Thread: Seat belts in a Series 1, anyone done it?

Originally Posted by garrycol

I put in a racing harness (no crotch belt) in my first series 1 in the 70s. The lap side went to bolt positions either side of the seat and the two shoulder belts went back to a position about half way back in the tub on the wheel arch. Worked well but was not all that practical in an everyday driver. This prompted me to put a roll bar in and put in three point inertia reel belts.

Garry

Hi All

I am on the lookout for a Series one 88", but SWMBO wants the new kitchen first!
So installing a roll bar with three point belts would look a bit strange in the area of the sink, so that belt project will have to wait for a while.

It's now time for a story from my more youthful days, about my 1955 86" series ones, which I had fitted lap seat belts.

Spotlighting wallabies one night, we suddenly dropped, into a hidden underground hole caused by tunnel erosion.
The lights went out, the motor stalled with a crook battery and I couldn't use the crank handle as the nose of the Rover was deep in the ground.
The front axle broke the centre bolt on one side and the main leaf on the other, there we were, stuck in the middle of the night and it was pitch black, cold and windy .

The chap that was standing on top of the load of wallabies and rabbits holding the spot light, landed upside down somehow, ending face down with his head between the levers on the floor and his legs tangled up around the back of the seats, obviously he wasn't wearing a belt, but he wasn't hurt either.

Now, his mate was sitting in the passenger seat, he had come along for the ride to watch, this, his first time spotlighting, he was being the prudent one in wearing a belt and was feeling secure that it was to save him in the event of a prang.
His fears were realised, but the outcome for him was the worst, as the belt held his middle and the upper part of his torso shot forward.
His head just reached the dash nicely, and the metalwork which had already stopped moving at that stage, then in turn stopped the travel of his head.
Have you ever heard of the expression knocked silly?
Well, that was probably the best way to describe him, when we found him, after a match was struck to survey the situation.
His headache did come right after a few day's and after which, his black eyes became less noticeable also.

Back to me as the driver and the Rover.
My left knee had taken a hit but soon came right, but the poor Rover was stuck good and proper, so options were discussed between us two more alert members of the party and a plan was then formulated on how to travel home with our now, recently dizzied friend .

Under the load of carcasses was the fencing gear, amongst which I found an axe and the wire strainers.
This was to be another salvation on this bleak night, the first was the spot light, being now back in action, thanks to the small supply of matches from the chap from the back, he being the only smoker on this outing.

To start the Rover's motor was the first objective and as the starter was not working, the crank handle had to be used, this not going to be easily done as the hole for the crank was buried down about a foot in the soil.

So the axe was used as an improvised digging tool, hacking away at the bank over the bumper bar.
The wire strainers were set up on some fencing wire, to a suitable tree as to try and get the Rover back a bit to help the swing of the crank handle.
Time flies when you are having fun, eventually the Rover was started and with the improvised winch made from the wire strainers and fencing wire, we made it back out of the hole.
Repairs to Rover was done in short time, some fencing wire was twitched around the axle housing and the bumper.
We then made it back to the farm yard without any more issues and a nice hot Milo (but no! not the green one).

Cheers Arthur

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Hi All

It's now time for a story from my more youthful days, about my 1955 86" series ones, which I had fitted lap seat belts.

................read the original post.....................

Back to me as the driver and the Rover.
My left knee had taken a hit

Cheers Arthur

Often used to see Series metal dash vehicles with significant (ouch) damage to the lower edge of the parcel tray/glove box on the driver's side at the wreckers and on properties. Must have hurt the knees.

By the end of the Series production there was a padded finisher panel for that area across the lower dash available but I cannot remember them being readily available (would have bought one). Saw a few on imported vehicles however.

Bob