Here I was: a cold beer, christmas season, a 67 coupe, and some seatbelts to refurbish. I started to take the seatbelt plastic covers off and cracked the plastic on each one. I tried using a screwdriver to pry them off gently but it didn't work. Now I found out they're $21.95 apiece + shipping from Classic, and am now wishing I didn't break all of them. The only thing that made me feel better was another beer. Sigh.

Does anyone have a good n safe working method for getting them off? It looks impossible...

Small screwdriver to wedge the sides a little so the tab on the side clears, then do the other side. A little at a time. Then pry the cover off from the thick end, there are tabs that hold the thin end into slots on the chrome base. I think a little bath in boiling water will help make the plastic a little more flexible.

hair dryer to heat up and soften the plastice might help too :)

Instead of a screwdriver, use a butter knife.

Have those always been that expensive? I don't remember paying that much on the last car I did. It takes 7 buckel covers for a 69 coupe. I don't think I payed 150 bucks for buckel covers.

I had my best success when I realized I had to gently spread both sides at once. Trying to do one side at a time didn't work for me because when I tried to do the second side, the tab holding the first side would pop back into place. Back and forth, back and forth -aaaagggh! You can see the tabs that hold the covers in place when you start to spread the sides. The secret is to BE PATIENT!

As for the covers, keep an eye on eBay for used seat belts or covers. I picked up four covers for less than 10 bucks just a few weeks ago. Three of the four are in better shape than the ones I had in my car. Best yet, they are original GM, not repops. Picked up some really nice push buttons in the last month also - dirt cheap! As much as I like to look in the 1st gen parts catalogs, if you're not in a real hurry eBay still has some great deals. Having said that, I'm still looking for a decent original battery tray that is less than $150. Why a good used battery tray is more expensive than good used fenders is beyond me. Oh well!