast collective knowledge is appreciated.

 

still wondering about adding seat belts to this ride. I have a couple kids and a wife who really should be wearing them.

Any thoughts, anybody done this before?

 

I have't done it yet but I want to also...I looked at seat belt anchors- two styles- about four inch long ovals to use in the centre location and back seat and L-shaped brackets to be mounted somewheres near the exhaust hanger bracket that is screwed to the frame right below the seat...I feel naked without them...

 

I was looking at the frame of the front seat and think that it would look terrible to have the center portion of the front seat belts running through the crack between the top and bottom seat halves down to the floor. On newer seats they come up through the bottom of the seat and are relatively inconspicuous from the back seat.

A friend of mine said maybe I could tie the center belts to the frame in the seat somehow. I don't think that would be the safest option but would be better than nothing.

 

I don't think it would be safe either ...like you said, the newer seat belts come up through the transition piece of the lower cushion and the kick-up for the back rest...check out the possibility of making a slit along that stitching seam and see where it comes out underneath

 

You can get aftermarket seat belts from Kanter. They have the old style buckles and the newer style buckle.

If your car never came with seat belts then I doubt it has stiching in between the seat back and bottom for seat belt access. On newer Oldsmobiles (mid 60s and up) there is a hard plastic sleeve stiched into the fabric of the seat covers. This plastic allows the seat belts to go through the seat without tearing up the fabric.

 

This old 57 didn't have any belts to start with and the vinyl I'm afraid would just tear after I cut a hole to get the belts down to the floor.

It looks like there may be no option but to install them through the slot that separates the top and bottom portions. They will be visible from the back seat, but at least they will be there.

 

on my '56 they're installed thru the space between the seat back and the base. Sure you can see them from the back seat, but they don't really stand out.
No one yet has looked at my car and commented on where the seat belt is anchored

 

Thanks for the comments. I think I'll get the belts and set them in like you say, through the gap between the upper and lower seat halves and see what it looks like. Maybe my wife won't mind the look??

What color belts to use with a green and white interior? Thinking either green or black? White will look terrible in a couple years.

I called Metro Upholstery today in Burnsville MN and they said they have added sheathes to vinyl seats in classic cars for the purpose of running a belt through. I just need to bring them the lower seat half with the locations for each belt and they will strip the cover off it, sew the sheaths in and re-install the seat cover on the frame for around $150.

 

What color is your carpet? It would help hiding the belts if you matched the carpet.
When I got my car it had a red carpet and white seats...one belt was black, the other green!! You wanna talk about standing out!
Now I have a black carpet with black belts, and it just kind of blends in. Sure you notice the belts on the white seat, but they look like they belong there.

 

You have a BLACK BELT!!! How are your anchors mounted or fastened in the floor??

 

I see Yellowstatue has a sense of humor (Black Belt)

I have new black carpet with a white seat bottom so the Black will probably work out fine. I'm a little concerned about taking the vinyl off the seat bottom. It is original and is in great shape but it could be damaged in the process.

 

match the carpet, and remember even cars that came with them are visible from the back seat (on my 3 anyway)

 

Good point. I don't think I will be poking any holes in a 50+ year old seat.

Thanks for the advice.