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1972 Chevelle SS dash seatbelt warning light replacement?

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idiot light indicator lens seatbelt light warning lamp warning lights
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ballisticlemonz

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello all! This is my first time posting in these forums as I created this account to post this very question! (These forums already have been a big help!)

I am in the process of restoring a 1972 SS Chevelle round gauge dash with the seatbelt warning light by the lighter. The problem is the lens for the "Fasten Seat Belts" is missing! I have read from other forums that this piece is supposed to be molded into the dash itself, however, I really do not know much information about the lens at all besides it being consistent with the 1972 model year and the dash harness being different to accommodate for it.

My question is does anyone know where to get a replacement lens for it? I have contacted OPGI, ss396, and Ausley's Chevelle to no avail. I have also tried to scour the internet to try and find a replacement as well such as an OEM lens. Maybe a different lens can be modified and put into its place?

Thank you in advance!
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
72chevelleconv$$ said:
I have two spare 72 conv dashes. Was going too offer a lense. Just checked and both are missing the lense :( old school emogi.
It appears harness light assy screws in.
Click to expand...
No worries! I appreciate the effort! After a little more searching and digging just about everywhere online. I was able to finally find a gentleman who was parting out dash pieces and luckily still had both the bracket, screws, and lens!
It is a shame they do not make a replacement for the part. I may come back and update this post with pictures of the lens and dimensions so that others could potentially recreate it if needed.
 
#4 ·
I just came across the same problem. I guess that dash was being installed beginning December of 1971. I started restoring the dash on my '71 today and I have the DAMAGED parts. Looking for a replacement and you are right, they are not available anywhere. I'll attach a pic incase anybody is wondering what it looks like so they can maybe make their own replacement.
 

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#5 ·
I would save that bent bracket and screws. I once had to make a lens for one of those. Eventually someone might make them. The one I made did not have the Fasten Seatbelt printed on it. It was a deep red piece of thin plastic that the light shinned through. Looked ok.
 
#7 ·
I remember the loud buzzer & warning light starting with the 72's. It started as soon as you sat down and inserted the key. BUZZZZ! Some folks back then just left the buckles coupled, but I've also read that it draws a current to do so.
 
#8 ·
RealRed70 said:
I can post a picture of an actual lens tomorrow if someone doesn't sooner.
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Please do.

The tricky part is matching the font.

I had John and Tammy @ Redline make me a custom dummy light with lens material I provided years ago. I was happy, but the font just wasn't quite on par with the GM warning fonts. If one can get a good clear scan of an original, that can be "reverse engineered" to make a template.
 
#9 ·
Cam said:
I remember the loud buzzer & warning light starting with the 72's. It started as soon as you sat down and inserted the key. BUZZZZ! Some folks back then just left the buckles coupled, but I've also read that it draws a current to do so.
Click to expand...
The easier way is to unplug the wire from the seatbelt mounting at the base of the seat.
 
#14 ·
All I remember about sitting in brand new 1972 cars was that it was a buzz. Make that an annoying buzz. The buzzer that sounded as soon as you parked your behind in the seat. BUZZZZZ! Many people hated them and disabled them when the cars were new. I'll bet more than a few '72 owners have found their seat belt buzzers crudely disabled sometime in the past by whatever expedient means it took to shut the thing up.

Personally I just wear the seat belt. I don't like not wearing one.

I think the buzzer and seat belt warning light were a running change added to the 1972 models for January 1, 1972 compliance. It was that time they combined the shoulder belt and lap belt to both fasten into a single female buckle (rather than extra buckles like the 1968-71 models).
 
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