I just figured out why there were so many seat belts in the back of my 72 cutlass convert. I assume the long ones attached high up under the side panels are shoulder belts for the front? If so I can't figure out where they are supposed to go, out through the open area around the convertible top?

 

There should be 3 sets, one set for three rear passengers.
The center one gets a linger belt, as there was no retractor.
If you have more, they were most likely installed by a previous owner.
A picture would be good to see.
72 Cutlass verts did not get shoulder belts from the factory, as far as I researched.

 

at the very end of this thread there is mention made of 72 Cutlass convertible shoulder belts https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...eat-belts.html

 

the original sticker mentions shoulder belts. Here are some pictures

There are three sets in the back mounted to the floor

There are two very long ones mounted inside the side panels.

 

The three sets on the back are for the three back seat passengers. The two on the sides are the very rare but optionally available convertible shoulder belts. They do not go through the top mechanism, they simply go over the shoulder and attach to the mating part of the belt. Very cool and nice documentation of the attachments.

 

No extra female buckle ends in the front?

Some with those had a belt retainer on the side of the front seat too, I know Poncho did.

 

there were extra buckles in the front that I thought the owner had put in by mistake. there are also holders at the bottom of the 'ashtray' panels.

I still am missing the female side to the passenger seatbelt. The one with the smaller buckle. Anyone know where to get this?


The real problem is that all the seatbelts in the back were sitting in a pool of fluid (hydralic? from the convert top pistons? ) I spent the day degreasing them and cleaning up under the seats. I can't seem to get the oil feeling off of the belts. any ideas?

 

those are shoulder belts for the front occupants of a convertible. Female buckle in my car for the front occupants are the larger width deluxe seat belt (same size buckle as the back seat lap belts). You can ususally find a female end on ebay, may not be the exact length but close enough to work. You can always get it re-webbed as well. If you need I have the documentation for these for installation.

 

if you can get them off, best way is to soak in a bucket of hot water and some Dawn dishwashing liquid - believe it or not that is what they use to get oil off birds, scrub, rinse and repeat, changing water, always hot water

 

I used Dawn on mine too.
They use that stuff for bathing dogs at the grooming places too.
My older daughter worked for years as a dog groomer.
Worse than knowing how to work on cars, everybody wants her to work on their dogs for nothing.

 

thanks for all your help
Dawn worked great (a few hours and 2 bottles later)
Shoulder belts work good and are reasonbly comfortable

 

photos of shoulder belts