Seatbelts in open top 2 seater classics
Discussion
Hi all, I'm planning on fitting some inertia type belts to my Frogeye (my wife doesn't want to travel in the car anymore without them) I've found original AH installation instructions for 3 way belts here: http://gerardsgarage.com/Garage/Tech/SeatBeltWS.ht...
I asked on another thread about the fitting of spreader plates and was guided towards IVA documentation which basically points out that fittings in Steel Monocoques needs to be in a structural box section which doesn't match the AH directions of the rear wheels arch fitting in particular.
Obviously I'm not keen on scrimping on safety (although I've owned the car for over 25 years without the seat belts!) so if I'm going to fit them I don't want to bodge it and have them fail if the worst happens.
Given the AH instructions are very old I wondered what others have in place in open top classics that don't have roll bars etc?
cheers
Mags
I asked on another thread about the fitting of spreader plates and was guided towards IVA documentation which basically points out that fittings in Steel Monocoques needs to be in a structural box section which doesn't match the AH directions of the rear wheels arch fitting in particular.
Obviously I'm not keen on scrimping on safety (although I've owned the car for over 25 years without the seat belts!) so if I'm going to fit them I don't want to bodge it and have them fail if the worst happens.
Given the AH instructions are very old I wondered what others have in place in open top classics that don't have roll bars etc?
cheers
Mags
I fitted mine in the Frog the same as your link, long time ago but I think the new inner sills had a captive nut so that dealt with that end.
The tunnel and wheel arch I put plates to spread the load.
Probably wouldn't pass current crash test but even if they fail they're better than nothing - in a small shunt they could save you from damage, in a large one they aren't going to make it worse.
I guess the over the shoulder one you could take down to the box section that goes up over the axle hump next to the arch, unless it's an early car - I don't think they had the box section, but difficult to put a captive nut there unless you're already cutting and welding.
The tunnel and wheel arch I put plates to spread the load.
Probably wouldn't pass current crash test but even if they fail they're better than nothing - in a small shunt they could save you from damage, in a large one they aren't going to make it worse.
I guess the over the shoulder one you could take down to the box section that goes up over the axle hump next to the arch, unless it's an early car - I don't think they had the box section, but difficult to put a captive nut there unless you're already cutting and welding.
I put inertia belts in a Sprite pretty well as suggested with no problems. Two points tho. Make sure that the inertia reel works correctly at the angle you choose, and belts nowadays usually have a single bolt of a larger diameter than those suggested. You can buy spreader plates with an appropriate nut welded on
Neil
Neil
I have inertia reel belts in my XK120 roadster. They give some sense of security and are fitted via spreader plates on the rear inner wings, floor and transmission tunnel. Years ago, I fitted belts to the Rover 110 I had. A 1963 car, it had mounts on the driver's side already and mounting holes in the passenger "B" pillar, so all I had to do was make a mirror image set of plates etc.
In 1972 I owned a '68 Lotus 7, Being a young idiot I drove it like there was no tomorrow, eventually I had a mishap
I lost control at ~60mph on greasy road hit the kurb on opposite side of road, car flipped over the hedge and barrel rolled down a steep grassy bank eventually ending up nose down against large tree, thankfully it didn't have belts fitted, I was thrown out of car and still live to tell this tale, If i had been wearing belts I'd have been 'BROWN BREAD' Needless to say my current Lotus 7 - a newer 1970 model!! does NOT have belts, nor will it ever have any fitted. You only live once I guess someone/something decided They [seatbelts] were NOT for me At least in this life
I lost control at ~60mph on greasy road hit the kurb on opposite side of road, car flipped over the hedge and barrel rolled down a steep grassy bank eventually ending up nose down against large tree, thankfully it didn't have belts fitted, I was thrown out of car and still live to tell this tale, If i had been wearing belts I'd have been 'BROWN BREAD' Needless to say my current Lotus 7 - a newer 1970 model!! does NOT have belts, nor will it ever have any fitted. You only live once I guess someone/something decided They [seatbelts] were NOT for me
At least in this lifeI had a TR3A with a very hard steel grab handle right where the passengers teeth would go! I think the Frog had a similar one as well - or a radio in the same place???
I put a roll hoop & full harness belts from a former rally car on the TR when we started doing lots of continental stuff...next owner took it all out.
I put a roll hoop & full harness belts from a former rally car on the TR when we started doing lots of continental stuff...next owner took it all out.
When I first got my Frogeye (1970) it had no belts and I quickly fitted a pair of static belts. I found that I was more comfortable and in better control as I was tight in the seat - and despite the rare lucky person who survived after being thrown from a car - Statistically you ARE much safer in a car with belt.
Mags said:
Not sure if I have the box section, it is an early car, a fully studded windscreen. I'm happy to weld in some strength if needed and suspect I might have to!
I think the extra strengthening was added a bit a time during the studded windscreen period, can't remember exactly any more, but it's possible that you don't have the box section over the axle hump as it's a 9 stud.Thanks all, I've read a few stories about getting thrown clear vs seatbelts but in this case SWMBO wants them so they are going in and I agree on the stats that they are safer. Yes the Frogeye has a lovely hard metal grab handle too! I would probably headbutt the top of the screen frame as well but if I was that concerned about saftey I wouldn't be playing with classic cars at all.
Mags
Understand your thinking [Gov't stats and all - BUT haven't you ever met a truthful politician!] - but if you had been me, you wouldn't ever wear a seatbelt either
>
OOI my original Lotus 7 did NOT have a rollbar fitted, my existing one did when I bought it, I removed it immediately, coz it would prevent me from being thrown clear in a similar accident!!!
Understand your thinking [Gov't stats and all - BUT haven't you ever met a truthful politician!] - but if you had been me, you wouldn't ever wear a seatbelt either
>
OOI my original Lotus 7 did NOT have a rollbar fitted, my existing one did when I bought it, I removed it immediately, coz it would prevent me from being thrown clear in a similar accident!!!
Folks, as i said earlier ive owned my frog for over 25 years without belts but my wife is no longer happy to travel without them in modern traffic so they are being fitted.
The belts are on order and i have the mounting plates, just need a free weekend to look at how I'm going to fit them.
The belts are on order and i have the mounting plates, just need a free weekend to look at how I'm going to fit them.
Many of our older cars have bits and pieces in front of the passenger just ready for her to smash her face into if you have to brake hard. Mine has a wiper motor and Mags wrote of a lovely hard metal grab handle.
In the case of a road car, I'd say that braking hard when the passenger isn't prepared for it is the most probable case where a seat-belt will help.
Simply running into things would be second in the list by a long way, and turning over a very long third, so don't be put off seat-belts by the overturning case!
In the case of a road car, I'd say that braking hard when the passenger isn't prepared for it is the most probable case where a seat-belt will help.
Simply running into things would be second in the list by a long way, and turning over a very long third, so don't be put off seat-belts by the overturning case!
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff