Early Seat Belts - Original?

[Duffman]

I am cleaning out parts for and from my 1/70 Z. I was looking at the seat belts and noticed that they had some very early dates stamped on them; 7/69 on one set and 8/69 on the other set. Interesting stuff written on the label; Datsun Rear part #TK-656-34A, manufacturer is Takata Kojyo Co, Ltd. I have to believe that these came with the car (I am 3rd owner). I am surprised by the early dates.

Any comments/input?

[Mike B]

They look different to me. I would guess they are from another Datsun Model. All of the original 240Z seatbelt tags I have seen say "Datsun 240Z Sports" on them. Here is a picture I borrowed from a post by 26th-Z.

-Mike

[Arne]

Where is the third belt? I don't see the shoulder belt, nor the spot on the latch tab to attach it. Also note that the tag says "Rear". Are those rear lap belts from some sedan?

[Duffman]

This is all that was in the car, Arne, assumed they were original. There were no shoulder belts, just the lap belts in the car. Now I am thinking that a prior owner replaced the existing belts with these at some time. Not sure why.

[d240zx2]

Duffman said: Not sure why.

I can offer one reason. Belt fraying. When adjusting the belt from the inboard side (with the latch), you slide the serrated roller against the belt. Over time, that frays the belt, and causes belt fibers to embed and wrap around the roller. Eventually, the belt becomes frozen and will not allow any adjustment.

Frank

[EScanlon]

The pic does not show the notch for the shoulder belt, that does not mean there isn't one. This style belt had a different method to connect the shoulder belt to the latch than the raised rivet into the "keyhole" that the later Z's used. This style had a curved "horn" with an open gateway on the belt latch to allow the shoulder belt end to slip in to the gateway.

The buckle is correct, AFAIK, for the very early Z's and also the Sports (aka Roadster). (i.e. lift buckle rather than push button)

The "rear" designation would probably apply if these were part of the sets originally produced for the 1200, the 510, the 411 or one of the other 4 seat vehicles that Datsun was producing then.

FWIW

E

[Mike B]

The buckle is correct, AFAIK, for the very early Z's and also the Sports (aka Roadster). (i.e. lift buckle rather than push button)

Actually, I think the buckle is different. Here are a couple of pictures from an early seatbelt set on eBay now. The early buckle is all black and the one that Duffman has looks silver. Even if someone stripped all the paint off, the release latch on Duffman's looks much longer. The attachment anchors on the eBay 240Z set are also triangular and the other set is not.

-Mike

[26th-Z]

Very interesting find, Duffman! They most certainly ARE original...to something other than an S30. Here are a couple of pictures to use and compare. The triangular mounting tabs differences were correctly noticed. I think the paint scheme for your belt buckles is directly opposite from the paint scheme on the S30 belt buckles. The lift portion should be smooth and the center is textured?

I love the label.

[Duffman]

Would love to know when these were installed, and why aren't the correct belts in place. Oh well, another mystery that will not be solved!

I have switched to the new MSA retractable lap and shoulder belt combo, so will put these in storage ...

[geezer]

I have switched to the new MSA retractable lap and shoulder belt combo, so will put these in storage ...

Put them on Ebay...EXTREEMLY RARE!!...well, who else has 'em?

I would agree the label suggests they came from a car with a back seat.

Edited January 22, 2009 by geezer

[Duffman]

Good point, Ron, based upon the other "rare" items one can find on Ebay, this would be a true "find"!!!