Sorry not Cougar, but looks like we need some content. I have a 62 Monterey convertible. Started cleaning it out and found a seat belt on the driver side looks like it was dealer installed. I found a piece of label that says Wheatbelt? I goggled when seatbelts were installed didn’t find a good answer. They did match the interior color so may be supplied by Ford. The one anchor was an eyebolt in the floor. Date on belt was 7/61. I’m sure some of you guys may remember those days. Maybe get a picture tomorrow. Thanks.
My guess is a lot of people are at Carlisle. I’m there in spirit!
I know they were available, at the dealer and aftermarket for many years before they were required. Date code looks good. I have seen what looked to me to be Ford belts that used what looks like an eye bolt. But that is the extent of what I know about them.
Do the eyebolts look like this?
https://www.npdlink.com/product/mounting-kit-seat-belt-front-seats/105161/200548
You may very well have dealer accessory seat belts. If they are Ford I would expect to find Rotunda branding on them. You might see if there is a 1962 Rotunda accessories catalog you can access. Or they could have come from a JC Whitney or Warshawsky or Sears catalog back in the day too.
Made me wonder on the history of seat belts. I know by 1967 lap belts were Federally required with shoulder belts following in '68.
Found this which would lead me to believe that seat belts had to be a factory option in 1962 but would have a factory label so my guess is dealer or aftermarket. The good news is there should be a place to mount them. Love to add shoulder belts to my 67 but not an easy task as mounting holes were not standard.
Always had a soft spot for big Mercs from the early '60s. Found this brochure which lists a few options on the last page but nothing about belts.
1962-Mercury-brochure.pdf (6.82 MB)
Love reading those old brochures.
Thank you so much for the reply Cavallino. The triple A article was a really good. I remember wanting to trade up our 88 Aerostar for one with airbags for my wifes safety, who had to drive 20 miles to work. After our divorce I was not so concerned for her safety.