Topic: Shoulder belt retaining clips?

[Murf]

A discussion at the Iowa MCA event last weekend prompts these questions about the beginning date of shoulder belts and the orientation of the shoulder belt retaining clip used on late 68 mustang coupes.  First, which way does the open end of the clip face.  Have observed about an equal number facing  forward and toward the back.  The FAM is of little help, at least not that I can find.  Secondly, what is the date when the shoulder belt appeared in coupe production.  Have seen February cars without any trace of them and late March production cars with the shoulder belts.  Any date published on when the shoulder belts were incorporated in production or how early have you seen them included?  Thanks for any comments or images you may care to add to this discussion. 

[Andrew@MagMustangs]

I have usually seen them facing towards back of car. This is so after the Belt wraps around it, the open end can retain it as it goes back again.

From what I know, the Shoulder Belts were Federally Mandated for All 1968 Cars. I have also seen a few without, but have heard of instances where the Original buyer did not want them so they were removed and efforts taken to conceal the holes, maybe even a whole new Headliner. Since I never personally did that, I can not 100% confirm those 'Stories'. They might possibly have never been installed. I'm not really sure. But I really don't think it was an exact date running change or anything like that. I do know it was an Option for 1967.

Our last 68 was a 1967 Build Date and had them. I am not sure of exact day built off the top of my head, but VIN was lower than first 10,000, in the early 9,000 range. San Jose Car.

Just my opinion, as always. Andrew

[68 S Code]

If federally mandated then why nothing for converts.

[427Fastback]

Must have been a US only thing...Shoulder belts in 67/68's are few and far between here in BC......Cory

[Andrew@MagMustangs]

Not quite sure about Convertibles. 1968 Shelby Convertible had them in the form of a Retractor coming out of the Top of Rear Quarter Panel.

[ruppstang]

I have a 68 MJ coupe that does not have the shoulder harness and have seen many other that did not. In 67 was listed as optional on Marti reports. It is not mentioned either way in 68.
I believe that the hook should face rearward. Marty

[Bill Cabaniss]

This is the marty report for my 68 fb. Option number 13 shows" front shoulder harness". This might indicate that it was still an option in 68. At least in january of 68. My clips face forward. The spring loop of the clip pushes the belt forward, thus keeping pressure on the belt so it won't sag down. Bill.

[Laurie S.]

My June-built coupe has them, and we did not order them for the car. 

[68 S Code]

Hate to wander off topic but the attached Marti report by Bill was interesting to look at. For his Mid year built 68 the remote control mirror, chrome styled steel wheels and HD battery are called out. Comparing this to the Marti report I have for my car it may answer some questions. None of these options are called out. So does that mean I should have a standard non remote mirror, argent styled steel wheels and a Group 24 battery? I assume that the Group 27 battery is the HD battery called out? I thought I read on the site a while ago that in the late production months chrome wheels were installed on most GT's. Would they install chrome even though it wasn't called for? I guess anything is possible to keep the line moving but what is correct? When i bought the car it had two chrome and two argent wheels on it. Two argents look to be date coded to match the car. Bill by the way the dealership no longer exists under this name. I live about 15 minutes from Highland Park.

[Bill Cabaniss]

I lost 2 points at the Pensacola national last year for having those original chrome s.s. wheels instead of argent. Go figure. As more uf us get the Marti reports i am sure they will help us to narrow the production window on alot of small items like wheels and shoulder straps. Bill.  P.S. hate that my selling dealer has closed. Guess I am out of warranty anyway!!!

[70cj428]

My 7/18/68 Metuchen built fastback has shoulder belts with no mention of them on the Marti report. I also had 2 chrome styled steel wheels on the rear as well  a  chrome wheel in the trunk as a spare with an original F-70x14 wide oval tire. (the front wheels were missing as the car was partially disassembled after an accident in the early 70's and left to sit in a barn, a true barn find) There's no mention of chrome wheels on my marti report either.....

[Andrew@MagMustangs]

From the info I have:

1968 GT Option included Chrome S/S wheels. If the car was ordered with the 'Reflective Group' which was available Only with GT Equipment Group, the Car would then get Special Reflective 'C' Stripes and Reflective Paint on the S/S wheels.

In 1969 the Argent S/S Wheel was Standard on GT and the Chrome Optional.