Adding Seat Belts to a Classic?

Hello Motorheads,

How easy is it to add seatbelts to a classic car? I'm thinking about getting something like a 1960 Cadillac, but I want to have belts in the back for baby car seats (I have twins on the way). Can they make the seatbelts as secure as if they had originally come with the car?

I'd probably get someone else to do the work, how much might it cost?

Thanks in advance,

I wouldn't think it would be that big a deal. I've seen some add on belts in j.c whitney, etc. Not sure on getting it done..Might involve a little floor drilling if no way to mount. MK

Lap belts bolted to threaded, stamped plates which were welded to floor pan sheet metal. If you want security, I would take a similar approach, or perhaps put a backing plate outside to prevent pull- out. Of course, this presumes you're not some kind of white-glove concours weenie.

On older convertibles, you may find that seatbelt security is illusory, as the under-seat pans are prone to rust.

I've added belts to three of my classic cars: a '55 Chevy, a '35 Ford, and a '53 Ford pickup. Lap belts are a piece of cake to add if you have a portable drill and a 1/2' bit. The best bit for drilling sheet metal is a step-drill by Unibit. A bit pricey, but works much better than a regular twist drill and you get multiple sizes in one. The hardest part is making sure of where you're drilling so that you don't hit something under the car and that you have room to install the washer and nut. Use a tiny drill bit for trial first. The belts I've used so far were made by Superior Mfg. Co. in Van Nuys, CA and purchased from my local discount auto parts store (Kragen). Several colors are available. There are also several web businesses that sell them, including Andover www.andoauto.com , from whom I've purchased retracting shoulder belts to put in my Chevy. Make sure the belts you buy have enough length for the child seats.