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Old 08-07-2022, 01:13 PM
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Default 70 TA coming up for auction

I get email alerts from the Hemmings classifieds (differnt than their monthly magazine);
I typically only look at 1970-1975 cars - mostly out of curiousity, because I'm stretched a bit thin as is.

This one was emailed to me recently, and wanted to share it with you all because it appears to have a seldom seen option;
rear shoulder belts.

Are these (female side) belts the same as one's used for the front - or are they a different/unique length.

I chalk up cars with rear belts, cassette players, or rear seat locks as oddities;
Followed by the uncommon options of power locks, rear console, or a few others.

hemmings 70 Ta white on blue

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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)

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Old 08-07-2022, 04:56 PM
nas t eh nas t eh is offline
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Interesting car regarding the seat belts, nice looking restoration, front fenders are 1973+

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Old 08-07-2022, 05:01 PM
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I've never seen rear shoulder belts as an option on a '70 so I'm no help there.. I did notice the lack of JW wheels and that it has a '73/later core support and '73/later front fenders as well so not sure how that will go over with any knowledgable bidders.

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Old 08-07-2022, 06:58 PM
nas t eh nas t eh is offline
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Late model Camero centre console, Ram Air on the hood scoop?

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Old 08-07-2022, 07:46 PM
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Bunch of incorrect things for a 70, but it looks like a nice car.

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Old 08-07-2022, 07:58 PM
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I think that for PDL, the seat back lock was included in '70
There are provisions for the belts in the package tray of all 1970 Birds that I have seen.

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Old 08-07-2022, 08:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulabruce View Post
I think that for PDL, the seat back lock was included in '70
Interesting!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulabruce View Post
There are provisions for the belts in the package tray of all 1970 Birds that I have seen.
Yes;
Come to think of it, I am incline to think that if anything, they might be the same as front shoulder belts as it looks like they would use the same anchors as the front shoulder belts.

I mistyped earlier, the centre anchored belts were the female ones (with the buckle), while the outer ones were male.

It would be nice to know if essentially the front shoulder belt setup was used in the rear position also.

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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)
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Old 08-08-2022, 01:20 AM
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The rears had retractor as far as I know, the fronts folded up to the head liner sides

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Old 08-08-2022, 03:48 AM
Trevor78 Trevor78 is offline
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Rear 3-point belts were an option that should have been developed into the range as standard. They were still a twin-buckle lap and sash with a fixed point on the parcel tray that remained for all years, no retractor.

1970 Firebird seatbelts 2 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr


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Old 08-08-2022, 07:59 AM
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I think in 1970 there were something like 206 Birds made with the shoulder belts.



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Old 08-08-2022, 08:40 AM
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I found a set of the rear shoulder harnesses on a 1970 T/A built for the CA market that I parted out. I think that is the only set I've ever seen, and I've dismantled a bunch of early Firebirds.

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Old 08-08-2022, 11:56 AM
'ol Pinion head 'ol Pinion head is offline
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Have also come across a rear set of oem shoulder belts (in std buckle form), pulled them out of a '71 Camaro.

Wouldn't be that hard to do up a "correct" set with original style buckles/ male ends, if one absolutely had to have them in a car (on the invoice copy & a very high point show build). My own take is shoulder belts take away from the rear seat appearance, not nearly as hideous looking as are the Morris contraption belts, but bad. Personally, would never go to the effort of adding rear shoulder belts, have owned 2nd Gen's since new, & the back seat area isn't comfortable at all for riding in.

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Old 08-08-2022, 05:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulabruce View Post
I think that for PDL, the seat back lock was included in '70
There are provisions for the belts in the package tray of all 1970 Birds that I have seen.
ALL 70-81 rear package trays had the stamped provisions for rear shoulder belt anchor point....but option was discontinued early in the 71 model year..

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Old 08-08-2022, 06:54 PM
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Overall this car comes across quite well......and I'm sure who buys it....prolly won't know...or care about the incorrect wheels,fenders and rad support...

The jacked up back end...and shiny pedal trim detract more IMHO

Bonus points for correct...one year only ...screw mounted door edge guards..

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Old 08-08-2022, 07:14 PM
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I would think a skilled body man could modify those fenders and make them look more correct without too much trouble. Has anyone ever tried that?

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Old 08-08-2022, 07:46 PM
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I'm thinking a magnet would have a hard time sticking to that car...

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Old 08-08-2022, 07:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jhein View Post
I would think a skilled body man could modify those fenders and make them look more correct without too much trouble. Has anyone ever tried that?
the proper way to do this is to swap the entire brace.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 71GP76TA View Post
I'm thinking a magnet would have a hard time sticking to that car...
LOL.

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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)
  #18  
Old 08-08-2022, 07:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Green Hornet View Post
ALL 70-81 rear package trays had the stamped provisions for rear shoulder belt anchor point....but option was discontinued early in the 71 model year..
huh, I did not know this!?

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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)
  #19  
Old 08-08-2022, 08:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unruhjonny View Post
huh, I did not know this!?
From GM's perspective.....there would be no point in modifying the part when it isn't seen anyways.....and if the law ever required it...they would be good to go....with an anchor point already in the build...

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Old 08-09-2022, 07:19 PM
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DOT safety mandates such as lighting, and searbelts was actually for the Calendar year. So.. GM almost Never installed Anything they didn't have to unless marketing and competition in sales dictated.
Case in point. Shoulder Straps were not MANDATED till
Jan 1, 1968. So NO Firebirds got Shoulder harness as STANDARD Equipment until Jan 1, 1968.
That said; Side marker lights were same way, NOT Mandated till Jan 1, 1968, but made sense to make all the 68 models visually the same and competition was doing it.
Personally speaking the second gen cars should have been called touring cars, left the back seats out! Make a flat luggage tie down area.. rear seats are nearly worthless. Only installed for CAFE STANDARDS.

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