[north]

I just looked at the 70 full line catalog on oldcar brochures online and here is what I think is the answer:

Bonneville has Burled Elm and Catalina has Walnut wood trim.

btw, blubomber is right that the 69 accessorizer doesn't show the warning light option but it mentions it in the listing of components in the lighting group.

[Alvin]

WAG - sounds like "Apollo & NASA" style translucent polymer layer on top of wood grain vinyl, doesn't it? Remember we're talking 1969 & 1970 here, right?

I'd imagine someone @ a modern sign co. (Fast Signs, Wood Veneer Co, etc.) could scan in complete dash template & the letter cutouts can be occomplished w modern laser equipment and them final layer with lettering applied...

I know & understand it's esoteric, but it COULD be done if one was so inclined w the time & $$$.

Pure speculation, WAG idea on my part, so no offense intended.

[blubomber]

Maybe one of these new 3-D printers could make one? I saw a picture of a dog running on a prosthetic leg made in a 3-D printer. Someone tried to make a pistol but the reciever and barrel couldn't withstand the pressure.

Originally Posted by Alvin

WAG - sounds like "Apollo & NASA" style translucent polymer layer on top of wood grain vinyl, doesn't it? Remember we're talking 1969 & 1970 here, right?

I'd imagine someone @ a modern sign co. (Fast Signs, Wood Veneer Co, etc.) could scan in complete dash template & the letter cutouts can be occomplished w modern laser equipment and them final layer with lettering applied...

I know & understand it's esoteric, but it COULD be done if one was so inclined w the time & $$$.

Pure speculation, WAG idea on my part, so no offense intended.

[north]

I think in 69 they were testing because at that time airbags were supposed to be mandated for the 73 or 74 model year so that was not far away in 69. Oldsmobile actually offered a passenger airbag in 88's, 98's and Toro's (all the same dash) in 1974 (I have the brochure from when my dad bought a 98)

[blubomber]

side bar. I got my child locks from Hank in PA last night. That makes 52 options for my Bonneville. I won't use them except as a display item in the trunk, along with the Arctic wipers.

[blubomber]

When did airbags become mandatory? Maybe this is the story I was referring to and just got the years wrong.

Originally Posted by north

I think in 69 they were testing because at that time airbags were supposed to be mandated for the 73 or 74 model year so that was not far away in 69. Oldsmobile actually offered a passenger airbag in 88's, 98's and Toro's (all the same dash) in 1974 (I have the brochure from when my dad bought a 98)

[north]

I was wrong, the 74 olds system had two airbags, the funny thing is that the main selling point was that unlike every other 74 car it didn't have that f**** seatbelt ignition interlock system.

It was mounted under the dash, the opposite of the 69 concept as well as what actually went into production in the 90's.

That is why so many 69 GM's had such a similar looking dashboard.

[north]

Air bags became mandatory in 90 (drivers side only) but I think for a few years car companies could opt out if the put in those f*** door mounted automatic seatbelts.

[blubomber]

They may have been a pain in the a#$ but I know they saved my life once. I was run off the road by a tractor trailor and only lived becasue of the automatic belt across my chest. I have religiously used seat belts ever since that day in '93.

Originally Posted by north

Air bags became mandatory in 90 (drivers side only) but I think for a few years car companies could opt out if the put in those f*** door mounted automatic seatbelts.

[north]

I had a 90ish Olds Cutlass 4 door that had them, driving with the window down on the highway left you with a black and blue ear from the slapping of the belt. God I was missing back then the wide open feel of a good old 60's hardtop with no posts to stir up the wind.

[north]

It's a 59 but it gives you a feel of the open airiness of sweeping down an interstate, all the windows down at 70+mph and having a quiet conversation at the same time. Try that in any new car, sounds and feel like an air canon machine gun is shooting at you!

[David Brown]

My 70 came with front shoulder belts, but they had ben cut off by the previous owner sometime before I bought it in 1979. During my first restoration in the early 90s, I had the shoulder belts redone. There is a much more secure feeling when cruising with the top down (or up for that matter) and having those shoulder belts across the chest.

[3 Deuce 64]

Originally Posted by David Brown

My 70 came with front shoulder belts, but they had ben cut off by the previous owner sometime before I bought it in 1979. During my first restoration in the early 90s, I had the shoulder belts redone. There is a much more secure feeling when cruising with the top down (or up for that matter) and having those shoulder belts across the chest.

Dave that's interesting , my 70 doesn't have them and there are no signs of them ever existing , were they an option ? My 69 Firebird hardtop has them as well as the 68 skylark hardtop .

[blubomber]

Originally Posted by 3 Deuce 64

Dave that's interesting , my 70 doesn't have them and there are no signs of them ever existing , were they an option ? My 69 Firebird hardtop has them as well as the 68 skylark hardtop .

Yes, I am almost certain they were options on convertibles but std equipment on hardtops. I don't know when exactly things changed but the '76 Eldorado was the last convertible until Chryler brought them back in the early 80's. If the car has the litte buckle keepers on the rear seat scuttle panels that is an indicatoir that the car came with the front shoulder belts. I have seen quite a few hardtops that look like the shoulder belts have NEVER been used, and not surprising since they were so clumsy and ackward. Until they started putting belt retractors in and putting the belt as part of the seat they were just a mess.

[north]

My LeMans and GTO verts have them but my Bonnie and bird don't. Thinking of getting them but they are very pricey!! something like $450 for front set on one car. Plus no one has the right color for my Bonnie (69 only mustard gold)

[blubomber]

My '69 came with them but someone removed them along the way. I know it came with them because the car has the little buckle keepers on the lower rear seat scuttling. I was going to get replacements from SSnakeOyl. I was planning to cut the buckle and baseplate out of a junk yard car to send along to have the belts run thru and stitched. My other option is to just cut the tags off a set of belts and get new belt material at the proper length and then take them to a local shop with a heavy duty needle to have the ends sewn together and the tags stitched on. I think the overall belt length is like 72"

[20milecar]

Heres my 67 bonny with the new shoes

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by 20milecar

Heres my 67 bonny with the new shoes

Looks GR8!

[Alvin]

Not mine; but surprised - unless I missed it - this months '67 GP Feature car hasn't yet been posted. Apologies if it has been, and I'd appreciate the link to this one. Thxs...

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by 20milecar

Heres my 67 bonny with the new shoes

That looks 100% better. Excellent choice. Its amazing what a nice set of wheels and tires will do for a car.