<VV> Why "crossed" lap belts?

[DTerry8123 at aol.com]

Here is my take. on the seat belt question.
 
In 1963, my father bought a new '63 4 door Monza. We did not order  
seatbelts. For Christmas that year, I ordered a set of front belts from the  Chevy 
dealer for his Christmas gift. The instructions said to install them so  the 
inboard belts cross over. That's the way I did it.
 
In 1966, My brother bought a new '66 Monza coupe. By then the belts were  
standard equipment. His belts were not crossed over even though the owner's  
manual described them that way.
 
Also in 1966 I bought my used  '65 Corsa. My belts were not crossed  over, 
and the owner's manual doesn't mention they should be cross. I crossed  them 
over anyway, because I never liked the way the belts rubbed on the plastic  
trim when they were not crossed.
 
In the mid 1970's, I bought an NOS set of belts for my Corsa. The  
instructions, labeled "1966 General Motors replacement seat belts", do not  mention 
being crossed over. The belts were identical to my original belts.
 
The mystery continues.
 
Dan Terry
1965 Corsa 140 coupe
Corvair Atlanta
 
 
In a message dated 11/2/2011 1:58:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
hmlinc at sbcglobal.net writes:

The '66  Owner's Guide - on page 19 - says...  "With bucket seats, the 
inner  
belt half is anchored behind the opposite seat."

I'm sure the '65  guide says the same thing - but the '66 one was closer at 
hand at the  moment.

I don't have an owner guide for models prior to  '65.

Later, JR