maker@dartvax.UUCP (Steve Maker) (12/06/83)
I had a '60 Fairlane with no shoulder belts, so I bought a pair from JC Whitney; they actually came from some Midwest company. They were easy to install (requiring a 1/2" drill, though) and worked well for many years. Unfortunately, they were not the automatic kind. I bet if you looked hard enough you'd find an aftermarket company that would install automatic ones, but I can't help there. - steve maker decvax!dartvax!maker
hopkins@burdvax.UUCP (12/06/83)
All cars built in the US after some time in the early 60's were required to have lap belt anchors, but shoulder belt anchors were not required until some time later. (Sorry about the imprecision, I'm working from a couple data points and filling in the rest.) For instance, my '64 F-85 (sigh) would take lap belts only. You could always improvise an anchor for shoulder belts, but what you get then is questionable: the mandated anchors were sufficiently strongly attached to the car that they would hold you in place; an improvised anchor would probably work well - until the first time you needed it to work. If you're looking for a sense of security, you got it (unless you are reading this). If you want security, look farther. Anybody out there have any experience in testing improvised anchors, either formally (applying measured forces) or informally (putting on the belts and driving into a truck)? Are there aftermarket anchor kits that can take the forces of a front-ender at 55? Are the roof structures of older cars strong enough to support those forces? Eh? Bill (Perenially Strapped) Hopkins