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1963 bj7 rear interior trim

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I doubt that our Healeys are going to do real well on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, but my thinking is something is better than nothing. I went with the 3-point belts over the lap belts. My reasoning is that without a shoulder restraint the odds of my head smashing into something hard and unfriendly would be increased dramatically. For obvious reasons, the steering column is nicknamed "the javelin" and I'd prefer not to be skewered through the chest like some extra in "Spartacus". If you look in the Moss Motors catalog they sell a 3-point belt for Healeys at reasonable cost. They also advertise a retractable belt, but I don't believe the shoulder strap retractor will mount to the two studs in the rear interior panel.
 
rick that makes perfect sense to me...better a bit more than less. is there a better supplier for the seat belts?. seems everthing i buy is minimal to say the least. just got through affixing the "seal kit" to the tunnel....some kit! a roll of foam rubber and a few screws and very small grommets! oh well...
 
I know British Car Specialists (BCS) https://britishcarspecialists.com/ sells belts and they're a reliable parts supplier. The Moss belts are made by Beams, who've been producing belts since the 50s. https://seatbelts.net/about.php Because I wanted my belts in navy blue to match the interior of my BJ7, which isn't a standard color offered by the other suppliers) I had to have a set custom made by Beams . I bought the proper bracket for the shoulder mount on the rear interior from BCS and shipped it off to Beams who built a set of belts to my specifications. I was very happy with the quality of the belts and the customer service. However, if I wanted black belts, I'd just order them from Moss and save the effort.
 
Looking at the Beams site, I have the CH300 model or very similar to it, the end of the belt that passes over your shoulder has a one bolt fixing that affixes to the mounting position on the inner rear wing.

:cheers:

Bob
 
Max

If you use the type CH300, you will need to drill a single hole through the centre of the reinforced area on the rear wings, further more, as a word of warning, you need bolts ( probably they come with the belts) with thin heads, the bolts should be pushed through from the wheel side and the nuts applied from the cockpit side.

This is to minimise any danger of the bolts projecting into the tyre.

This can happen in certain circumstances when, for instance, cornering into a drive that leads uphill to the garage, there is so much lean on the body that a wheel can almost rub against the wheel arch. This happened to me when I first bought the car and did not realize what was happening until the first MOT test, the inside of the tyres were ruined and I had to buy another set for the rear immediately.

:cheers:

Bob
 
thanks again for all the help. i received the brackets for the squab yesterday. i also got the footmans loops and rubber carches for them. maybe my last question???? what are the dimensions of the squab....particularly the height. i assume that the bracket mounting kinda determines the thickness of the squab board with upholstery in place over it????
 
Max

I could not give out that information with any degree of certainty as my squab and covering is home made by a PO. I too would be interested in the dimensions of the plywood. The finished article must fit between the quarter panels will little or no scuffing I would guess.

All the soft upholstery is on the front of mine, I should think that there is no cushioning on the back, or very little - thin, just the vinyl covering or whatever.

:cheers:

Bob
 
im going to order the rear seat and squab upholstery and safety belts today. i will use the side mounts and overall upholstery pattern to decide what size the squab board should be.....maybe i will know in a few days. i will post with a picture. thanks again to the forum members who have helped.
 
i ordered the upholstery for the rear seats and the squab. i also ordered black three point safety belts with an adaptor to affix the two rear mounting bolts on either side. guess i will have them resew locally to the two bolts mounting ends. next to make a board and mount. i already have the footsman bracked and securing rubber....hope it all arrives maybe friday. but, most likely on monday!!
 
Max

Where did you get the adaptors for the set belt fixing from? I was considering this as a possible option before I drill the quarter panels but did not know that they existed.

:cheers:

Bob
 
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i have ordered them as well as the squab and rear seat vinyl covers from sports and classics in stamford, conn. their phone number is 203 348 2226...'bout 20 dollars per side for the adaptors. you have to have the adaptors resewn on the belts which have only a one hole end for the quarter panel two stud mounting point.
 
Bob Hughes said:
Thanks Max

I will ask around over this side of the pond.

:cheers:

Bob,
Bob
Click to expand...

The bracket for the BJ7 is the one in the lower left of the picture below:

nqb2c.jpg


They are available in the UK from https://www.quickfitsbs.com/

Cheers
 
I made the rear backrest myself, it's not particularly difficult. It would help to have an original to use as a template.
 
yes, i have everything for the rear squab but the upholstery. i hope that it will be here in a couple of days. trusting that i can determine the board based on the upholstery. my car had a carpet covered board and might have been the piece used in the original squab. i certainly hope so. you can see where the hinges were mounted...i think that the original snap locators were used for the boot! fingers crossed...one other thing...i have converted the original seats to the hendrix adaptation that leans the seat back a bit more. seems more comfortable and better seating position for me...just need to take some foam thickness from the drivers seat to lower the seating height...
 
I just noticed this thread. I live in Seneca SC and have a BJ7 with. Max, since you are nearby you are welcome to come and take pictures and measure.
 
i hope to get all my stuff by tomorrow or tuesday. could you private message me your phone number and i will call when i have everything. thank you very much! need to talk to you again about your soft top installer!!!
 
Max

Depending on the state of your thighs you need to remove about 1 - 1.5 inches of foam from the base of the new foam, to get those legs under the steering wheel.

I checked by sitting on it following the trimming before I fitted the cover back on. It has been suggested that I should core out holes in the foam as well to soften the seating bit, however I did not and find it comfortable enough as it is.

:cheers:

Bob
 
View attachment 32591yes i will most likely remove some foam from the drivers seat. it is very firm and makes me feel like i am looking over the windshield. i prefer a much lower seating position. hopefully the rest of my stuff will be delivered today. i am almost finished with the new carpet install.
 
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