This subject is definitely a head scratcher. I now suspect that the statements “never had covers” and “always had covers” are both incorrect. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle and this thread will be right up there with the “what is the correct wiper blades?” and “What is the correct radio?” thread debates.
These types of discussions are fun and one of the main reasons why I like to participate on the forum.
Over the weekend our San Diego group put our heads together to try to narrow down seatbelt originality.
First off, Box 43 on there data card (upper right corner) indicates the safety belt option that came with your car.
43(-) - No belts (Dealer installed?)
43(0) – Safety Belt 3 point (Kangol, France Only)
43(1) - Safety Belts, 2 point
43(2) – Safety Belts, 2 point
43(4) – Safety Belts, US- version
43(5) - Safety Belts, US- version
The above information comes from the Parts Book mentioned below.
I went over several data cards that have been posted here on the forum as well as our local group’s.
49er, Neelryc, JonB, TylerS, mine and several others had no code in Box 43 except for one. The one that had the code was an early 250sl. It had code 43(4) in the box. At this time I do not know if they were lap belts or 3 point static. I am guessing lap belts because I was told that US 250sl’s did not ship 3 point static belts from the factory. Can anybody confirm?
So it would seem many of these belts were installed at the dealer. Did they have different versions to choose from? Just what’s available?
TheLew’s early 250sl pic above throws a wrench in the above premise. However, are we absolutely certain that his belts are original? How do we know if he didn’t upgrade later on? How did he get 3 point static for a 250? Did he special order? Data Card? I would like to see the manufaturering data on belt itself. Hopefully he can chime in on this.
For discussion purposes we need to consider several things – Factory Installed, Special Order, Dealer Installed, US vs Euro, Replacements, and different versions.
Just a note, an original USA Version 250sl & 280sl edition A 1972 10808 parts book was reviewed and the only reference to seatbelts was the SA55686 code that Pawel referenced above. However, there were no pictures or part numbers for the belts. Other early parts books were reviewed and there were no references to seat belts at all.
I came across this post by Scoot in 2008 that has much info about the belts.
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=9986.0An excerpt
“If they are chrome (particularly for the shoulder) they also have a big chrome bolt holding it in and the head of the bolt is "thin" compared to most bolts. A thicker-headed bolt would be used in other locations where it is not visible. On later cars, the shoulder connector would be covered with a plastic thing like in the pictures above. In this case the connector and bolt would probably not be chrome. “
So it would seem there are at least two versions of the 3 point static belts. Early version has thin chrome bolt and does not have the plastic cap and the later version of none chrome bolt that cap can fit on.
As a data point, one of our group’s cars is a Sept 69 280sl with the non chromed bolt on the B pillar which would suggest that a plastic cap was required. If I remember correctly, Neelryc’s car is a ~Feb 69 280sl and has the chrome bolt which didn’t come with the cap. So we sort of narrowing in on the date range.
Also, to confuse things even more, since the belts seemed to be mostly dealer installed who knows what belts they had on hand at the time, all parts installed, etc.
If possible, it would be great if people could post their data card code, seat belt type, US/Euro, Year and the manufaturering date on the tag on the belt. It will be the black/white tag (not red color Kangol) with the date in the lower right hand corner. The tag may also indicate "This belt conforms to US Federal Moto Vehicle Safety etc".
There is much more to all of this and once again I learned something new about the pagoda 😊 I look forward to other’s opinions.
I have attached a picture of my B pillar belt hardware.
