Can anyone tell me if retracting front seatbelts were an option in 1971? I’ve added them to my Mach 1 but it’s been queried whether the anchor points were designed for the different loadings between retracting and standard.

 

Yes, they were a thing. You can run those and it will be fine. And even if they weren't, the anchor points are designed to be tough regardless of what you put on them, retractable or not. I put 1966 Thunderbird ones on my old Muskrat, and never, ever worried about it. Hope that helps, and welcome to the forums!

/Also, don't get in an accident and you won't have to worry about it at all in the first place, eh?
//Seriously, without better overall safety constructions/materials of the car... it is what it is, and again, don't worry, it's strong enough for those retractables.

 

Thanks. Any idea where I could find a contemporary reference (maybe an options list) as I need to prove it to a safety certifier?

 

I'm assuming you're in New Zealand? I'm going off your user name.

Here's the page you need:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/ch...ou/seat-belts/

And I quote:
A 1971 Mustang would not be considered a modern car, and therefore exempt by the definition. And while it does come with front and back, there's your out.

There's also this page:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/ve...the-standards/

Which may be of use to you.

Unfortunately I can't find any particular thing that says "yep, these were there." I can only offer the pictures found in google of currently available '71 Mustangs with these retractors clearly shown installed. I mean, it's from '71. The paperwork they're gonna need to prove what they want is buried in peat moss and will need digging up, eh? It's an anchor. It's structurally the soundest part of the car, and yet... I get it. Rules are rules and all that.

f they're being that particularly picky about it, you may have a case to take to define the subject better, as the law is clearly not well written. Or do whatever they want regarding... in my case, the non-retractors would go in, get the certificate, then take them out. Or just leave them. It's a seat belt, maybe it's not worth the pound of flesh the giverment wants you to extract to get your way, y'know?

Not exactly that helpful to your cause, I know, but that's what I got. Hope it helps nonetheless.

 

Yes I’m in NZ. Thanks for your responses - I’ll let you know how I get on

 

Houtex,

Talk about Going the Distance ! Great Responses! Glad to See you are Still at it! Some Years Back I had to Track Down Some Early 70's Retractable Belts for a Pinto. Found Some Nos Ones From an Obsolete Supplier. Super Clean Car the Guy Had Sentimental Value For. Weirdest Belts I had ever seen. Had Dual Retractors on the Belts Top & Bottom. They were not a good design & I could see them Jamming Up Real Easy. Sounds Like NZ is as Wound up Over Seat belts as California is about Emission Controls!

Keep Up the Good Work!

KC