More seat belts

[Will Owen <nashwill@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dave Gurevich said:

"This type of 3-point belt system could be found on just about any GM
car in early 70's. I had a '73 Olds Cutlass which had this. Very
inconvenient because
you cannot lean forward once buckled in. Why not use shoulder belts
with retractors?"

Some of us want belts so we'll be safer in the event of a crash.
Others (I among them) want belts because we like the huge improvement
in control that derives from being locked down into your seat. A
cinch-down 3-point system is nowhere near as effective for this as a
competition-style 5-point setup, but it's got it all over any kind of
inertia-reel arrangement. Yeah, it's kinda unhandy to have to get
unbuckled at the driveup ATM, but even my elderly Falcon is for
flingin' around first of all, and comfort/convenience maybe fourth,
back behind gas mileage. That's one reason she's got a JCWhitney
system that fits like a straitjacket, except it leaves the arms free.

One thing that has been bothering me here is the number of folks who
are looking for belts in junkyards. NOT A GOOD IDEA, unless you're
intending to replace all the webbing with new stuff before the belts
go in your car. Used seatbelts (especially from wrecks!) should be
trusted about as much as used condoms.

Will Owen
'87 Milano (hers)
'60 Falcone 6C2400 Berlina Quattroporte (mine)
'89 Scoubidou 3C1200 Malatesta (unclaimed and unloved)

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