PeteH

You are aware that if you know the Reg# you can see if it is still logged on the DVLA database. That would give clue as to if it might be "available". Many by now have been scrapped, and Our old Vittese has been on sorn for some years.

Mine is a 1971, (70 build?) and they had already got to GE77****. My guess it is a Typo and it should be 1968? Not an altogether uncommon mistake when computerising records from old(er) hand written documents.? some peoples 5`s can be easily mistaken for 8 and vice versa?. Pete Edit:- Data Plates of that era, where often hand stamped, and the youngest apprentice usually got the job!. Not hard to stamp up wrongly?. (Especially Monday morning after a "hard" weekend!)

In the previous "Views", the folded hood fouled the Inertia reels. After several attempts I have relocated the reels further back and Added Extra Heavy plate under the wheel arch. Similar to the Factory ones. I now have working Inertia belts which do not foul the hood when folded.

Despite that, I have come across them in "moderns". I am fairly sure my Fiat (Punto) of some years back used them?.

I`m in the process of fitting them to a 13/60 convertible, This is how far I have got?. Scroll to page 3. Pete

Hi I don`t know if they are still available in those sizes. But it may be worth looking into "Roll" pins as an alternative/option?. I`ve used them before in a variety of circumstances?. Pete

Ok, So moved a shed load of rubbish, and "found" The trim Panels, The (rear) hood frames where easier, balanced on the Ladder lashed to the Purlins!!. Cleaned the Threads and had a bit of a "Play":- Pic-1 shows the Proposed setup. Pic-2 temporary fastening, Needs Bracing in my view. Pic-3 with the rear hood frames down, they Just catch the Reel. I think the clearance is there though. Pic-4 and 5 side panel loose clamped bears on the Reel. but still retracts. I`m thinking a bracing Plate behind the top of the B post and put the belt holder a tad further forward onto the top of the post itself using the 7/16 Bolts and fittings.?.

The ones I have to hand, Are NOS Bought for the Sons Dolomite many moons ago. Still boxed never opened (until now). The Dolly was nicked and trashed on the Pirbright Ranges, before we could fit them. They are a securon set. Pete

Yes, I can see that. In the event of a shunt to the front. The angle is greater that that which would exist if the Rear Wheel-arch mount was used, when the High "B" post mount would not be absorbing all the Energy, Looking at the vectors, you would have to, at least, Brace from the wheel arch to the top of the "B" post to avoid that. Wether that is possible/worth doing, is a moot point?. At the moment it would seem that the Reel Unit I have would foul the Trim, and/or some of the Hood Rails, when they are stowed?. Now I have to find the trim panel and the hood frame to see what space I have available. Lot`s of "crap" to move in the garage loft I suspect. Cheers Pete.

Yes It`s definitely a "work in progress". My current concern is that there is no brace (I can see) at the top of the "B" post to take the upper Belt?. To be fair, The lower Mount point is well Strengthened behind the Tub. All that and the other side is "New" Steel and thicker than O/E. (1.0mm) And as it is not envisaged that the rear seats will get a lot of use (if any) access is a marginal issue?. It needs some more thought though. (the belt was looped over the top to see if it was actually long enough, as the Belts are NOS and where originally bought for a Dolomite). Brand spanking new, Never fitted as the Car was stolen & wrecked before the job could be done. Pete

I`ve spent the morning "cogitating" over this. So to see, I loosely place the Parts where I thought they would go.? :-

I speculate how one might fit a set of "Reel" belts in a Convertible?. Two thoughts come to mind. 1) Could the Reel be fitted to the Rear Arch, where there is already a Strengthened fastening point?. 2 OR fitted the the base of the "B" post to the fastening point just forward of the B post. with the fixed end also fastened there?. There appears to be no strengthening at the top of a C-V "B" post to take a Bracket?. Pete

Thinking about Seat belts for a moment?. Anyone successfully used "Reel" as opposed to static, belts in a Convertible?. Pete

Hi Hmm?. Strange that. I shall have to do a recheck on the stampings. As far as I can ascertain, all the Running gear is OE?. But I am now beginning to have second thoughts. Current the Gear Box is under wraps, and The diff; not that accessible. My current "obsession" is the MX seat fit`s. Pete

Yes I agree on paper. But what I have written down here is GA. The VIN starts with GE?. The Engine GK, the Gearbox CB, and the Diff; GA. Unfortunately getting to double check entails putting it back on Axle stands and crawling underneath now!. (unless I photographed it?) I may have a look later but there must be over 1000 pic`s of this refurb; by now!. Pete

HI I`m sure mine was GA followed by 7 numbers?. (Herald 13/60). Not Funny really, as the Canley Document identifies it (GA) as a type "A" and further states they should not be fitted to 13/60`s (which mine is). I have no information despite a large volume of previous paperwork, that the diff; was ever changed. Which suggests that it was the Factory fit?. Probably built late in 1970. Pete

Hi Hopefully, I` have an idea that I may know one way or the other later today, But first I have to rescue the second seat form the Shed, and it`s raining!. Hopefully too the mice have not decided to nest there yet!. That would be "bummer" as they are a decent matched pair just needing a good clean up, and FREE. Pete

So, To re-cap, I was right?, The seats should be set square in the car. And the Wheel position and the Pedal boxes are then naturally offset to the Left and Right respectively?. Which is how I vaguely remember the Vitessse, from 30+ years ago. That will be a help, as it means the existing rear bolted mounts on the seats can be re-used once flattened out and extended rearwards, the front ones will need a bit of persuasion and some bracing I suspect. As it is anticipated that the original seat belt mountings on the car itself would be used not those actually fitted to the seats, as in the MX, therefore the seat bolting is not as critical. Thanks Pete

I have a 1-1/2ton Sealy Jack. I estimate it was purchased circa 1982(Ish). My son worked weekends at Camberley Auto Factors and got a staff discount on it. Still going strong, just a bit slow on the pump up these days. (may just need some oil?.) I could do with a 5ton one really. As I have a Merc Sprinter based Motorhome, which is far too heavy for the Sealy. Pete

Hi. Whilst working on the PAS unit I decided to try the MX seats, I was Gifted by a serial MX owner. They look the business and I think I have a solution to the mountings. However, When aligned with the Existing holes, the seat appears to be offset. As I did not remove the original seats I cannot 100% be sure that they too where not slightly offset.? Can anyone confirm. Back in the 80`s we had a Vittesse, I am sure(ish) that the wheel/seat alignment had a slight offset, as did the Pedals?.

I posted on :- "Power Steering on a Spitfire? Is it possible?" That there is a U-J modified Replacement (part No FAM 1718 UJ.) for the old item.? The item is shown in my Photo`s. Pete

At this time I don`t think so. In any case if they are available at £2. + p&p. it will likely be cheaper and safer, than me risking the post office queue, during the current "crisis". Pete

Yes those are the springs. One of mine is missing, as it came to me stripped down I have no chance of it being with the "bits and bobs", I suspect. As for the C clip wanted "jeff" It could be this one?. Sorry about pic quality.

Hi What I am missing currently, is one of the small return springs on the indicator stalk. They allow the little "ears" to auto return the stalk when you centre the wheels. I have managed to relocate the return clip on the PAS column and it works in one direction only, needing the spring to return the other. Anyone got a S-H one?. Pete

HI I could have the whole shooting match available. Since I got the PAS working the complete original Unit will only be collecting dust until the day some future owner want`s "originality". Pete