Go Back   tbirdforum.com > Thunderbird Model Years > Early Birds [1955-1957]
Register Garage FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Early Birds [1955-1957] Have a Super Sharp 1955 to 1957 Thunderbird or just want to learn about them? Show yours off and talk about them here.

Fitting Seatbelts to a '57

This is a discussion on Fitting Seatbelts to a '57 within the Early Birds [1955-1957] forums, part of the Thunderbird Model Years category; I have recently bought a T-Bird and it is currently being shipped down to New Zealand. To drive it there, ...

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)   IP: 202.158.125.2
Old 10-21-2003, 10:24 AM
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Indonesia
Posts: 6
Rep Power: 0
Andrew is on a distinguished road
Fitting Seatbelts to a '57

I have recently bought a T-Bird and it is currently being shipped down to New Zealand. To drive it there, I need to fit seat belts to it.

I am a bit nervous about attacking the car with a 1/2" drill, can anyone give me some ideas on the best way to do this?

I note seat belts were a factory option in '57, how were they fitted?

All thoughts gratefully accepted...!

:confused:
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)   IP: 68.66.179.19
Old 10-22-2003, 05:02 PM
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: California
Posts: 31
Rep Power: 0
Gregory is on a distinguished road
Check out the CTCT WEB site at http://www.ctci.org/ Look under Gil's Garage and then under Seat Belts. They show the original drawings and information on how to take the appropriate precations on installing seat belts. Thanks to CTCI.
I have to do the same thing on my 57 this month.
Gregory
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)   IP: 202.158.125.5
Old 10-26-2003, 12:08 AM
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Indonesia
Posts: 6
Rep Power: 0
Andrew is on a distinguished road
Thumbs up

Excellent tip. Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)   IP: 12.89.163.148
Old 11-03-2003, 10:19 AM
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Hunterdon County, NJ
Posts: 63
Rep Power: 29
Ts & As is on a distinguished road
57 Seat Belts

Takes under 2 hours - helps to have the seat out so you can drill without obstruction. Make sure that you slit the carpet with a razorbade first before you drill so the carpet threads don't wrap around your drill bit.

While you are at it - why not add a third set of belts for the middle passenger using the same 4 holes that you already will be drilling. Store the third set back on the floor when not being used.

By the way - use hardened bolts and large fender washers to add to the safety aspect of the seat belt function.

Just a suggestion.

Tom R
57 Dusk Rose
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)   IP: 68.66.179.19
Old 11-03-2003, 11:46 AM
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: California
Posts: 31
Rep Power: 0
Gregory is on a distinguished road
Tom I haven't gotten too it yet, so let me ask one more question. Did you drill in the center of the recommended location for your single bolt attach point? I'm going to do it this week.
Gregory
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)   IP: 12.89.163.73
Old 11-05-2003, 01:12 PM
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Hunterdon County, NJ
Posts: 63
Rep Power: 29
Ts & As is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregory
Tom I haven't gotten too it yet, so let me ask one more question. Did you drill in the center of the recommended location for your single bolt attach point? I'm going to do it this week.
Gregory
Gregory

Did mine before there were any recommendations posted - but they worked great.

My outer bolts are located directly behind the seat track just in view from the topside with the seat all the way back.

My inner bolts are 4 1/2 inches toward the outside of the car from the inner edge of the seat pleats. About the same distance back from the rear of the seat.

Does that make any sense?

Remember the large fender washers on the underside for safety.

Tom R
57 Dusk Rose
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)   IP: 202.158.125.2
Old 11-10-2003, 07:49 AM
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Indonesia
Posts: 6
Rep Power: 0
Andrew is on a distinguished road
Thanks for your help!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Seatbelts Yoda Flair Birds [1964-1966] 1 12-01-2010 09:25 PM
fitting new headers in my '86 5.0Thunder The AeroBirds [1983-1988] 0 06-30-2004 02:00 PM
Rear Seatbelts White Bird Flair Birds [1964-1966] 4 07-29-2003 11:35 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:37 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0
Garage vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.