67 Shoulder Harness Retractors

From what I recall, they were patterned after a jet fighter harness, but were not specifically from a jet, just "patterned"

Mike

 

You would think it would be from some other automotive application but extensive searching has come up empty. The old Jet fighter story keeps coming up but ironically a few years ago I found some aviation reels from a modern aircraft (not a jet fighter) to have a very similar shape . I found them at the Columbas swap meet. I am not sure which air craft they came from because the swap space owner couldn't recall .

 

I've always had an issue with Shelby inertial reels as I believe that in a crash, you'd probably break both your shoulders because of the way the harnesses would restrain your upper body. A true four point system would work much better because crash loads would be distributed into the upper body rather than solely into the shoulders. This is due to the fact that the Shelby belts are attached to the floor rather than connecting to the lap belt. Think race car.

 

Is anyone reproducing the belts and retractors?

Jim

 

Stuart at Python Restoration . 214 384 9696 . Tell him I sent you. Great workmanship and a nice guy to boot. I highly recomended him for anyones Shelby seatbelt needs. Bob

 

I'm not 100% sure what year[67 or 68's], but the 1969 corvette shoulder harness uses the same reel.

 

Ok Bob Thank you!

Jim

 

For SAAC-33, I replaced the driver's shoulder harness with a race harness that connected to the lap belt. It held me in the seat nicely, but surprised me when I couldn't reach far enough forward to turn the key! My arms just weren't long enough.

 

Roy, a little trick is to add a extension on to the key so you can reach it straped in . On my 65 GT350 race model I took the key and sandwiched it between two pieces of heavy gauge sheet metal useing the hole in the key to run a nut and bolt through it and the sheet metal. It works great. l hope that gives you food for thought for next time. Bob

 

Thanks for the tip, Bob. I'll give it some thought. Arms were too short by several inches however.

 

Roy,
I have another idea. Let me drive your car the next time.
Have very long arms reaching stuff I probably shouldn't.
Think about it.
Texas Swede

 

Roy not that you would ever want to do this but FYI a number of the R models and Trans Am Shelby's had a toggle ignition "On" and toggle "Start" switch and some had just another key ignition switch on a small box located by the side of the seat mounted at the transmission tunnel which I am sure was partly for the reach conveinence when straped in.

 

Bo,

No problem, see ya in NJ next year!

Bob,

I was thinking along the same lines on my way home from work today. I'll have to give it some more thought.

 

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