1955-72 Retractable Shoulder Harness 3-Point Seat Belts

I remember when a car actually came without seat belts? It wasn't until the mid-1950's that US car makers began offering seat belts. These days the first thing you install to make your classic safer is a set of lap seat belts. Installing seats belts can be done at home in the driveway with simple hand tools and will give you huge of mind when driving your classic down the road. A lap belt will keep you in the seat if you are ever in an accident but a 3-point lap and shoulder belt is the best and safest way to go. Proper anchoring of the upper has always been a concern of ours, but the manufacturer, Custom Autosound, has engineered special bolt-in hardware to make the installation simple and safe. The colors match the current lap belt colors we stock. This fully retractable seat belt system can be used on a 2-door sedan or wagon, 2-door hardtop or convertible front seat. Anchor systems for 4-door sedans and wagons are not yet available.

Parts List

• 57-176114-1 1955-57 Black 3-Point Retractable Shoulder Harness Seat Belt Kit
• 57-176116-1 1955-57 Red 3-Point Retractable Shoulder Harness Seat Belt Kit
• 57-323696-1 1955-57 Tri-Five Retractable Seat Belt Kit
• 57-176124-1 1955-57 Gray 3-Point Retractable Shoulder Harness Seat Belt Kit
• 57-176126-1 1955-57 Turquoise 3-Point Retractable Shoulder Harness Seat Belt Kit
• 57-176123-1 1955-57 Ivory 3-Point Retractable Shoulder Harness Seat Belt Kit
• 57-176127-1 1955-57 Maroon 3-Point Retractable Shoulder Harness Seat Belt Kit
• 57-176131-1 1955-57 Blue 3-Point Retractable Shoulder Harness Seat Belt Kit
• 57-176132-1 1955-57 Dark Green 3-Point Retractable Shoulder Harness Seat Belt Kit

Tools Needed

• Electric Drill With 12" Drill Bit
• 58" Wrench
• 58" Socket and Ratchet

Time Frame

• 3 hours

Installation Instructions

Image 1a, 1b: The Seat belt retractor bracket bolts to the floor of the car with a 716" X 1-14" fine thread bolt, lock nut and flat washers. The bracket mounts as close to the inside of the inner quarter as you can it and just forward of the rear seat. Drill a 12" hole in the floor in; the desired location. Be sure not to drill through the carpet as this will destroy the Cut the hole in the carpet with a razor knife.

Image 2: The 716" bolt and small flat washer through the bracket and floorboard. Install the large flat washer and lock nut on the bottom side of the floor and tighten.

Image 3a, 3b, diagram: The upper seat belt slide attaches to the upper inner quarter on a hardtop or convertible. The hard to rtible bracket sures 1" X 2" with a 716" hole in the center. Drill a 12" hole in the inner quarter skin 7" down from the top edge and 2-12" back from the door jam.

Image 4a, 4b: The upper seat belt slide has a 716" X 1" bolt that through the inner quarter and bolts solid to the 1" X 2" bracket. Tighten the bolt and install the cover. The cover can be to match the interior if so desired.

Image 5a, 5b: On a 2-door sedan, wagon or Nomad, there is a slot in the forward quarter glass body channel metal. To access the channel, the vertical fuzzy channel must be temporarily removed. The upper seat belt anchor bracket can be fed th rough the slot in the body Drill a 12" hole 5" up from the base of the quarter window for the anchor bolt and upper belt mounting The bolt will thread into the bracket that is trapped in the body.

Image 6a, 6b, 6c: The seat belt retractor and the end of the seat belt are held to the floor bracket with a 716" X 1" bolt with two flat washers and a lock nut. Mount the retractor to the rear hole on the bracket and the end of the seat belt to the forward hole.

Image 7a, diagram: Clasp end of the seat belt anchors to the driveshaft tunnel. Drill a 12" hole 13" forward of the rear seat raiser and half way up the driveshaft tunnel.

Image 8a, 8b: The end of the seat belt is held to the driveshaft tunnel with a 12" X 1" bolt, a large and small washer and a lock nut.

Image 9a, 9b: The seat belt retractor keeps the long of the seat belt gathered up and the clasp end will lie on the front seat neatly The retractor has an internal clutch just like your late model car that will engage in the event of a sudden stop or crash.

Image 10: With the shoulder harness installed in your classic you and your front seat will feel far safer taking the car for a cruise or on a long trip. The retractors will keep the belt gathered up leaving your interior nice and neat!