Seat belts for 406

[David C]

Does anyone have wisdom to offer on the subject of fitting seat belts to a 406 that doesn't have anchorage points as yet? I am considering the same setup as the 410 using the tops of the rear wheel arches but am open to better offers. Also undecided on whether or not to go for inertia reel. If anyone has good belts from 406 to 411 that may be suitable I would be pleased to hear from them.

[Geoff Kingston]

David,
These photographs from the quickfit website give you an idea how they approach the issue of putting seat belts into Bristol cars. As you can see they use the rail under the side windows for a mount whereas on my 411/3 the inertia reel was on the innner wheel arch and the belt came out in the cubby box area, so quite a long run over the back of the seat, there was no mount in the area immediately behind the door like these photos show.
On the 603 the inertia reel has been placed in the rear seat well and there is a mount through the trim below the rear side windows, so a more traditional three point arrangement, for that Bristol had welded a mounting point below the B post, I am happy if you want to take some photos of the arrangements on that car. Quikfit might be able to sell you all the parts needed but its a matter of taste if you could live with their arrangement for the mount through the side rail wood trim.
Geoff.

https://www.quickfitsbs.com/gallery_bristol.php

[David C]

Thank you, Geoff. That's a good starting point. Any idea when Bristol started fitting seat belts as standard?

[Geoff Kingston]

No I don't know when they started fitting them as standard but my 408 on a B Registration had them and obviously my 410 which was a 68 as if I remember correctly they had to be fitted 65 onwards They are not listed in the parts books so that is no help.
Geoff.

[David C]

I called Quickfit today. The inertia reel belt system as shown on their website comes in at around £1200 + VAT fitted which is a little more than I am keen to part with at the moment so the search for some decent Kangol style belts goes on.
It does seem that Quickfit can supply all parts to install these.

[Geoff Kingston]

David,
Years ago I bought the belts and fitting kit off them for my S2 Bentley and have still not got round to it. Compared to what some inexperienced garages may charge I don't think that is a bad price, but if you can weld or have access to someone who can this job can be done for a lot less. I have not recently looked to see if there are any long reach inertia reel belts available but certainly the shorter reach belts as used on the 603 are readily available. The issue is how you deal with the top mount on the door pillar, I will try in the next few days to photograph how Bristol dealt with this on the 603 and send you them directly.
The mount is lower than the mounts shown in their pictures and that may be down to current guidance, I had a look last night to see if the rails for the floor mount were on the scrap car but they were not even when I acquired it.
An alternative may be to mount the inertia reel units in the rear passenger footwells next to the transmission tunnels, a guide for the belt on the inboard top of the seats and a stalk between the seat and the door or perhaps better as was often done the receiver on another length of belt mounted between the door and the seat.
Geoff.

[Hillman]

There's a company in Bedford, Safety Belt Services, (01234 709999) that do all sorts of belts, belt repairs and kits/parts, specials. They claim to make belts for a range of classic cars. I don't really know anything about them - only what I've read, which has generally been positive. There's also a company in Essex - Universal Seatbelts, again, no direct knowledge.

[dwomby]

Originally Posted by Geoff Kingston

David,
>
>
>
An alternative may be to mount the inertia reel units in the rear passenger footwells next to the transmission tunnels, a guide for the belt on the inboard top of the seats and a stalk between the seat and the door or perhaps better as was often done the receiver on another length of belt mounted between the door and the seat.
Geoff.

My 408 has static belts but they are mounted that way. It took a while to get used to the buckle being on the outer side of the car!

David