Here's some pics of the belts that came out of a 72 442 convertible I'm doing. It's a el strippo H code car that has been butchered, resto'ed resto modded, and now I'm putting back to stock configuration - but, the way I want it.

Anyway, I've already aquired a complete set of belts for the car with the small sliver buckles with the black/grey GM logo - love the way those look. Wanted to know if anyone might know from these pics that I took of what came out of my car if this thing did indeed have the shoulder belt option. (The date codes on all these are either 7 E 72 or 7 C 72) I know there's quite a few male ends missing - they werent there !! Also, this car has the front seat retractors with the lead for the U21 seat belt warning system - did non U21 cars have the regular retractors? Thanks

 

I believe the U21 was for the rally pac option.
The seat belt warning system became a standard addition in 72 and had no RPO code. The retractors with the switches were used only with the warning system.
It does not appear that your set had used the shoulder belts.

 

Yes Rob, the U21 is the code for Rallye Pak, but when I was researching this mess, I found in the wiring diagram in the service manual (Fig 12-1) a note that says "U21 (TOP INST PANEL)" above the drawing for the dash mounted light assy - so I'm wondering if you only got the seat belt warning light if your car had the gauge package. The only cars I've ever seen with it have all had gauges - maybe it's just a coincidence, but maybe this is why the warning light has no RPO code because it's PART of the U21 package.
Like I said, this car has been so butchered up that it very well could have originally come with gauges that were long ago sold off to someone.

 

Purely a coincidence.

However, ONLY the U21 cars got the separate fasten belts light on top the dash, as the rally pac gauge cluster either did not have room to add the light there or GM did not want to completely retool the gauge cluster to add the light.

On non-U21 cars, the fasten belts light is in the fuel gauge cluster. The CSM wiring diagram shows it in both places.

 

Thanks Rob - I didnt know about the warning light in the cluster. I've done two 71's, two 70's, and my 68 - learing something new everyday about the '72's.

Can you tell what those odd retractors are for in the pic? (4th pic from the left)

 

Not sure what is odd about them - they are for the back seat, that's all I see.
Like here:

 

The warning light on the dash started on January 1, 1972 on Rallye Pack cars. 1972 models that were built in late 1971 don't have the light as it was not required by federal regulations until January 1.

Terry

 

I've never had them before in any car I've had - sorry to bother you.

 

Not a bother at all - I was just looking for something way out of the ordinary.
I was thinking they were used in some pre-'72s but maybe not.