Does anyone know if seatbelts were standard in the 1966 Malibu? I've heard both 'yes' and 'no'.

Thanks.

I believe one of the dealer brochures mentions that seat belts are "standard equipment" for 1966. I dont have it handy, or I would verify that for you.

Dual front & rear seat belts were standard in '66, along with backup lights, padded dash, outside rearview mirror, inside shatter-proof rearview mirror, dual padded sunvisors, and 2-speed wipers with washers. A running addition were shoulder belt anchor points under the headliner. Shoulder belts were an option until being made standard for '68 (except convertibles). Headrests were an uncommon option.
More was added to that list for '67, '68, '69...

Seat belts could be deleted for credit, but I think the days of doing that were over by '68. Headrests were made standard with the start of the '69 model production although they weren't technically required until January 1st, 1969. They could be deleted up to that point.

One could write a small book on all the safety requirements, if you want to get technical.

Those are great responses. Thanks very much for the info.
I'm considering a '66 Malibu for my son but it doesn't have seatbelts which the owner claims weren't available in '66. This wil be another bargaining chip.

Thanks again.

I also concerned with safety in daily driving, how do you add a shoulder belt to a car that only has a lap belt? (1966 chevelle) without converting your car into a racing car. just a lap belt just holds you in the car.

frank

Originally posted by Frank66:
I also concerned with safety in daily driving, how do you add a shoulder belt to a car that only has a lap belt? (1966 chevelle) without converting your car into a racing car. just a lap belt just holds you in the car.

frank You might give Andover (http://www.andoauto.com/retrofit.htm) a call at (410) 381-6700 9-6 EST. They make a retrofit shoulder harness kit.

My 66 Malibu didn't have belts. Probably deleted. The previous owner was nice enough to put in lap belts though. At least for the front. I'm probably going to go the shoulder strap route also. If you get it done any time soon could you post some pics? Thanks.

I have a similar concern for my '65...what I'm wondering though is if it is even possible to put shoulder belts in my '65. It's a non-post car so there doesn't seem to be an appropriate place to put the shoulder belt anchor. Any ideas?

--rO

Frank,
Understand your concern for safety. I would recommend you peel back the headliner on one side over the other and inspect the shoulder belt anchor point (they are there) and determine the type of bolt and hardware you'll need. Then contact Andover and look for a belt that will work.

Since my car did not come with shoulder belts and I try to maintain the original look, I've set up a removable system. I use a military "load bearing equipment( LBE)" suspenders. They are used to hold up the pistol belt. About $20.00 in a military surplus cataloge, less at a swap meet. I connect the two front shoulder straps to the front lap belt by using snap links,(carbiners). I just slide the lap belt through the snaplinks. I connect the rear straps to the fastened rear seat belt using one snap link. I then tighten down the adjusting straps so my face will not ruin my steering wheel.
Its like being straped down in a racing system.

does this go for a '65 Chevelle as well or just a '66? It'd be a shame to peel back the headliner to find that it isn't there.

--rO

yes i'm interested also for my 66. i have buckets with no lock backrest and with the seatbelt law in effect i don't need to be pulled over every day because they don't see a shoulder harness, even if i have the lap belt on. :confused: