non-retractable 3-point seat belts

[Mike Wilson]

My thought as well, Martin.

Mike

[Martin Benade]

Michael, the factory mount only takes an 8mm bolt, and it goes into the bottom of a socket or recess, maybe 14mm diameter and depth. It doesn’t necessarily look like a seatbelt mount.
I drilled and tapped mine to the normal 7/16 size used worldwide.

[Mike Wilson]

Update:

The good news: it finally cooled down enough to work in the garage.
The bad news: unless I mount the cabled part of the seat belt on top of or the sides of the tunnel or under the rear seats snd install backing plates, they won't work. Since I don't want to drill any holes in the car, that's not an option for me. Angle brackets were provided to install them in the factory anchor points but they are too large to orient the seat belt between the seats and they hit the tunnel. (Refer to my previous comment with the pics). I fabricated a couple of smaller brackets but a 90* angle doesn't work. Also, the shoulder belt hardware doesn't line up well with the factory anchor point as it is flat. It should have a slight angle to it. I contacted the guys at Seat Belt Planet and gave them my feedback and they are going to see if there are solutions. They have been very open and helpful and their products are really well made. Maybe we can come up with something.

In the meantime, I have a set of 3-point retractable seat belts in the car with snap hook ends in the factory anchor points and a set of PAP seat belts on the shelf and hopefully able to take the car out for DY356 Day.

Mike

[Graeme Langford]

Mike what model is your 356. I have thought about fitting seat belts in my A and I believe that they are more of an issue. I do not want to start drilling holes in the car and adding strengthening plates but I have a feeling this would be the only option. I will speak to PRS as I believe they might have a solution. I am wondering if a four point harness would be a better solution in the A possibly but where would be strong enough at the rear to mount the harnesses. I do not use the rear seats and keep them flat for luggage and chairs etc.

[David Jones]

Graeme, I have 3 point retractable belts in my A cab and coupe. Search the forum for more information. I reinforced the bottom mounts and used a vendor supplied mounting kit for the retract mechanism.

[Mike Wilson]

David is a great source of information. The A and and early B's did not have factory seat belt anchor points. There are diagrams and info to safely install seat belts on those models.

I have a later B model, 213xxx, with the factory seat belt anchor points.

Mike

[David Jones]

If anyone needs a pair of fixed lap and shoulder belts I have a set that are very usable but could use a wash, also a pair of lap belts.
Make it worth the effort to box them up and ship and they are yours.

[Graeme Langford]

Graeme, I have 3 point retractable belts in my A cab and coupe. Search the forum for more information. I reinforced the bottom mounts and used a vendor supplied mounting kit for the retract mechanism.

Where did you buy your belts from David ?

[David Jones]

Originally from Andover Restraints, but then from Seat Belt Planet in Oklahoma city. Excellent service and expertise.

[Jurgen Amtmann]

I am restoring my 64 C (Reuter Coupe), bought in Germany in early 64 and can not find the 3 Point Belt Attachment Points below the quarter windows. The ones on the floor are there and obvious. Can anyone tell me what the ones under the quarter windows look like? Or exactly where they are supposed to be? I've removed the Felt down to the metal, can't find anything. According to a previous post, my Chassis #127031 falls in the range where they should be there. Jürgen

[Mike Wilson]

See if this pic helps.

Mike

[David Jones]

Hers mine, Jan 64C.

[Martin Benade]

Originally there’s about a 2.5” plastic escutcheon there, with either an aluminum knob or a flat screw in the middle. Behind the trim is a rugged looking structure that looks more like a seat hinge location than a shoulder belt mount. With a smallish 8mm threaded hole.

[Jurgen Amtmann]

Michael, I'm guessing the rear mounting point is covered by the upholstery. My '63 has the attachment points. Also, there should be the factory threaded seat belt anchors on the floor behind the seats.

Mike

Mike, I have been trying to find the rear attachment points for 3 Point Seat Belts on my 64C (Reuter) coupe without success. The upholstery is out, down to some sort of thin material glued on to the body metal, but no indication of anything (below the wind wing) that would be like reinforcement for Seat Belts. Any idea where to look, or maybe there are no attachment on the 64?

Regards, Jürgen

[Mike Wilson]

Jurgen, can you post pics of the area on your car? Remotely possible there was damage in that area previously restored but the attachments not replaced. Later tonight or tomorrow I'll remove one of my retractors so you can get a better idea of where they should be located.

Mike