Curious about this NOS '70 seatbelt?

bmwhd1 · June 10, 2025, 3:52pm

Not my listing, just noticed it as it’s in great shape and a rare color. But something about the listing jumped out at me.

It’s always been my understanding that '69/'70 convertibles did not get retractable seat belts due to the increased width of the door sills/rockers. The instructions included with this very nice NOS belt seems to imply they can fitted to convertibles.

cougarrand · June 10, 2025, 5:48pm

That is correct.

gah · June 10, 2025, 7:38pm

1969 and 1970 convertible Cougars did get lap belts ( non-retractible), just not the shoulder belts, as there was no place to anchor the bolt used for that belt. Have a look at this image ( from a 1967 / 68 Mustang ), but it is the same for the 1969 and 1970 Cougar hardtops.

Here’s a couple of images of the lap belts found in convertible Cougars ( notice the significantly thicker / re-inforced rocker panel which provided no room for the retracting lap belt mechanism found in the hardtops ).

1969 convertible Cougars still got the console seat belt ‘caddy’:

bmwhd1 · June 10, 2025, 7:49pm

Exactly. That’s why I find the comments on the included instructions so curious.

gah · June 10, 2025, 9:02pm

I’d contact the seller to ask them to post the installation instructions, especially the ‘views’ which are referenced in the I.S. 3630 ( Installation Sheet ) specific to the Cougar and Mustang convertible. This belt assembly is labelled as “Seat belt … Front… Shoulder…” so it would be interesting to see how it is configured to install in a convertible.