Author Topic: Repro 70 seat belts - do they meet any US standards??  (Read 770 times)

Offline OzCuda

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Repro 70 seat belts - do they meet any US standards??
« on: December 08, 2008 - 06:29:50 AM »
Hey guys, looking at re-webbing my original belts or just buying the reproduction set.  Wondering what the quality/standards are of the repro ones?  Now I'm assuming that there is only one manufacturer and the retailers all sell the same product - if there are multiple types then this could be difficult to answer.

Original belts won't be legal here but I would like to know whether they meet some standards within the US and therefore are effectively safe to use.  Worst case is that they are made in China etc and are only for show.  Rewebbing my original ones here will at least meet Australian standards on the webbing and stitching, even if the buckles aren't to spec.  Reproduction ones will at least look completely new which is desireable from the show-car point of view.
'70 Barracuda




Offline Aussie Challenger

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Re: Repro 70 seat belts - do they meet any US standards??
« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2008 - 07:03:49 AM »
  Unfortunately any American seat belt doesn't meet Australian standards, Hemiken has been looking into this problem. I used to have a Victorian RWC licence, I have found nothing wrong with the American seat belts but the Australian govt won't approve them. The only test the American belts don't get tested in is after they have been soaked in water. Not too many cars in the world drive under water very often.   :stirpot:
Dave

Offline OzCuda

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Re: Repro 70 seat belts - do they meet any US standards??
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2008 - 06:39:24 AM »
Well, I bought the reproduction belts (P.G. Classic - B/E&A) and not surprisingly they come with a note stating that they are for static or display use only.  Quality does look good though and the buckles have some of the original stampings on them but not the 'American Standards' branding.  Looking to have my trimmer make an assessment of the quality of stitching and maybe add the 'Chrysler Corp' labels off my old belts but looks like I might be running show belts and drive belts.
'70 Barracuda

Offline kslush

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Re: Repro 70 seat belts - do they meet any US standards??
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2008 - 03:27:09 PM »
I am pretty sure they have the warning about only being for static use for lawsuit avoidance.  I think that your chances of limited injury in a decent wreck with one of these cars is pretty slim no matter what seatbelts you have in...they didn't pay too much attention to that in the era of these cars...

Offline the_engineers

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Re: Repro 70 seat belts - do they meet any US standards??
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2008 - 11:20:05 PM »
I know you're looking to stay close to original, but BEAMS (www.seatbelts.net) offers a really nice product.  I ordered through one of their re-sellers (seatbeltpros.com).  Here's the thread I covered it in.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=49734.msg512511#msg512511
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.