Kelowna64 wrote:

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Hi,

Anyone with a 64 Pontiac Parisienne who has original lap belts, would you be kind enough to post a photo of the male / female buckles. The set in mine, do not appear to be original and I'm wanting to replace them.

My firstl 64 I had years ago I believe had the silver solid, like airplane style. Would like to find a match.

Thanks.
Ken

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 I have some in the wagon that are coming out. Belts are black we are replacing them when we replace the interior with colour keyed belts.  Next time the car is down off the lift I'll post time pictures 

Your '64 won't have a shoulder belt anchor point on the roof. Car makers didn't start putting in the shoulder belt anchor points in the roof until mid-year 1966. GM cars so equipped actually had a hole punched in the trim tag on the firewall to denote the anchor points were present. The shoulder belts were crappy though, with the female (buckle) end hanging from the roof, swinging around and knocking on everything they could reach with wind buffeting. Starting with the 1968 models the front shoulder belts were made mandatory (except on convertibles), and at that point the male (tang) end was the on the shoulder belt.

They really weren't very usable until they finally started installing the inertia reel for the shoulder belts on the 1974 models. Shelby Mustangs had inertia reels back in the mid-60s though, plus Volvo was advanced in that area too.

Custom sport rag wrote:

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MoboMac wrote:

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I personally don't really understand why ANYBODY would want to put shoulder belts/harnesses in their classic car.....unless required for occasional racing...

My 63 Safari doesn't have any...and I find it quite pleasant NOT being tied down to the seat...

If it's MY destiny to DIE in a car crash with NO seat belts.....so BE it....

Shoulder belts....airbags and 4 wheel anti-lock disc brakes....are all part of a MODERN car......and if you are THAT paranoid.....you shouldn't be driving an OLD classic car...JMO

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 Amen

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Well maybe if you worked as a first responder for a while you might appreciate the impact ANOTHER reckless/drunk/inexperienced/dangerous driver can have on a person/family.  Quite frankly I love my classic auto and if I can make a small improvement to give myself or my family a better chance in an unforeseen scenario I will damn well do it.  I'd rather be cautious and alive to enjoy my car than macho and dead.  I plan on controlling my destiny, not placing it in others hands.... JMO.

Thanks to everyone that replied to this post.  I did get some shoulder straps that mounted behind the seat and we used them for a 10 hour road trip to New York City for our 10th Wedding Anniversary.  They actually came in quite handy when a deer crossed the highway and a hard brake (yes no ABS) could have meant a head off the dashboard or window without the shoulder restraint.  I have since taken them out I have a friend who is a custom welder/fabricator working on an almost invisible support system to keep the shoulder up and out of the way without molesting a roof line or damaging a seat.  I can send a few pics once done if anyone has interest.