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Old 04-24-2024, 03:24 PM
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unruhjonny unruhjonny is offline
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
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the first two small buckles are 1972.5-1974;
I don't know if they will even work with the single rear belt in the middle of the two buckle types.

The middle belt, and far right buckles pictured look to be correct for 1970-1972-1/2.

Here is a general description which might help for 1970 through 1972-1/2;
  • Front lap belts: 1970 recoiling / 1971 through to 1972-1/2 fixed length with vinyl sleeve
  • Front shoulder belts: fixed length with elastics to hang from roof (roof hangers were translucent plastic, and are often broken).
  • Front lap buckles: adjustable length (same ones for lap and shoulder)
  • Rear lap belts: short; fixed length
  • Rear lap buckles: adjustable length (shorter than the front buckles)

Mid way through 1972 seat belt laws changed, and this required a seat belt warning to be incorporated - the speedometer and gauge clusters changed at the same time to incorporate a "BELT" warning light.

These belts had a smaller buckle than earlier units, and of late they have been coined as the "exploding belts" because of the tendency for the front plastic faces of the buckles to pop apart rendering hte buckle almost useless.

These belts had smaller male ends;
The front lap belts for 1972.5 & 1973 used a shoulder belt much like earlier ones, except they interlocked with the lap female belt end - the end was unique;
Because of the shoulder belt interlock, these belts only had a single buckle for the front seats.

For 1974 I believe that the separate shoulder belt was eliminated - and this replaced the two piece belts with a (first year) one piece shoulder belts which had a recoiling base mounted on the ceiling.

I hope this helps

__________________
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)