Seat belt question

[demley]

Hi all
What was the first year that VW used a lap/shoulder type seat belt that has a lobster claw latch. The only number I could find was on the plastic latch which was KL5037 and on a mounting bracket which was 111-857-775A ?
Thanks
Don

[KGCoupe]

I'm not 100% certain, but I believe that the 1967 model year Karmann Ghia was the first to be fitted with the lobster claw style sat belts.
I can tell you for sure that my current 1967 Karmann Ghia came with the lobster claw style lap belts (as well as a one-year-only seat belt retractor), and the 1966 model year Ghia I previously owned did not.

I never thought about it, but I suppose if you were to have ordered the optional lap/shoulder belts back then they would have been the same lobster claw style.

[demley]

I don't think they're off a 67 unless maybe a coupe. I know the vert used a lobster claw that was just a lap belt. Thanks

[KGCoupe]

If you're asking which model year was the first to come "standard" with lap/shoulder belts - whether lobster claw style or otherwise - I believe the answer is that although a mounting point for the shoulder belt was included on all Ghias past a certain model year, the lap/shoulder belt was always an optional accessory.

I've never seen the optional lap/shoulder belt for the '67 model year, and I wonder if they would've come with that same one-year-only seat belt retractor that the lap belts had.

If so, that would surely qualify as a "Rarest Of The Rare" vintage VW accessory.

[Era Vulgaris]

My old 67 coupe had the factory retractable lobster claw lap belts.
I tried for some time to find a retractable 3 point lobster claw belt, with no luck. I did manage to find static 3 point lobster claw belts here on the Samba, which I bought for my car. The particular set I bought was from a '69 Ghia. I would imagine they would've been an option for all years that lobster claws were used though. Which I think was 67-69? I'm not sure if they were used in 70 as well, or if 70 switched to the later latch.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[[email protected]]

[jeffrey8164]

My 70 came with the lap and shoulder non retractable Claws. Not sure if they came standard or as an option.

My 71 did not have any seat belts. They could have been removed by the P.O. as most of the interior was missing as well.
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)

[69isalive]

My unmodified 1969 Karmann Ghia came with the lobster claw 3-point non-retractable belts. Having trouble finding out how to adjust them - they just went into the 1969 I'm restoring and they are still nicely cleaned, but figuring out the loops through the top of the claw and how to get the belt to move through them is evading me. Any guidance would be appreciated.

[bnam]

My understanding was that retractable shoulder belts became standard only from 72 or 73.
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL

[jeffrey8164]

If you can wait till the weekend, I’ll take some photos and video for everyone.
They’re not friendly at all so hopefully you’re passengers are similar sizes. 🙃
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)

[carmangary]

My 1969 Ghia had plug in seat belts with little levers to unlock them. I am not sure if they are original or not but they are definitely from some old VW of that era because they have VW logos and are ancient. I'd add a picture but they are in a box. I replaced with some modern ones until I can get them rechromed and have the webbing replaced.

[jcerier]

My 70 coupe has 3-point non-retractable lobster claw belts, and I'm pretty sure they are original. I really dislike them, and plan to convert to retractable plug-in belts (or whatever you call them).

[jeffrey8164]

[Rome]

A few months after I bought my '64 Ghia Cabrio in 1983, I bought a '70 Ghia Coupe parts car. Used its entire chassis for my '64, and many other parts such as the 12 V wipers, much of the electrical system, etc. Also transferred its 3-point belts into my '64. They are the "chrome tongue" style shown in the '69 Ghia US/English OM:

Factory-installed mounting holes for 3-point belts were standard equipment as of 1962 model year...

To adjust the lobster-claw style for belt length, push the chrome part of the latch inwards towards the plastic sheath. Keep pushing it and then pull the belt itself to lengthen or shorten it. When you let go of the chrome part, the belt length is locked. It'll likely take some working to loosen the mechanism. Careful with any lubricant because you don't want any overspray or drippings onto the belt material.

Inertia-reel retractable 3-point belts were standard as of the '72 model year on all US-market VWs.

[carmangary]

Those seatbelts in the image the like the ones I have for my Ghia. Thanks for posting this.

Has anyone run across any reproductions of that cover over the seatbelt where it attaches to the car. It is shown in the photo over where it bolts to the car.

[Rome]

Gary, there are a few complete bases in the Classifieds. Search for "seat belt receptacle".