Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[FAB Cruiser]

Hi Guys,

I’m new to this forum but I’ve already checked out the earlier posts on seat belts.

Anyway, here’s my questions which I’d appreciate any advice on.

Which sort of seatbelts would be the most appropriate / authentic on a 1957 Zephyr? E.g. fixed or inertia (yes I know it looks better without them but I have kids…)

Can anyone recommend installers? Quickfit offer a good service with coloured webbing / chrome etc. but they’re quite expensive. I’ve been recommended a mobile service called ‘auto-safe’ but they’re not responding to my emails or phone calls (they answered once and promised to send me samples which haven’t arrived yet).

Are they’re any specific tips on mounting in a MKII? I’d really appreciate some photos on how it might look with the bench seats.

Many thanks
David

[47p2]

Hi David and welcome.
I don't know anything about ‘auto-safe’ but if they can't take the time to reply to emails or send you samples then I would certainly give them a miss.

You say Quickfit are expensive but I have heard they know their stuff and have a good reputation. At the end of the day I suppose you can't put a price on lives and if it were me I would go to the people who know...
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[peter scott]

Hi David,

A tricky choice. I think interia reel belts don't appear until a bit later than 1957 but I guess they would be less obvious than straight belts that always looked messy and would stick out a mile.

Peter

[Penman]

Hi
I am fairly certain that '57 seat belts would have been fixed after market ones, probably with tails not stalks. (don't think there were any built-in mountings either).

Remember that if you do use static belts they should cross over the tunnel, short end for driver mounts on nearside of tunnel/floor and vice-versa.

[Uncle Joe]

Probably the most authentic seat belt for a 1957 car would be the lap type. These were offered as an option on US Fords as far back as 1955 or so. There is also an inertia reel version of these that is not so obtrusive as to be noticable.

I'm not for one minute saying that they are as good as lap and diagonals though, but if they are approved for aircraft....

[Riley Blue]

I have the same problem with my '63 Riley 1.5.

Quick Fit belts are expensive but will keep the period look so that's probably what I'll go for.

I haven't heard of Auto Safe, I imagine this is them:
http://www.auto-safe.co.uk/main.htm

[Rich5ltr]

I will comment on this because I used Quickfit SBS to fit belts to my 1958 Aston a few months ago and I would thouroughly recommend them for the following reasons; i) They have a good understanding of what classic car owners require ii) they will discuss mounting ideas with you and fit them as discretely as possible. iii) They have various webbing types and colours iv) their work is excellent, my car was recently in with an Aston specialist for some work and the proprietor commented that the fitting plates were very strong and well mounted. The total cost of belts in my Aston was about £650, well worth it in my opinion for a quality job. Oh and I decided to go for fixed belts with chrome buckles and fittings.

Ask for this chap Pawel Podchorodecki (pronounced Pavel)

[FAB Cruiser]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I'm booked in with Quickfit next Wednesday.

I'd still appreciate any further suggestions on what's best for the car as I'm going to decide on the day when I see their range if fittings.

David

[Rick]

I think a static lap + diagonal would be spot on for your Mk2, I'd never use just a lap belt if I had the choice (I know planes have 'em but I don't like them much!!)

R
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[Uncle Joe]

Well, from what I understand about seat belts, in a car, the lap type are more or less useless as regards saving lives. Therefore, the lap and diagonal type must be better.

There is one question though. Are seat belts being fitted to look authentic, or to be a safety aid?

Dont forget also that lap belts are the ONLY option in some cars, due to the lack of an ''approved'' upper mounting for them. If you think about things, there are very few older vehicles that can have such a mounting...

[Rich5ltr]

But looking authentic and being effective are not mutually exclusive - QuickfitSBS are good at making the installation secure and effective whilst maintaining the appearance of the interior. As I said, my Aston is serviced by a specialist who also races DB2s (and prepares customer race cars) and he commented that the work was carried out to a high standard. As he fits racing harnesses to these cars I have no doubt he would have said so if he was not impressed or if he thought the intalla tion was dangerous.

Taking your point about fitting the diagonal strap; Quickfit fabricated a triangular mount which fitted into the space between the rear wheel arch and the door pillar, the strap is then fitted directly to this through the trim so no one single point is taking all the stress. The picture is not very good but it gives an idea of their work, as you can see it's not just a case of bolting the belt bracket to the 50 year old wheel arch!

[Uncle Joe]

Depending on exactly where the former is fitted, that would be illegal here. Its a bit difficult to explain, but the fixing of the diagonal has to be at shoulder height or above. If this is impossible, then it can enter the pillar at this height, and go down to a lower fixing point, ie on the floor.

Such a fitting is impossible on, for example, hardtops (pillarless coupés).

[Rich5ltr]

[Uncle Joe]

Sorry Rich, didnt see the picture...

In my defence, I was thinking more about my two hardtops. Both of them have a seat belt dispensation, as they are considered to be more dangerous WITH seat belts than without. I'd love to see a picture of the finished result if possible.

[Rich5ltr]