at3reg98

Was just wondering if there's supposed to be rear belts in my '65. The seats were recovered at one point and I'm wondering if maybe they're tucked underneath.

jaunty75

First off, it should be easy enough to remove the seat bottom and see if there are belts under there. On most cars, you push rearward against the front side of the seat bottom while simultaneously pushing slightly upward, and the seat should come off of the mounting bracket.

Second, if there are no belts, the mounting holes for them are probably there as I believe rear belts would have been an option on your car. I don't think rear seat belts were required for 1965.

You'll need to get proper bolts to fit in those fine-thread holes, but there are many after-market vendors of seat belts, so you should be able to find something modern, functional, and that looks good. You can also look for belts from a car made back in the day if you want an original look. Things like this are available on ebay all the time.

at3reg98

Interesting. If it was an option I have a feeling it never had them as it wasn't ordered with rear floormats either. Still finding things out about the car.

jaunty75

My guess is that most people back then did not order the rear belts if they were available. Attitudes toward seat belts were much different back then, and more people probably saw them as amusing than as an important piece of safety equipment.

at3reg98

True.. I can only imagine what they thought a few years later when GM had those wacky two piece lap and shoulder belts. My '70 El Camino had five of those huge buckles taking up space on the seat.

RandyS

This thread brings back some memories. I had a new 66 442 back in the day, and the only time I wore my seat belt was when I was racing someone.......... (which was often....LOL). Thought they were to constricting back then. Now I wouldn't drive out of the driveway without the belts on.

jaunty75

My '73 Custom Cruiser has this now. The shoulder belts tuck up under clips above the doors, and who ever wanted to constantly be untucking and retucking them?

Retractable, three-point lap-and-shoulder belts were a real step forward in getting shoulder belts into wide use. Of course, for a while there, some manufacturers offered those automatic shoulder belts that hung over the door opening like a spider web and that you had to tuck yourself under to get into the seat. That was carrying things a little too far, in my opinion, and I'm glad to see that they've apparently gone away.

oldstata

I have a 65 f85 mine does not have rear seat belt mounting holes at all I have removed all the rear interior if any one has a 65 that has the mounting point that could take a pic

Thanks

TK-65

Bill in NC

These pics are right on. Thanks TK for posting them, a couple of weeks back I installed new belts in the rear of mine. The dimples are a little easier to spot if you hold a flashlight at an angle. It will cast a shadow in the dimple. Removing the top of the rear seat will make things a little easier to get to.
2012-06-16205416.jpg

oldstata

So on the left I can find three dimples on the right just two does this side share a mounting point ?

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...a/371eebc0.jpg

And
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...a/a8630dce.jpg

oldstata

Sorry pics are not the best

2blu442

I wouldn't use the dimple where there's a ridge in the floorboard. Look for the recessed areas in TK's pictures, the round ones on the ends and ovals in the middle. Whatever you decide to use to secure the seat belts make sure its beefy enough. There's an old thread where Joe P. posted pictures of what he used on his 1961 wagon, I think he got them repop somewhere. They look much like the following pictures I took of a 1968 floorpan. Check out how thick the metal is on these, plus the length. I've used washers in the past myself, but whatever you do make sure it won't rip through on impact.
John

P7080205.jpg

P7080206.jpg

oldstata

Thanks for the pics ! the outter dimples have the recessed area ,but the center does not on mine at least .what I can see .I like the mounting nut plate on the 68 thanks John I think I will fab it like that .

mike's88

True, my 65 had no backup lights, which was an option also. Had filler caps over the holes in the bumpers.