[njsteve]

I took on the seatbelt project over the weekend. This car has the deluxe seatbelts with the satin chrome covers on it. Since it is an early (12A built) 1972, it has the 1971 style shoulder belts that have the bizarre little plastic retainer that screws into the headliner. They employed a 7" section of black elastic that, over the years stretches out to 20" and no longer holds the shoulder belts above your head. Only recently have the unique plastic retainers been reproduced. (Though some guy on ebay has been selling them as "NOS" for $90 for 2 years now )

I spent a day cleaning the belts after removing the covers and push buttons. I soaked the whole set in a solution of 10% Purple Stuff and 90% hot water. I let them soak for about a half hour and then gently scrubbed with a plastic bristle brush and rinsed them in hot water. I then hung them out to dry in the 95 degree sun. They came out squeeky clean and even the labels looked a whole lot better (I was extra careful using the brush on those).

Here is the full set of belt measurements and part numbers:
(all measurements are from end to end fully extended)

Female buckle ends:

two 34" rear seat belts labeled 46-c-71 model 1912 (label on topside of belt)

two 33" front lap seat belts labeled 46-c-71 model 1912 (label on the underside of the belt)

two 29" shoulder harness belts labeled 45-c-71 model 1052 (label on the underside of the belt)

Male ends:

two shoulder belts, 35-1/2" labeled 45-c-71 model 1052

two front seat belts, 20" labeled 46-c-71 model 1912 with long rubbler sleeves

tow rear seat belts, 15-1/2" labeled 46-c-71 model 1912


Pictured below is the unique seatbelt drying rack I have patented.

And the full belt set after drying. As you can see the shoulder harnesses have a whole bunch of stretched out elastic that needs to be replaced. Also shown are two of the labels.