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Seat Belt Options

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B

BEEJAY7

Jedi Warrior
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After 2 and a half years I am nearing completion of a "nut & bolt" rebuild of my 62 BJ7 and I now have to decide which type of front seat belts to fit.

I am considering inertia reel belts or the traditional static lap and diagonal belts.

Any advice or practical experience from the group?

Alan (UK)
 
Alan, I agree with Reid, use the static ones. I have used them for many years and have been happy with them. They do not look out of place in the car, and only have to adjust them when wearing the heavier clothing that we must wear every now and again in the Northland.
 
Alan,

I'd recommend something appropriate for the period when your car was made. Unless it's a safety issue or reliability issue, I would pretty much always recommend "period correct" parts ans accessories. This will help to preserve the overall value and authenticity of the car.

Obviously with seat belts we ARE talking about a safety issue, but the "period correct" static belts, manually adjusted style, are "correct" and so that's what I would recommend.

Inertia reel types are fine but "look" like the 1970s or so (I think of a late TR6 when I think of inertia reel belts in a British sports car), and unless you have a string personal preference I'd say keep it period correct! Good luck.
 
Hi,

I agree with AHCUSA and HEALEYMANCA regarding seat belt styles for early cars, but are there any old style seat belts available that are preferred over others? Quality, functionality, looks, ease of installation, etc....?

Thanks,

Scooter
 
Simpson 3" latch & link lap belts are "period" items and available brand new.
Anybody that would've fitted seat belts in the 50's probably did it for competition events.
 

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Alan,

I got a set of new old stock 1960's vintage belts from Cape for my BN1. A bit 'new' for may car but probably spot on for you. Fitting just involved drilling three holes for each belt.

england.gif
 
BOUGHT A SET OF BELTS FROM J. C. WHITNEY. NOT VERY EXPENSIVE, AND THEY HAVE THE 60'S LOOK FOR MY 100 6 BN 4. I ATTACHED THE BUCKLE END OF SEATBELT INBOARD, SO THAT WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, THE BUCKLE WOULD NOT FALL OUT AND SCRATCH THE DOOR SILL, OR WORSE, SLAM THE BUCKLE WHEN SHUTTING THE DOOR
 

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Alan,

The seatbelts I mentioned that I got from Cape look very similar to the bottom set on the photo on the link provided by scooter. Capes webbing is grey. The 'sister hook' enables me to thread them under or over the hood on my BN1, depending on if it is up or down (probably not a consideration for your Healey).
 
My '67 BJ8 came from the previous owner with serviceable non retractable lap belts that look authentic till you look on the back and there is a US flag and mfr. name sewed there. Not a priority, but I will want to go more original eventually, so this thread is great.

Meantime, has anyone tried fitting seat belts in the back to accommodate a small child? This is a bit contradictory with my previous comment, but safety and Mummy will end up being the priority here...any suggestions?

Canuck
'67 BJ8
'84 Mercedes 300SD (gotta have a winter beater, might as well be a Benz)
 
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