1968 Chevrolet Bel Air Wagon Seatbelts

I know what you're thinking: "Oh, wow...a seatbelt story...yay," which is just about as exciting as watching peat moss dry.

Several years ago when I was still a newlywed, I built up a '59 Buick leadsled, and deliberately didn't put seatbelts in the car. You might wonder why. Rest assured, I did so for a selfish reason-I didn't want my wife to drive my beloved car, and I knew she wouldn't drive it without belts installed. My silly way of rationalizing went something like "Well it's not a race car, it's a cruiser. It does not need seatbelts." I confess, once we had kids, my entire outlook on seatbelts, safety, and bringing the family to car shows has changed, which brings us to this project.

So here we are looking into a worn-out '68 Bel Air wagon. Back in the pre-SUV days, wagons ruled the road; this one will soon see the blacktop once again, too. After a check-up on its mechanical reliability, it was established that the wagon could run around town and get the groceries with no problems. It was time, however, to take care of that nagging seatbelt situation.

We included a shot of the belts that were in this wagon before we took them out. They don't look too bad, but looks can be deceiving.

We included a shot of the belts that were in this wagon before we took them out. They don'

How many of you have been seated in a vehicle with a three-point belt system and had the shoulder belt come across your neck or ear? I know I have, and in the back of my mind I've thought "If we have an emergency stop, will I get strangled or have my head cut off?" Needless to say, those thoughts were quickly dismissed, and away we'd go. To put my overactive mind at ease, we turned to Morris Classic Concepts. The folks at Morris have a great three-point retractable belt system that, in our opinion, is a step above the rest. Morris Classic Concepts makes direct bolt-in retractable three-point belts for Camaros, Novas, Chevelles, and Firebirds from '67-'73.

We called MCC and told them that our plan was to fit these belts into a '68 Bel Air wagon, and that we thought the belts from a Chevelle of the same year would most likely fit with no problem. Truthfully, I had my fingers crossed hoping that GM made all their bench seats the same length. It turned out that the Chevelle belts did fit perfectly. Even better, it took about half an hour to bolt in all of them.

The folks at MCC also told us that if we wanted, we could just call up National Parts Depot and order the very same belts. So that's just what we did. If you've got an Impala, Bel Air, or Biscayne wagon, give National Parts Depot a call; check their Web site for a location near you: www.npdlink.com.

One of the first things we noticed, which spooked us, was that the seatbelt was not anchored down. It appears that the previous owner simply tied it in a knot to the anchor point in the floor. We're not willing to bet that the knot will hold in an emergency stop, how about you?
One of the first things we noticed, which spooked us, was that the seatbelt was not anchor
And when we looked in the back seat, we saw no belts at all. Only when the backbench was removed did we see the leftover stubs of where the belts used to be. We can't figure out why they were ever snipped out.
And when we looked in the back seat, we saw no belts at all. Only when the backbench was r
What would an install story be without a product shot? Here we can see the passenger and driver retractable belts and the two lap belts for the backbench.
What would an install story be without a product shot? Here we can see the passenger and d

After bashing our knuckles and removing the stubborn old anchor bolts, the front retractor was hand-threaded into place.
After bashing our knuckles and removing the stubborn old anchor bolts, the front retractor
If you're wondering about the pivot point of the arm, we popped open the cover to take a look. The bolt is welded into place and there is no possibility it could unthread itself over time.
If you're wondering about the pivot point of the arm, we popped open the cover to take a l
After we located the anchor points in the roof, the mounting plate bolts right in with a 3/16th Allen wrench. It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes to install one of the retractable belts; everything is truly a bolt-in job. As an added bonus, the mounting plate is black powdercoated stainless steel. The seatbelts come in other colors, but we chose black.
After we located the anchor points in the roof, the mounting plate bolts right in with a 3

Here is the important part: Hidden underneath the headliner just behind the B-pillar, GM saw fit to include anchor points for belts, even though they didn't come with the car; it must have been an option in some vehicles and not others. Either way, we're glad the wagon came from the factory this way. Hopefully, you can also see what makes these seatbelts better than the average three-point set. This swing arm lowers the belt just enough that it will comfortably run across your shoulders.
Here is the important part: Hidden underneath the headliner just behind the B-pillar, GM s
The front is finally done, so all that's left is the back. We sprayed some penetrating oil into the old holes before we bolted in the back seatbelts. It made it a bit easier to batten down the belts.
The front is finally done, so all that's left is the back. We sprayed some penetrating oil
The same 8mm Allen wrench we bought worked for the bottom bolts, as well.

And here is a shot of the back seat with all the lap belts installed. There should be no problem strapping in the kids' car seats now. One thing we did not realize until the whole job was done was that GM also made anchor points in the roof for three-point belts in the back seats. Instead of lap belts in the back, we could also put in a three-point belt.
And here is a shot of the back seat with all the lap belts installed. There should be no p
Take a look at what the seatbelts in the front look now. They look factory-installed, don't they?
Take a look at what the seatbelts in the front look now. They look factory-installed, don'