Seatbelts in Classics

[Nampahc Niloc]

So I am in the market for a classic saloon, something that the whole family of four can go out in. So far I have considered anything from a VW beetle, to a Jag Mk2, to a Austin A40 Somerset. However I want to know that the family will be safe when we’re out and about.

What are people’s thoughts on installing seatbelts in classics?

Are there ways to do it safely but still in keeping with the car?

What would it do to the cars value? Would it matter if they could be removed later for resale? I’m not one of those people who buy cars as an investment; I’m very much the enthusiast, but it would be nice if it at least maintained its value for when I fancy a change.

Early cars lack head rests- how dangerous could this be with a seat belt (whiplash etc)? Presumably not as dangerous as not wearing a seatbelt.

Any other comments on the subject are welcome.

[Jag_NE]

I bought a 4 seat classic so we could use it as a family. Unsure if this applies to you but as I only use it in fair weather, 6 months of the year, there are only so many “high days” that you get out for as a family, most of the time we just use a regular car as we need to get to places with minimum fuss on a weekend. On that basis, I wouldn’t stress about seatbelts not being present as your usage may be quite low. Obviously it’s safer having belts, but for 500 miles a year at likely low speeds, it isn’t that dangerous.

[tog]

I have a four seat classic and once we put seat belts in we immediately got back to using it as a family as much as my wife and I had done before we had kids. As long as the belts are fitted properly and neatly I can't see it affecting the value negatively, in fact its more likely to be a positive. There is no requirement to fit belts to a car if they weren't fitted originally, but I find their mother is much happier to let them out in cars with rear belts. She was ok with short trips, but now they're fitted we've done family holidays to Spain, France several times, half-terms in Snowdonia and Yorkshire, and all manner of local trips to the shops, days out, etc. It's their favourite car, I think they realise that driving a classic means being different to most other people. And it's easy to spot in the car park.

[Dogwatch]

Back in the '60s when new cars had seat belt anchorages but the belts weren't then compulsory it was, if you were bothered (I was), quite common to fit seat belt kits to new cars. Initially they were static belts but later the retractable type still in use today became available. I fitted several family cars both new (parent's) and used (mine!).

Given the safety improvements and traffic speed and volume increases since then I would have no hesitation in fitting seat belts. They would at least stop me being thrown about, as one did when I lost an argument with a concrete lamppost in an 1100.

[a8hex]

I had seat belts fitted front and rear when I bought an XK150 so I could safely carry the kids.

I'd talk to Quick Fit they did mine and when I was discussing the changes to the law with the Dept for Transport they said that Quick Fit were who they always talked to as well.

[TooMany2cvs]

Nampahc Niloc said:

What are people’s thoughts on installing seatbelts in classics?

Anything post-65 will have 'em in the front anyway. Rear mounts will probably be there on most 70s stuff, but not on earlier.

Nampahc Niloc said:

Are there ways to do it safely but still in keeping with the car?

Yes, absolutely. Just need to fit sufficiently strong mounts to floor/sill/pillar/rear shelf, and modify the trim slightly. It's going to be slightly weldy, but unless you've got something utterly concours and unique, nobody sane's going to complain.

Nampahc Niloc said:

What would it do to the cars value?

If anything, enhance it.

Nampahc Niloc said:

Would it matter if they could be removed later for resale?

The mounts will still be there, and you'll be left with visible trim holes.

Nampahc Niloc said:

Early cars lack head rests- how dangerous could this be with a seat belt (whiplash etc)? Presumably not as dangerous as not wearing a seatbelt.

Seatbelts were a legal requirement from the 60s. There were new cars on the market with lowback seats into the 1990s.

[Riley Blue]

Nampahc Niloc said:

So I am in the market for a classic saloon, something that the whole family of four can go out in. So far I have considered anything from a VW beetle, to a Jag Mk2, to a Austin A40 Somerset. However I want to know that the family will be safe when we’re out and about.

What are people’s thoughts on installing seatbelts in classics?

A very good idea.

Nampahc Niloc said:

Are there ways to do it safely but still in keeping with the car?

Usually yes, often mounting points are fitted during manufacture so it's just a case of buying and bolting them in place. As has been mentioned, Quickfit can supply period style belts but http://www.securon.co.uk/applications/seat_belts_a... also list some for classic cars, I have theirs in my '63 Riley.

Nampahc Niloc said:

What would it do to the cars value? Would it matter if they could be removed later for resale? I’m not one of those people who buy cars as an investment; I’m very much the enthusiast, but it would be nice if it at least maintained its value for when I fancy a change.

If anything will increase car's value though I'd have thought not by a great deal.

Nampahc Niloc said:

Early cars lack head rests - how dangerous could this be with a seat belt (whiplash etc)? Presumably not as dangerous as not wearing a seatbelt.

I'd rather be belted and risk whiplash than decorate the windscreen with my face. You could always change the front seats to some with head restraints, as I have. I bought a pair of MGF seats for peanuts on Ebay and had them re-trimmed to match the rear https://newtoncomm.co.uk/products/leather-front-se...

[grumpy52]

How does the law stand on retro fitted belts .
When the law came in for compulsory wearing for front seat belts the laws covered the spec for belts and the mountings .
Some over enthusiastic traf pol in Bedfordshire pulled a few of us with full harness belts and got all pedantic about mounting points not in accordance B.S. specs .

[pancakedan]

Fitting rear seatbelt's was one of the first things I did when I got my 70's saloon as I wouldn't take the kids in the back without them. Simple job especially if the mounting points are already there.

Edited by pancakedan on Thursday 11th October 14:29