were retractable seatbelts available in the 65 chevelle model year? also can anyone post a pic of the correct seatbelt buckle for the deluxe seatbelts? thanks, Stan

Retractable seat belts were not available exactly. You could buy an option that was a seat belt retractor that was installed only on the outboard section of the front seat belts that wrapped up the belt when it wasn't in use so they couldn't flap out the door opening.

I'll try to get some pictures posted tomorrow.

You couldn't get deluxe seatbelts with the floor style retractor? Im perplexed.

Stan65,

Rich is correct and a great source for 65 info. Here's a pic of the 65 belts if you were wanting to see them.

Well, I tired to attach the pic and it will not work. Help anyone on attaching a jpeg here on TC.

Dwaine

Sorry, it took me a few days to get around to taking pictures and posting them. Putting a new transmission in my truck kind of ate up all my time!

BAD,
If you are referring to retractable seatbelts which retract into a little plastic box mounted to the floor then no, those were not available in 1965.

Deluxe seat belts (chrome buckles with a red emblem) were available as an option. Seat belt retractors were available as an option on any kind of seat belt. These retractors were often installed at the dealer. They attached ONLY to the outboard (near the door) half of the belt, the male end of the belt. When the belt was in use it was pulled to it's full length and the belt was tightened using the adjustment on the female buckle side. On my web site you can find pictures of the warning tags attached to the belt when retractors were installed. When the belt was disconnected, the retractor wound the belt up into a little cylinder of belt material to keep it from flopping out the door opening.

http://www.amhost.com/scooter/temporary/seatbeltretracted.jpg

http://www.amhost.com/scooter/temporary/seatbeltextended.jpg

http://www.amhost.com/scooter/temporary/seatbeltretractor.jpg

To see the warning tags, go here:

See warning tags here. (http://www.geocities.com/ticklewiggle/miscpage.html)

Hmmm, didnt know that. I have 65 deluxe seatbelts that retract into the box. I think they came out of a Pontiac.I got them off eBay. They have all the right dacals, and such, and I know they are the correct buckles. Thats why Im confused. So were they just not available for the Chevelles? The dates on the belts say 65. I am familiar with the retracts you have. I had them on my Malibu hardtop.

The retractor box types were not available in the Chevelle in '64 or '65.

Thanks, Guys. I had hoped the plastic retractor style was correct as I have a set out of a 66 chevelle wagon in aqua in mint condition and had hoped to put the into my El Camino well I guess the search is on. Thanks, Stan