Seat belt question

[Humanure]

I just bought a 1960 bug that is in very good condition. Two days after getting it home I realized that it does not have any seat belts for the front seats. The seats themselves look original but I am not certain. Can anyone tell me the 60 bug came stock with seat belts? Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!

[wingnuht]

I don't believe seat belts were offered as standard equipment until 1962 or 63. I've got a 61' beetle hardtop with a similar dilema......Bryan

[keifernet]

Seat belts were not mandatory until 1968,
early 60's only had them as options but around 64 or 5 most vws were equiped with them,(lap belts only) I'm not sure but I think VW was a bit ahead of their time and did make them standard before the 68 law. While you probably won't find any original belts for that period, there are several aftermarket belts out there to choose from.
I've also seen some early retractable style in 66's and 67's... usually their plastic housings are deteriorating though.

[Humanure]

Thanks a lot Bryan and keifernet, the info helped a lot. Now I have an excuse if I get pulled by the cops since it is mandatory to wear belts here in Fla. I may look into the aftermarket belts anyway so I can feel better having my 8 year old nephew accompany me on some rides to the beach or wherever.

[79SuperVert]

When I bought my 1979 SuperBeetle convertible I decided to buy new seat belts for it because the ones that were there seemed beyond help. I bought three-point retractable seat belts from J.C.Whitney. They didn't look like the originals but like you, I felt it was better to be safe than correct. Turns out the bolt that was supplied for the bottom anchorage just behind the door opening near the floor was too long. However, I found that the original correct size bolt for the 79 is still carried by VW dealers. I don't remember the part number, but if you run into the same problem a VW dealer might be able to help you.

[keifernet]

The problem you will encounter with the early cars is the place on the tunnel where the belts bolt up may have a very large and unusual thread so no bolts will work, I've seen some early cars with a really funky adaptor for the dealer installed belts (Pre-65) I have seen some aftermarket belts come with a large washer and your supposed to "through bolt" the belt receivers to the tunnel, It depends on the condition of your interior as the cars I were working on were gutted for major renovationm so I mig welded the nuts to the big washer and then mig welded them to the tunnel, same mod on the lower door post/channel where the belt bolts up there. I can't be sure if the earlier bodies have the provision for a 3 point mount(the hole for the upper point) but I will look on a few early bodies and see....
If ANYONE needs any seat belt bolts, flat and plastic washers,ect.... Let me know I've got scads from stripped down cars.... K

[keifernet]

Crudux..... Docbugjunkie unformed us in another thread about belts that the stuff you may need is available at Wolfsburg West...