Thread: Who makes Retractable Seat belt - Over Shoulder frame

I found exactly what I am looking for from Exmoore, but unfortunately not for Series 1.
Does anyone know if some enterprising person makes them for S1 and my 80"?
Seat Belt Frame.jpeg

Shouldn't be hard to make (or get someone to make). Not sure whether it would pass a roadworthy, worthwhile checking before you go too far, maybe speak to a company that install seatbelts, child restraints etc.

Unlikely they are made for 80" because most people don't want to devalue an 80" by fitting modifications like this.


Colin

I can find lots for the Series 2 onwards, but the Series 1 is a bit elusive.
EXT500-1 - Exmoor Soft Top Seat Belt Mounting Bar Use with Belts EXT001-8 and EXT001-7

Series 2 onward is easy, because they were optional equipment in specific markets for 3 and hence for the structurally identical 2/2a . But I am unaware of any actually manufactured for Series 1, although I have seen a very few made by or for owners. These would be acceptable for roadworthy purposes if approved by an authorised engineer, but as Colin notes, to meet engineering requirements is likely to mean structural alterations to a vehicle which is increasingly valued according to originality, which means few owners are interested.

For my IIA I engaged an engineer for this issue. I sent him pics of the exmoor one and he basically required me to send detailed drawings and measurements. After that he specified the steel that would have to be used, and for the hoop sections it was solid bar, with a bigger diameter cross bar - it looked like the exmoor one but beefier. He also insisted the cross bar be padded, like a roll cage would be behind the passengers heads.

I didn't end up having it made and just bought the exmoor one because I went a different way with the project and didn't need to get an engineer to go over the car.

This was in Victoria and my experience is that every engineer will interpret things differently. I'm currently looking at doing something similar with a Series 1 and will need to redesign it again because this is a tray back ute so there's no convenient place to put the rear bracing for the exmoor-type one (and yes I realise it is a remake of an original LR part).

Long way of saying - speak to an engineer. In my dealings with them I've always found you get to the point much faster than going round and round the forums.

Other point I'd make is that while yeah Series 1's are considered some level of 'collectable' if you intend to drive the thing on the road regularly you probably owe it to yourself and your passengers to get over the counting of rivets and put some kind of restraints in. I realise this isn't to the taste of a lot of owners and that's fair enough, but I don't think anyone should resist installing belts because of a perceived loss of 'value' of the car - they're not pre-war Bugattis, they're farm trucks.

Cheers,

Adam

Hi Adam,
I fully agree. Safety first.
I had lap belts in my truck before I stripped it down for the big restoration, but never really found them very reassuring. Proper three point retractable belts is where I would like to go, just need to solve the raised anchor point first.

My truck is fully licensed and I have maintained that throughout the restoration, so I don't need to get it approved or passed by anyone.

I'm in discussion with Purely Metal in the UK. They told me that the only reason they don't offer a Series 1 system, if that no-one would give them a reference vehicle that they could take measurements off.
Ive offered to do any measuring they need and takes lot of pictures, so hoping I can convince them to create one for the series 1. They do seem open to the idea.

regards
Jeff

Originally Posted by akelly

For my IIA I engaged an engineer for this issue. I sent him pics of the exmoor one and he basically required me to send detailed drawings and measurements. After that he specified the steel that would have to be used, and for the hoop sections it was solid bar, with a bigger diameter cross bar - it looked like the exmoor one but beefier. He also insisted the cross bar be padded, like a roll cage would be behind the passengers heads.

I didn't end up having it made and just bought the exmoor one because I went a different way with the project and didn't need to get an engineer to go over the car.

This was in Victoria and my experience is that every engineer will interpret things differently. I'm currently looking at doing something similar with a Series 1 and will need to redesign it again because this is a tray back ute so there's no convenient place to put the rear bracing for the exmoor-type one (and yes I realise it is a remake of an original LR part).

Long way of saying - speak to an engineer. In my dealings with them I've always found you get to the point much faster than going round and round the forums.

Other point I'd make is that while yeah Series 1's are considered some level of 'collectable' if you intend to drive the thing on the road regularly you probably owe it to yourself and your passengers to get over the counting of rivets and put some kind of restraints in. I realise this isn't to the taste of a lot of owners and that's fair enough, but I don't think anyone should resist installing belts because of a perceived loss of 'value' of the car - they're not pre-war Bugattis, they're farm trucks.

Cheers,

Adam

There are other safety concerns when driving a S1. The original toughened glass shatters on impact with your head, laminated glass closes around your neck after the
head's gone through. It is important that the seal and vent on the fuel cap work as intended. An accident is just that, with the outcome completely unpredictable.

All I needed was a small band aid on the back of my hand. My passenger had a small cut on the fore head, caused by the metal spectacle frame. No seat belts of any kind
and with 120l of petrol on board. After the SES righted the car I pulled out the mud guard and drove it 100km home. The only broken glass was one mudguard mirror.
Sometimes you're just so lucky.
.W

I was in a series 1 that rolled many years ago as well.

The three in the front were held in with the newly installed seat belts,and were fine.

Four of us kids were in the back,the only one to sustain an injury was myself,the side rear window came out and hit me in the arm,needing a few stitches.

The one in my sig has three point belts fitted,but not retractable,and lap sash front middle.

My father fitted them in the late 60’s.