BMC Kangol seatbelts

Author
Discussion

chappj

Original Poster:

312 posts

144 months

Friday 12th April 2019
quotequote all
I have an MGB fitted with the original BMC Kangol fixed seatbelts (magnetic hook style). The plastic release latch on both are broken and I’m struggling to source replacements.

Does anybody know of somewhere that might sell these? They seem to have been commonly used across the entire BMC/Jag range for period.

Thanks

Riley Blue

20,977 posts

227 months

Friday 12th April 2019
quotequote all
Only place I can think of who might be able to help: https://www.quickfitsbs.com/index.php

tapkaJohnD

1,944 posts

205 months

Friday 12th April 2019
quotequote all
chappj,
Any OE seatbelts will be at least 40 years old.

Suggest you find some new ones. For your safety and that of your passenger.
John

crankedup

25,764 posts

244 months

Friday 12th April 2019
quotequote all
+ 1 with Riley and Tap.

chappj

Original Poster:

312 posts

144 months

Friday 12th April 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. I’ll checkout quickfit.

My aim was to retain the original buckles but have new webbing made for them so that the safety element was better (trying to keep the car as original as poss)

Stegel

1,955 posts

175 months

Saturday 13th April 2019
quotequote all
Not my link (it’s from the guy with a BMW 650 on readers’ rides, for which he had new straps made) but I saved their address as I thought they could be of use in the future.

http://www.fdts-seatbelts.co.uk




Crosswise

410 posts

187 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
quotequote all
Used ones in varying condition and completeness turn up on ebay all the time. You can also buy reproduction stickers for them. If you just need a buckle it should be easy enough to find them. Sometimes new old stock sets come up on eBay and usually sell for a lot of money. I've heard FDTS come highly recommended on a number of forums, although I haven't used them myself they would certainly be my choice for having your originals refurbished.

I can fully understand some people would want to replace their belts with with modern ones. I however, detest the look of modern belts in a classic car and I really object to the suggestion that it's irresponsible of the owner to retain the original belts.

chappj

Original Poster:

312 posts

144 months

Sunday 14th April 2019
quotequote all
FTDS look promising for the refurb. I’ll give them a call next week (will let you know how I get on).

I’ve been trawling eBay for a few weeks now; sounds like I just need to be more patient. I’d managed to find that sticker company for the blue BMC logo.

I must say it’s my preference too for the car to have original seat belts. Once the webbing has been replaced I can’t see how they are any less safe than modern ones?

Lotobear

6,366 posts

129 months

Monday 15th April 2019
quotequote all
There was a guy selling army surplus Kangol Magnet Reflex belts on Ebay a few years ago and I bought a set for a very reasonable £115 for my my Elan.

In the end I managed to get my existing belts re made as a favour by an ex Kangol employee using new webbing and the existing hardware (but with new modern inertia reels) so I sold the NOS ones on. The ashes of Kangol shut down in Carlisle some years ago and the operation was sent to Romania (ahh, Globalisation!). I always dreamt of finding a load of boxes of un used fittings on the old site but alas it's flats now!

I may still have some bits and bobs in the garage - will have a look.

Otherwise, Mick Miller Classic Lotus may have some fittings and also be able to provide a re webbing service (as others have said they were used on many cars)

chappj

Original Poster:

312 posts

144 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
Thanks LotoBear. Pls do let me know if you do have any spares. Here is a photo of the buckle I need (everything else is ok)



crofty1984

15,871 posts

205 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
I think you might struggle to find ones with the ringer silent sticker.

Lotobear

6,366 posts

129 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
Sorry OP, checked this evening and I have a few bits of the chrome plated hardware but not the magnetic lift bit (except for half a broken one!)

chappj

Original Poster:

312 posts

144 months

Wednesday 17th April 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for checking. Much appreciated.


droopsnoot

11,963 posts

243 months

Thursday 18th April 2019
quotequote all
Stegel said:
Not my link (it’s from the guy with a BMW 650 on readers’ rides, for which he had new straps made) but I saved their address as I thought they could be of use in the future.

http://www.fdts-seatbelts.co.uk
I used them for the seatbelts in my recent restoration, a cracking job.

Riley Blue

20,977 posts

227 months

Thursday 18th April 2019
quotequote all
BTW, you can print on foil labels with a laser printer though I've never done it so don't know how durable it would be:

https://uk.onlinelabels.com/metallic_laser_labels....