Although the muscle car era is admired for its carefree approach to motoring, this sense of freedom is seen by many as somewhat uncomfortable in the way it often excludes a fundamental safety feature we have grown accustomed to with modern vehicles. Just entering mainstream availability during the 1960s and 1970s, seat belts could now be seen as a necessity even for owners of classic cars. Produced by Seatbelt Solutions, this three-point harness conversion is designed for easy step-by-step installation on 1968-1973 Chevrolet Nova models.
It all began in the summer of 2005 when Jeff Biegun gave his neighbor $2,000 and a riding lawn mower in exchange for a 1975 Corvette. But there was one problem, the car had no seatbelts. This was a time when new Corvette parts were scarce, and most Corvette owners spent time sifting through used parts at swap meets. As Jeff Biegun was searching for the much needed seatbelts to complete his 1975 Corvette, he soon found that the parts he needed were either unavailable, of poor quality, or overpriced. Luckily for the Corvette industry, Jeff was not willing to pay more to refurbish the belts he found at a swap meet, which would cost more than he paid for the car. Instead, he set out on a mission to produce aftermarket "Direct Fit" seatbelts at a reasonable cost for all Corvette owners. After six months of research and development, Jeff was ready to launch his new product -- a 1974-77 dual retractable Direct Fit seatbelt set. He drove two hours to show the new belt to one of the biggest aftermarket Corvette distributors. They took one look at the high quality, and knowing these aftermarket seatbelts were in great demand, asked when he could deliver the first order. Since then, Seatbelt Solutions has created a complete line of aftermarket seatbelts, for many makes and models. We have grown considerably since 2005, now servicing over 600 vendors with the same personal attention that Jeff gave to the first client. What started as the search for a solution to Jeff's 1975 Corvette has grown into a successful business committed to finding solutions to help many car enthusiasts across the country with their seatbelt needs.
What is the difference between seatbelts made in China verses belts made in the USA? One of the main reasons that Chinese products are so appealing is the price, but when you buy from Seatbelt Solutions, there is no price difference between American made and Chinese belts. Most Chinese made belts do not meet FMVSS 209/302, and the colors and thread don’t even match. The fact is that manufacturers overseas really don’t understand the FMVSS requirements like manufacturers in the USA do. For example, some of the belts that are sold from China say “DOT Approved.” The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates tire manufacturing, not seatbelts. We know that the Chinese are good at manufacturing radios, TVs, and clothing. However, when it comes to purchasing seatbelts, you should purchase from an American manufacturer who understands FMVSS and knows and can prove they are making and selling a safe seatbelt. So, I would ask you, why run the risk?
Make | Model | Years |
Chevrolet | Chevy II | 1968 |
Chevrolet | Nova | 1969 - 1973 |