To dps214 i say I should have specified in the thread title that I'm asking in the context of the $2000 Challenge, so Challenge rules apply.
To SVreX and Pete, i say let's look at what's written, not what you think is implied or intended.
https://2000challenge.com/rules/ states:
OEM three-point seat belts may be retained.
"may", not "shall" or "must". So it is established that OEM three-point seat belts may be replaced. No mention of what they may be replaced with. We'll get to that later.
The next statement is a two-possibility OR, so let's look at each of the possibilities:
If the OEM belt is not three-point
we have already established that late model Corvairs were available with three-point seat belts, so we can disregard that;
or if the driver’s seating position has been modified significantly
driver's seating position has NOT been modified significantly, so we can disregard that. those are the only two conditions which require racing harness, so we have now fully established that i DO NOT require a racing harness, and i MAY either retain or replace my OEM three-point seat belts. Do you agree?
if you can't answer YES to that question, please leave the chat, because you're who Strother Martin was talking about when he said "Some men you just cain't reach."
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So, now we are all on the same page. i MAY replace my OEM three-point seat belts. So let's consider what would be an appropriate replacement. Perhaps a seat belt from a later vehicle, which satisfies the latest Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) in effect at the time of production? Yes, that's what I SHALL do.
FMVSS 209 (effective 01-Mar-1967) is the current standard for seat belt assemblies (straps, webbing, buckles, fasteners).
FMVSS 210 (effective 01-Jan-1968) is the current standard for seat belt anchorage (components other than straps or webbing, involved in transferring seat belt loads to vehicle structure).
and because I think it's interesting info, Here's a handy link to a summary of all FMVSS. Scroll down to see summary descriptions and effective dates for all FMVSS, broken down by type. The 100-series deal with crash avoidance. The 200-series, crashworthiness. And the 300-series are post-crash standards.
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and with that, i will spend no more time addressing this topic.
