Topic: Early 69 Shelby Convertible Question

[Bob Zink]

Does anyone know if this single eye hook connection to the tranny tunnel is original for an early convertible?  I have also seen 2 separate belts with 2 eye hooks as well. 

The date of 52 68 aligns with the date of 51 68 on the label of my Hamill retractor belt label. I am looking for confirmation that some early convertibles came with a single eye hook connection to the tranny tunnel for the front lap belts. 

Thanks. 

[TLea]

Bob are you asking if some cars came with only one female buckle in front?

[Bob Zink]

I believe there were 2 female buckles in the front on each side.  One was a 67 style buckle for the shoulder harness.  The other was a standard black plastic buckle for the lap belt (early convertible). 

My question is was the webbing for these 2 buckles sewn together just before they attach to the tranny tunnel on early convertibles?  My early convertible is configured this way - 2 belts sewn together so there is only 1 connector to the tranny tunnel. 

I have been told that no 69 Shelby convertibles came this way from the factory.  However, my date codes on my label indicates it may be original. 

[J_Speegle]

Did check but could not find any good pictures or TSB articles related to the inner front seat belt number of anchor plates

[TLea]

I see what you mean. I cant say I've ever seen that before. Let me ask Stewart if he's ever seen it

[specialed]

where the original snake decals on both types of buckles push button? compare the sewn together pattern to that of a fastback that had both same type plastic buckles sewm together from factory in 69.

[Bob Zink]

I am planning to see a twin of my car in the next few weeks - vin #99.  My car is #100.  I am very curious how his front seat belts are configured on #99. 

Here is a photo of the button and my retractor label.  The date codes on the front belt is within 1 week of my retractor label date code. 

[Bob Zink]

I just got back from photographing another 69 shelby convertible vin #99.  It also has only a single eye hook front lap belt connection to the tranny tunnel.  Very interesting.   I assume this means not all 69 shelbys came with 2 separate front lap belts. 

[TLea]

No I think you need 3 more examples till we see a pattern 
Good work, something new I learned. Now lets see if we can figure out when it started/stopped

[Bob Zink]

I wonder if it was a convertible-only difference or just an early vs. late seat belt difference?  I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the buckles in the console insert do not appear to be the 67 style buckles on #99.  I should have pulled one out and got a better photo of it and also the insert on the shoulder harness to see what style it was.  I am invited back so I can check next time.  The guy had some amazing original cars in his collection.

When I spoke to Stuart about this 2 years ago, he didn't think any came this way. 

[specialed]

Interesting & that would be a early convertible thing & with 2 different  buckles sewn together very odd now to figure out which & how many were done that way at a o smith?