Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Still trying to buckle up a 1955 400
I understand that the modern stile retractable type safety belts is the best way to go, but I would like to preserve what was “factory” at the time. It seems to me that the cable method may have a very early version used to fasten the buckle ends to the floor. Switching to a bracket above the carpet and behind the front seat would require fewer parts and maybe less labor. Eliminating the cable, ends, extra hole, tubular ferrules, labor to sew a loop to hold the ferrules. All replaced by two brackets that were most likely produced with the same tooling used for the door brackets. Also, the square reenforcing plates are slotted. For what purpose except to hold the cable? So, if there are any instructions on how to install a cable system, may factory to dealer? Lacking proper instructions, I would inquire if anyone would have a set of floor brackets they would like to sell, I would be interested.
Happy

I don't have a full set of instructions -- just a photo of half a folded page that was posted on the ebay original belt offering and what little is visible mentions nothing about any cables.




I'd be surprised if you find any original brackets -- at least not in very decent shape. Even when new, the belts didn't seem to be a popular option so finding a parts car might prove difficult and finding a NOS belt offering on ebay is even rarer. I think I have seen two such offers over several years. Is there any chance new cables could be installed or securely fastened onto the remains of the old cables using something like crimp on wire rope coupling or swaging sleeve? Perhaps the repair and swage could be hidden in a custom made fabric sleeve or even one of the plastic sleeves most belt places sell for use with bucket seats. If you cannot figure out a better solution with the cables perhaps visiting a site such as Wesco Performance would give some ideas toward a new belt system. The plastic sleeve is shown on the belt hardware page. There are several other companies that have decent and slightly different belts too.

Not knowing what pieces of the original you still have to work with presents a challenge in offering suggestions. I believe the original buckles are similar to Wesco's chrome buckle lift lever series and if you can find a color out of the 30 they offer that is comparable to what you have perhaps ordering a new set of lap belts would provide a buckle that is appropriate along with new brackets. Of course you won't find any modern brackets that mount to the door end as the original but perhaps something could be fabricated or even a new floor bracket could be bent and reworked to sort of match the original used on the door, Possibly a local upholstery shop could sew it on your existing belts or another option might be to order new but longer belts than needed so the upholstery shop could remove the original hardware and cut the new buckle off the longer belts and install the original hardware back on the new belts.

Thank you for your interest and comments. When I received the car, the safety belts were still in place. The carpets were gone. MY BIG MASTAKE was to think that I would remember how it all went together. The door belts were a no brainer and fastening the reenforcing plates is also not a problem. I have obtained the correct plastic-coated wire and cable ball ends same as original. Sewing the heavy webbing is not a problem. The image of the instruction sheet is most likely just what I would be looking for. I would consider it a miracle if one were still around, but “hope springs eternal”
Happy

PS After looking closely at the lower section of the instruction sheet it shows a bracket on top of the carpet.