Pete1200 Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 Hello All ... My first post, so bear with me ... Have just re-entered the Triumph world after a 25 year pause(!) with a 1963 Herald 1200 Convertible ... It doesn't have seat belts fitted, so would like to fit ASAP and also wonder what the best child seat/safety solution is for my daughter who is five ... Car will be based in Surrey ... Would be very happy to hear from anyone who can supply and can fit them ... Ideally, would like to fit authentic/original seat belts, or the closest thing to them ... Thanks ... Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 Rear belts? Absolute nightmare. Not seen any 3 point ones I would use. I had lapbelts for my kids. Trouble is there is nothing with any strength for the shoulder belt to attach to. It may be possible to get a strucrre made up in 1" box section, from the bottom of the B post up to the corner of the seat, and then replace the U channel framework with said box section. Plus some uprights wit braces too. But there is nothing on the market. I saw one installation by a seat belt firm that I considered worse than useless, all it would have done is caused different injuries to no belt. (and welcome! sorry for sounding so negative, but best be honest) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 A 5 year old would have to be in a child seat, which all require a shoulder/chest strap. So I don't think a lap belt would be legal. Also welcome and sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1200 Posted October 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 Thanks dougbgt6. It appears it would be legal without any seat belts. See - http://www.footmanjames.co.uk/blog/seat-belt-laws-classic-cars My concern is about making sure it's as safe as can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 Yes, you don't have to have them! But as you say, as safe as possible is best. And, once you decide to fit them, they have to comply with the law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 We were lucky. 21 years ago you could get child seats that attached really well using a lap belt,the child seats then had their own harness. I know later they used booster seats with just the lap belt. They did 10 staffords in that car. And the rear seat squab was never used, kept them low and out the wind. If you are handy with a welder,make a frame/cage to support the rear seatbelts, or if deep pockets get someone to make it for you. Otherwise lap belts will be your best bet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 I wrote an article on rear seat belts (plus headrests) made by Frank Bell of our local Northern Ireland club. If you PM Frank I'm sure he'll oblige with the full details. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve C Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 That looks like a good installation. I would add th e caveat though that no Herald will ever be as safe as even the most basic modern. Even with a roll cage, properly-mounted decent seats and 4 point harnesses, you still have no crumple zones, side impact bars or airbags. That said, we classic drivers probably drive more defensively, and being in a convertible certainly keeps you alert! Most of us also drive far lower annual mileages, at quieter times, and choose our routes with care, all of which reduces our exposure to risk. It is a matter of weighing the risks, and making an individual choice. Regards Steve C 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 We do have crumple zones! I know of a few cars that have had serious crashes, and bodywork absorbed the impact well. I rolled a spitfire with no cage, and walked away (still think I was very lucky, now have a decent roll-bar) That installation looks to be the best one I have seen by a country mile .I know clearance between the seatback and hood can be tricky, so that makes it even better. I also suspect there are diagonals going forward which are unseen. Well done to Frank! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1200 Posted November 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Please can anyone post some pics of rear lap belts fitted in a 1200 convertible, especially the areas where they are bolted into the car ... thanks ... Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestChiltRanger Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 I've just had rear seat belts fitted to my Vitesse convertible by Southern Triumph. They strengthened the hood frame and welded new mounting points. They didn't recommend inertia rear belts as apparently they can catch on the hood when it's down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Be interesting to see some pictures. Have you tested the system for strength? Remember the force on a seatbelt is many times the bodyweight of the person. So a basic minimum requirement (my idea, and only a rough test) would to get a couple of reasonably strong blokes to pull on each belt together in the same direction that any force would be in an accident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestChiltRanger Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 I've attached a couple of pictures, sorry ther not very clear. You can see that the hood frame has been strengthened. I haven't tested the strength of the mounting, but have driven with 2 adults in the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1200 Posted November 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Many thanks. Do you mind me asking the cost? Anyone used these folks? ... http://www.quickfitsbs.com/index.php Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Sorry, but I don't see any extra bracing in the fore-aft direction. In the event of an accident, those little rails at the sides of the seats will fold up, and the belts do nothing useful. To be worthwhile, a diagonal brace from the corner of that top rail where the seatbelt goes over is needed, right down to teh bottom of the Bpost on to a reinforced bracket. And teh top rail needs to be something stronger. I considered 1" square thick walled tubing. And the uprights I would remake in something similar, with diagonals going back but avoiding the hood. Even that lot would not meet any regulations, but would be several times stronger. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestChiltRanger Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 I believe it was around £800, although I had other work undertaken at the same time. I did speak to Quickfitsbs who were going to be cheaper, but I don't think they do any body strengthening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1200 Posted November 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 Thanks again. Spoke to Quickfit today who suggested they may do some strengthening, but wants to see the vehicle to evaluate. Any strong views on the best solution? How about fitting front belts and having the booster seat in the front passenger seat? Is that legal? Gosh this is getting confusing. Thanks and apologies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 Many thanks. Do you mind me asking the cost? Anyone used these folks? ... http://www.quickfitsbs.com/index.php Thanks. Yes, had a full set of Gt6 seatbelts made up and they were excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomL Posted November 30, 2016 Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 I built up a frame in steel box-section for three point, inertia-reel rear seatbelts for my Vitesse. I did it a while ago and now the children who used them are adults and way too big to go anywhere near the tiny rear seats. Still they're there if needed and one adult can just about fit in at a push. The design incorporates a fold-down backrest for luggage. And I recall I used Quickfit to do the alterations to a set of Spitfire inertia reel seatbelts. Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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