1964 Dart seat belts

Nigel Hely said
Hi Joe,
Some answers to questions. I am in Australia, so not sure if some of our safety legislation translates across to you guys...

1. Front belts are lap-only, for these reasons:
When I had the hood lining out, I investigated welding plates into the roof frame (rails) but there was absolutely no easy way of getting the plates in there. Plan B was to fit plates into the inside of rear quarter panels above, and forward of the interior trim (hardtop). Disadvantage is they are lower than your shoulder, and would keep falling down to your elbow, like my mates Holden Monaro, BAD IDEA! Both these modifications would need to be signed off by an engineer, so I left it as per original, but brand new (Certified) seat belts were fitted.

2. Rear belts are lap-sash, which was necessary because our child is an age where they MUST ride in lap-sash belts or child restraint. I must admit to being a bit cheeky and replicating the factory (front) floor anchors and welding them in, same for parcel tray. Must have looked great, because the Registration Examiner never said a word...LOL

3. The seats do not lock, they have no provision to lock, and if I modified them I would need to get those modifications signed off by an engineer, so they are as per original.

Hope this helps...

Thanks for the reply! Ironically here in rule heavy CA, we have absolutely NO safety inspections or safety regulations on registration for older cars/trucks. Simply amazing. They regulate and TAX the F out of us. All they care about is paying them! I can drive any rust riddled crumbling seatbeltless old hulk, but if it's '75 or newer that damn smog crap better be working. Morons.

I found that Wesco Performance has a solution if you weld in a support plate to the "B" piller just behind the door below the window opening. I just want to confirm that this will be safe enough. I've heard a varing opinion about the seat back. If you are in a secured 3 point over the shoulder belt, how could the seat move forward? The belt is holding you firmly back in tension...if you don't have the retractables that is. I want to warn people to NOT USE the clamshell style (https://www.wescoperformance.com/ll60.htm) belt they show!

Sadly, my 1962 VW double cab had those as original or retrofit lap belts and my wife was hit hard in an intersection and those came unclasped resulting in her being ejected from the truck. Quadriplegia is, to put it mildly, a life changer for everyone involved. This is why I'm being so picky about this installation. This is my son Joe's car just so you understand.

Most likely your solution was safer than the factory anchors. Well done! Again, thanks for the comments.