68 Seat Belts - Restore or Reproduction?
 

Fellas -

Now that I have all new Parchment interior in my 68 convt., the standard black seat belts (bucket seat car) are looking a bit ratty.

Did some looking around and didn't see reasonably priced and fairly accurate reproductions. Is there such a thing?

I know Ssnake Oyl is supposed to do a good job on seat belt restorations, but I think they get $1,000 or something like that to restore a set of belts.

Anyone have recommendations on reasonably priced seat belt restorer or reasonably priced reproductions?

Thanks,

Scott

I'm currently having my black 68 belts done by Python Restoration. They were in pretty bad condition. Cost is about 600.00

Restored originals are not cheap but I've never seen any really good reproductions. And nice seat belts do make a difference.

I paid $455 for front/rear lap belts for my 69 Lemans vert 5 years ago. Deluxe buckles restored and polished to show condition and new original-style heavy webbing. Everything including the front retractors was supplied by the seller. I bought them from a guy that I found on e-bay and he made them to my specs. I would have to go through my receipts to find out exactly who it was though. Everything still looks great and works perfectly, so very happy with them.

Snake-Oyle restored the seat belts in my TA for the previous owner. According to the receipt the cost was $1300 in 2007. Restored deluxe buckles and new webbing on the original retractors front and rear. The webbing material is very light and it has developed creases and folds (the light webbing might be close to correct for 1974 though?) Also the drivers retractor sticks. It's been 7+ years since the work was done but the car has only been driven a few thousand miles since then and they don't look all too good now, so a bit disappointing.

Not sure my experience helps, but does go to show that shopping around is worthwhile.

Yeah, I found them with a Google search. Can you let me know how they turn out?

Thanks,

Scott

Thanks for the details. Can't see paying $1500 for seat belt restoration. Can you please check your receipts on yours? Sounds like a good price and good product.

Scott

I took a few minutes to go through all my Lemans receipts and could not find the one for the belts (several very thick files!) So it looks like I can't help you with the seller info. I kept a running record of the money spent on the restore so I know the $455 price is correct.

I used Python for a 69 T/A and would never use them again. I paid extra to make sure that the belts would look OE and the cost was about the same as Snake oil was with the upgraded service. They lost parts and used webbing that was very thin compared to OE.They did polish the plastic parts very well once I sent them more to replace the lost parts.

I looked through my saved emails and found the guy I bought the Lemans belts from. The sale actually went through e-bay although he made a custom set for me. But his e-bay ID is no longer valid and not sure he is around or doing belts anymore. If you are interested in chasing him down then send me a PM I will give you the contact info I have.

Appreciate the feedback.

Thanks

Scott

PM sent.

Thanks

Scott

Anyone have a source for accurate belt material? If I have to have some made would like to have correct width/thickness/pattern.

Thanks

Scott

Are they cut & frayed Scott or are they just dirty & old looking?

I've had great results with putting them on a towel, dowsing liberally with Simple Green and scrubbing well with a nylon brush. Wash, rinse, repeat. Black ones especially have come out really nicely, but I did some Sandlewood ones a few years ago that came out spectacular!

Scott (bulletpruf),
About 4 years ago I found a guy on eBay that was selling the correct seatbelt 'fabric'. My original belts were cut short by a previous owner for some reason so having the correct length/material was important to me. My buckles/tabs/anchors were in excellent condition so this eBay member said he would properly stitch the new belt webbing to my hardware. I received everything back from him in about two weeks, maybe less. All I know is that I was very happy with the material and workmanship. Around 200 bucks for material and labor (I already had the more expensive hardware). His eBay user name is westdakotaparts. I just checked and although I didn't see anything currently listed, there's a decent chance he still has material available. Good luck, hope this helps.

Thanks, I'll check with him.

Scott

Ultrasonic cleaners work well also.