Section : Seat Belts

Herald Convertible seat belts 

Posted By : Derek Weller, 18-May-2003, 07:14pm

• Herald Convertible seat belts 

  Posted By : Denis Howarth, 20-May-2003, 11:14am

  Derek
  
  I think the seatbelts for the convertible are different as for the saloon, and it sounds as if you have bought SALOON belts.

  • Herald Convertible seat belts 

    Posted By : Christian Nicholson, 03-Mar-2005, 09:08pm

    I have read all the messages left regarding this with great interest as i am about to buy some rear belts for my 1200 convertible, however, i would like to know which belts are the ones to purchase?
    Like the majority i would prefer 3 point belts but have read about structural integrity and other pitfalls such as comfort, height etc, so what do i buy and i suppose more importantly where and how do i fit them?
    I am new to herald ownership but i am fairly competent mechanically and like to think this is what haynes might call a 2 spanner task
    Anyway, all suggestions and comments will be appreciated and welcomed.
    Thanks in advance
    Chris

    • Herald Convertible seat belts 

      Posted By : Nick Bracey, 05-Mar-2005, 08:37pm

      christian,
      
      i just went to the local breakers and got some from a fiesta.
      
      drilled through rear floor, then welded a suitable nut to a bit of plate with a hole in it (lined up so you can get the bolt through obviously!), and welded this plate to the underside of the floor.
      
      Does that make sense?
      
      I have to say that I didn't even consider 3 point - didn't look easy!
      
      hope thats of some help,
      
      cheers, Nick

• Herald Convertible seat belts 

  Posted By : Colin Lindsay, 23-May-2003, 03:35pm

  My 1200 convertible has inertia reel belts but the side mountings are mounted to the curved metal rail running around the rear seat; consequently this allows a higher bracket than the wheelarch mounting point and is more comfortable. It seems legal enough as it's passed 6 MOTs with them fitted!!

  • Herald Convertible seat belts 

    Posted By : William Davies, 23-May-2003, 10:09pm

    Do you mean they're attached to the lightweight structure onto which the side trims are fixed? There is no structural integrity to that area, it's simply there to tidy up the hood mechanism. I personally wouldn't care how many MOT's it's gone through, I'd want something that would offer some protection in the event of an accident.
    My 948s have no seatbelts but I am aware of the risk. Far worse is the perception of being protected when you're not......
    Cheers,
    Bill.
    

    • Herald Convertible seat belts 

      Posted By : Colin Lindsay, 25-May-2003, 02:53pm

      What I mean is that the shoulder loops are attached to the metal as an additional mounting point rather than being fed through the aperture in the side trim. The actual reel mechanism is securely mounted to the floor points as usual. As I've only just started on this car I don't know the structural integrity of this point however it appears the upper mounting is merely for the belt position with regards to driver comfort rather than an extra safety mounting point. They won't be staying there as once restoration commences they'll be routed correctly.

      • Herald Convertible seat belts 

        Posted By : William Davies, 25-May-2003, 10:13pm

        Hi Colin,
        The momentum of a passenger pulling on that mounting point in an impact is highly likely to cause the entire structure to collapse. This will make the reel anchor point the effective upper fixing. Imagine the angle at which that will be pulling downwards and the damage it will do to a human spine.
        Cheers,
        Bill.
        

        • Herald Convertible seat belts 

          Posted By : Savvas Regas, 15-Aug-2003, 00:57am

          Hi
          
          I'd like to fit rear seat belts in my Herald 1200. I prefer 3-point belts for safety. Can anyone post a picture of the correct mounting points and what these look like once installed so that I can work out how to make them both safe and easy on the eye?
          
          I intend to buy the Securon belts from the club or similar. Any thoughts on these? I take it that the front seat belts are a stright swap although I am worried the inertia reel might make the interior very unsightly.
          
          The car is a saloon, but a previous owner 'chopped' the roof. I would like to use it in both saloon and 'roof off' modes, so please advise how best to accomodate the seatbelts.
          
          Thanks,
          sav

          • Herald Convertible seat belts 

            Posted By : William Davies, 15-Aug-2003, 09:46am

            Hi Sav,
            Having owned Heralds fitted with similar Securon inertia reel belts you are considering, I would never install them myself. I consider the low mounting point for the shoulder portion of the belt a major hindrance, and one about which there is little that can be done - even on the Saloon there is no structural strength to the upper B-post, so it is not save to move the mounting to a higher position.
            The problem is that the low mounting means that the constant tension applied by the inertia reel exerts a constant downward pressure on your shoulder at all times. I found this extremely uncomfortable, and I am not particularly tall at 5'10". A taller driver might find this even more of a problem.
            I am currently looking at installing rear belts in a 1200 Saloon I have just acquired. I will be sticking with static belts as the height of the rear seat is no greater than the front - there is also the limited space for accomodating the reel. I don't have mounting points determined yet (the car only came home yesterday!), but I will feature the work in a future Courier article as it's one I'm frequently asked about. I'll be very interested in other responses from people who've already done this,]
            Cheers,
            Bill.
            

            • Herald Convertible seat belts 

              Posted By : Savvas Regas, 15-Aug-2003, 10:25am

              Thanks for the advice
              
              If only hard points had been 'designed in' originally. I think the major problem with static belts is that they are usually incorrectly adjusted by people not used to cars fitted with them. As you said before, these could also therefore lull you into a false sense of security.
              
              Inertia belts should also absorb more energy in an impact than static belts fastened tightly. The small free forward travel of the belt allows some energy to be dissipated before the inertial mechanism stops the reel. This should probably mean fewer broken ribs or other injuries due to crushing.
              
              sav

  • Herald Convertible seat belts 

    Posted By : Tom Higgins, 06-Aug-2003, 02:36pm

    I have inertia belts in the front and the previous owner had to cut holes in the side panels for the inertial mechanism to stick out of as it is too big to fit behind the panel.
    
    Is this the same in your case?
    Tom