Seat Belts

[MattF]

Hi everyone,

First time poster so please be gentle!

I recently purchased my first E Type, after many years of yearning. The one I have bought doesn't have seat belts and I am curious about, not only the legality of that, but also advice on the proper seat belts to fit.

Any help would be very much appreciated.
Matt

[lopena]

Hi, Matt:

Welcome to the Forum!

By all means, get some three-point lap and shoulder belts installed in your E-type as soon as possible...your safety depends on it.

There are many threads here about how to do so...use the search function above to research various options.

Good luck!

Alan
N.J.

[MattF]

Thank you!

[Heuer]

Under UK law you are not required to fit seat belts if they were not fitted from new. Having said that it is probably worth considering fitting a set - Quickfit SBS can make a period set for you with Jaguar leapers on the buckle. https://www.quickfitsbs.com/gallery_jaguar.php

If you are safety concsious you may want to change the seats because if you are rear ended in an E-Type your classic car driving days will probably be over. Recommended seats are from the early MX5's trimmed to look like Jaguar ones. Full details in the Upgrades Forum.

[Series1 Stu]

I've recently purchased a set of inertia reel seat belts for my 62 FHC from Quickfit Safety Belts (not the low-rent auto repair shop) and went for the full set of options. While not strictly a period fit I think the convenience of inertia reel belts is worth the deviation from standard. They weren't particularly cheap, but then, nothing is for an E Type. I haven't got them fitted yet (soon, I hope) the quality seems excellent and they look really good against the new interior trim (Jaguar grey webbing and chrome buckles against the red interior).

Three point static belts were an option and your car will probably have the three mounting points hidden under the trim.

I have no connection to Quickfit other than as a satisfied customer. They are a pleasure to deal with and turned around my order in just a few days.

Regards

[rswaffie]

Hi,
How do the inertia reels mount to the body? Do you have to drill/tap new mounting points or is there some sort of bracket that locates them in the existing points below the quarter lights?

[tinworm]

There is a chrome escutcheon which you take off under the window if memory serves.

Barrie

[Series1 Stu]

Hi Richard

The reels mount at the base of the B pillars, you only have the standard-looking chrome fixings at the quarterlight mounting. I haven't tried fitting them yet (I'm still installing the interior trim) but maybe I should fit them before I go much further and then remove them until I'm ready to fit the seats.

I'll be in the garage later today so maybe I'll do this job next. I have already cleared out the fixing points in the bodywork. I'll report back later.

I was going to include a picture of the kit but I don't seem to have the "add image" message.

Regards

[mgcjag]

You can get creative and hide the inertia reel inside the B post cavity.....i did on my 2+2 others have on fhc....not sure there is enough room to mount the reel lower down behind the seat and you still need to create an upper fixing to get the 3 points.......its not uncommon to see the inertia reel mounted on the seatbelt fixing as Barrie mentioned on the wheel arch below the quarterlight.....Steve

[1954Etype]

The OP is referring to an OTS. Best place to mount the reels is in the boot, cut a slot for the webbing to come through via a chrome escutcheon. Tidies it up and doesn't foul the hood when folded down.

[mgcjag]

Hi Angus...yes...... but Richad with a fhc chipped in.....Steve

[rswaffie]

Stuart
Following my last email, these are the brackets I was thinking of:

viewtopic.php?t=14877

[Series1 Stu]

Thanks Richard

Interesting solution. On the photos from Quickfit they have a really neat installation but the cubby box support has been removed. I don't think the reel would fit in that position with the support in place. I am about to go and check and report back.

When I got up yesterday morning I intended to fit the wheel arch moquettes. That job has now been delayed until the seat belt installation is sorted. A timely question/intervention on your part. Thanks.

Sorry for the thread hijack Matt but the Quickfit service recommendation still stands.

Regards

[lopena]

Stuart:

Here’s the three-point installation on my ‘64 OTS:

Alan
N.J.

[Polse7317]

And here is what i have done in my FHC ( may be ok for an OTS ?)