Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Seat belt question
Forum Index -> Ghia Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
demley
Samba Member


Joined: October 25, 2015
Posts: 60
Location: Auburn ca
demley is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 6:17 am    Post subject: Seat belt question Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KGCoupe
Samba Member


Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
KGCoupe is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 6:57 am    Post subject: Re: Seat belt quesrion Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
demley
Samba Member


Joined: October 25, 2015
Posts: 60
Location: Auburn ca
demley is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 7:24 am    Post subject: Re: Seat belt quesrion Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KGCoupe
Samba Member


Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
KGCoupe is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 7:38 am    Post subject: Re: Seat belt quesrion Reply with quote

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.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


If so, that would surely qualify as a "Rarest Of The Rare" vintage VW accessory. Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Era Vulgaris
Samba Member


Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1915
Location: Raleigh, NC
Era Vulgaris is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 4:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Seat belt quesrion Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
[email protected]
Samba Member


Joined: April 15, 2014
Posts: 1
Location: Brazil
f.soeiro@uol.com.br is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Mar 25, 2020 7:55 am    Post subject: Re: Seat belt quesrion Reply with quote

Era Vulgaris wrote:
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.
Quote:


On the birth certificate of my Lowlignt 1959 it has an optional retractable seat belt
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
jeffrey8164
Samba Member


Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 4145
Location: Georgia
jeffrey8164 is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Mar 25, 2020 8:50 am    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

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

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
69isalive
Samba Member


Joined: July 17, 2024
Posts: 52
Location: SE Virginia
69isalive is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:12 pm    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
bnam
Samba Member


Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 3457
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
bnam is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 5:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jeffrey8164
Samba Member


Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 4145
Location: Georgia
jeffrey8164 is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2024 3:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

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)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
carmangary
Samba Member


Joined: September 29, 2004
Posts: 419
Location: Raleigh, NC
carmangary is offline 

PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2025 5:50 pm    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jcerier
Samba Member


Joined: November 05, 2024
Posts: 44

jcerier is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2025 7:32 am    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

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).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jeffrey8164
Samba Member


Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 4145
Location: Georgia
jeffrey8164 is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2025 8:47 am    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

jcerier wrote:
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).

Let me know when you switch.
I’d be interested in your originals.
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Rome
Samba Member


Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 10524
Location: Pearl River, NY
Rome is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 3:58 pm    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

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:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
carmangary
Samba Member


Joined: September 29, 2004
Posts: 419
Location: Raleigh, NC
carmangary is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 3:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Rome
Samba Member


Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 10524
Location: Pearl River, NY
Rome is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 10:26 pm    Post subject: Re: Seat belt question Reply with quote

Gary, there are a few complete bases in the Classifieds. Search for "seat belt receptacle".
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Ghia All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2024, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.