1957 aftermarket 3 point shoulder belt

[SkidJames]

I'm not sure which metal it is made of but it feels much heavier than if it was made of aluminium. The closure has an arrow shape cut into it and its got a 180Kg. breaking strain, about double my body weight. I bought the two of them in a specialist outdoor shop here in London. The assistant who I asked for help was rather intrigued on the use that I was going to put them to, this as I certainly do not look the mountaineering type!

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[JimLeanna55Bird]

Update on the placement of the D ring shoulder loop for the 3-point retractable belt. I spoke with an expert in the field of seat belt design and accident reconstruction. I have know this person for 20 years and have worked with him on several serious accidents involving issues of seat belt design and functionality. I explained the issue of the 3-point belt issue and the placement of the shoulder loop in a position below the height of the shoulder. He cleared it up by advising that shoulder height for the D-ring is nothing more than a comfort issue not a safety issue. In fact one of his engineers is very familiar with the baby birds and the seat belt issue and they have no concerns about installing a 3-point system. It is certainly not "optimal" but much better than no belt and also much safer than a lap belt only. I plan on going forward with this install now that the has resolved my concerns about the shoulder loop position.

 

[JimLeanna55Bird]

I completed the install today and it went more smoothly than I ever hoped for. Took about 1 hour and only needed to drill 6 holes. The belts are very comfortable while driving and I barely knew I had them on. The wife is very happy and much more willing to take rides now. Ordered belts from Wesco Performance and the hardware kit they sent was top rate. (need to order it separately) The questionable part was the placement and attachment of the shoulder loop under the rear deck. Well the hardware kit came with a metal rectangular plate for installing this in a situation were you do not have a roof pillar or other attachment point behind and above your shoulder. It worked perfectly for the shoulder loop attachment and fit right into the little spot were there is the metal lip hanging down. As you can see in the pictures it fit just right and is a very sturdy attachment point. Overall a very easy upgrade to a very important safety issue. Wesco does have a roadster version of this belt which would also work well for the early birds but I did not see it on the website until after I got these belts.

PS
It also helps when you have a good friend who is a master mechanic for a very large public works contractor and works on massive pieces of equipment and has the best quality tools and drills and bits to help with the install.

 

[Jim P]

I need to install safety belts in my 57. Is there a way to install a 3 point seatbelt that would that is both effective and also is reasonably unobtrusive? If so is it worth getting the retractor kit? My car will be strictly for my driving enjoyment and for Cars n' Coffee drive-ins. No juried shows for me. Thanks for whatever advice.

Hey there.....3 point belts to my knowledge did not exist in 1957.
My car, family bought new.
When I did restoration in 2015 had no belts but the plate for the lap belts were there. Car now has lap belts.
There is not any place to mount the center clip, nor the back hard point. The retractor in modern cars is usually fired off like an airbag.
The older way works off inertia and a lock spring / cam.
No electric there.
I teach auto extrication to firefighters. The tech of the 1950s was not what we have now...especially safety.
Install the lap belt. I think that's as far as you'll get without messing up the car too bad.