Classic Seat belts

[356Monkey]

Has anyone got any good recommendations for good quality static 3 point seat belts with buckle connection and nice chrome fittings in the UK?

[mrg3.6]

Ditto - interested in knowing more about retrofitting seat belts to a RHD 356a.

Martin

[Lightweight_911]

If it was me I would look for some appropriate used 'period' seat belts from a British car on ebay & then send them to Sue at FDTS in Byfleet to get them re-webbed.

Incidentally I have a pair of lap belts (removed from my 356C) with good chrome fittings that may be suitable for conversion to 3-point belts.

[Nick Moss]

https://www.quickfitsbs.com/ can supply your needs

[stretch]

Sue at FDTS every time. They will go the extra mile and even restore your own fittings. Kettle is always on, and they have cake..!

[356Monkey]

I've emailed Quickfit on several occasions over the last few months and thye haven't even replied to my enquiry so I'm a bit loathed to use them now. I will try Sue though, sounds like a god option potentially so many thanks for that.

[roy mawbey]

Hope you get through to them. My 356 has had Britax belts on since new I believe and that AFN. had them fitted along with the valve Motorola before going to the first owner.

The belts have two separate 'u' clamps behind each seat and the underneath floor has two corresponding steel plates for clamps to go through. The other fixing is behind each front seat onto the rear side panels. The fixings as also the buckles and clamps. are bright chrome. I have always secured the clasp after un- buckling it onto the rubber coat hangers and the buckles go between the two front seats.

This makes for a very neat storage situation.

Roy

[mrg3.6]

Roy,

Any chance of some photographs showing the belts and mounting locations?

Thx
Martin

[roy mawbey]

Martin,

I will sort something out on the photos and try to use Postimage to put on here. Might take a while its so easy on abcgt.com to post photos. Just select a photo from your files and enter it on the forum box and then enter it straight into the area you want. It must cost Justin who runs that forum to have that easy way for guys to post their photos? I have no idea how that works.

Roy

[Slope330]

very surprised at quickfit not replying............owner Stuart Quick , Porsche enthusiast ,been at it for years and has all the right kit ............more importantly knows exactly where to fit in car ..............did our 65 SWB and seen stuff he s done on 58 speedster .......

[mrg3.6]

Martin, I will sort something out on the photos and try to use Postimage to put on here. Might take a while its so easy on abcgt.com to post photos. Just select a photo from your files and enter it on the forum box and then enter it straight into the area you want. It must cost Justin who runs that forum to have that easy way for guys to post their photos? I have no idea how that works. Roy

Roy,

Thanks very much for your photographs attached below:

Nice set-up and would be interested to know more about the physical mounting points including fixings or plates?









Martin

[roy mawbey]

Martin,

These Britax Lyfe Lok belts were I believe fitted when the car was new over here. ( Not the factory)

The 'U' fixtures behind the front seats had holes drilled through the floor and not verylarge rectangular steel strips were used to secure with washers and nuts. The chrome plate with the 2 phillips screws were attached to the side panels and on the back side of the panel underneath the rear wing again a rectangular shaped box arrangement has what looks like captive nuts to accept the screws.

Never removed any of the belts probably all came as a kit for fitting.' Lyfe Lok' belts by Britax were used on a number of 50/60's UK sports cars.

Remember the floor and side panels often became rusted out and were no longer strong in accidents.
So the strength depended on how good the securing surface was or still is !!!

Roy

[mrg3.6]

Roy,

Appreciate the feedback.

My existing Australian belts seem to be fixed with a u-clip and mounted with some screws and rivets



I certainly need to get something a little more robust.

Martin

[sisu]

Wow this all looks quite dodgy.

Fitting retractable 3 point seat belts in a classic is important. Ever wondered why you only get a lap belt in a plane? The bolts that hold the seat will fail so the brace position helps mitigate this. But chances are if you crash you will still be in your seat, just not in the plane.
The bolts used in 3 point seat belts are that diameter because it will hold you and leaning against the dash in your lap belt in a car isn't an option. You need a plate large enough to spread the force of the captive nut in the surrounding metal as if one of them fails you are leaving the car.
If you have the upper mount below your shoulder, then this means in a crash your spine will be compressed to that height.
The 356 doesn't have a b pillar so the roof is better for the upper mount, but needs to be larger and curved to match the 356 roof to spread the force. Mounting the tennis ball sized retracter vertically is the issue but worth fabricating something integrated into the body of the car rather than proud of it.
Other than this morbid aspect the 356 coupe is actually pretty good in a crash as there is alot of safety in the design of the body being a large crumple zone.

[mrg3.6]

356 Registry Article: https://porsche356registry.org/article/33

Martin