Vixen seatbelts
Discussion
Can anyone recommend a period seatbelt for the Vixen? I ditched the OE fit static belts when I first restored the car in the mid 90's and fitted 4 point harnesses which I've now decided are a PITA for road use and I want to revert to something more original.
I'm kind of hoping that someone will tell me that a pair out of a Scimitar or a TR6 or something are a suitable replacement and I can pick up a set on eBay quite easily. Don't really want brand new ones because they will be way too shiny and plasticky.
I'm kind of hoping that someone will tell me that a pair out of a Scimitar or a TR6 or something are a suitable replacement and I can pick up a set on eBay quite easily. Don't really want brand new ones because they will be way too shiny and plasticky.
I have recently bought a pair of 3 point seat belts from sports and classics (a quick google will find them). The old belts in my Vixen were hard to adjust, looked a bit ratty, were very grey and had flaky chrome and peeling "Press" stickers on them. I pondered for a while about whether to retain authenticity and put up with the shabby appearance or if I should make it more presentable? I am going to do a few interior jobs next weekend and this will include fitting my new belts so I will update you then, but so far the belts look in period and seem to be well made. 2 minutes with wire wool would take the newness off them if that is a problem, but I imagine they look more original than the 4 point harness that was previously fitted to your car.
I briefly thought about fitting retractable inertia belts because it can be annoying when the buckle drops onto the sill and you don't realise until you try to close the door, but I can't quite live with the British Leyland look of the classic/retro seat belts on offer. I also decided that because it is generally the same driver and the same passenger most of the time, ease of adjustment is not that important, so static 3 point belts suited me more than the stiff cable attached through the transmission tunnel with a big red plastic press button.
I suppose the advantage of a Vixen is that there were many variations that left the factory and by now so many modifications have been made that it is forgivable to stray a little bit from the original spec. I haven't owned my car for long, but I fully intend to keep it as close to original as possible but it still needs to be a car I want to get in and drive, so a few minor modifications to improve everyday driving are more important to me than having a museum piece that is a bind to use. I doubt there are many Vixens running on the same headlamps/bulbs as per the original, it''s just a question of what each individual deems possible to live with or endure.
I briefly thought about fitting retractable inertia belts because it can be annoying when the buckle drops onto the sill and you don't realise until you try to close the door, but I can't quite live with the British Leyland look of the classic/retro seat belts on offer. I also decided that because it is generally the same driver and the same passenger most of the time, ease of adjustment is not that important, so static 3 point belts suited me more than the stiff cable attached through the transmission tunnel with a big red plastic press button.
I suppose the advantage of a Vixen is that there were many variations that left the factory and by now so many modifications have been made that it is forgivable to stray a little bit from the original spec. I haven't owned my car for long, but I fully intend to keep it as close to original as possible but it still needs to be a car I want to get in and drive, so a few minor modifications to improve everyday driving are more important to me than having a museum piece that is a bind to use. I doubt there are many Vixens running on the same headlamps/bulbs as per the original, it''s just a question of what each individual deems possible to live with or endure.
Thanks for the pointer towards Quicksbs. Like the look of their period 3pt statics so going to order a pair of those tomorrow.
BTW I would have no qualms about fitting second hand seat belts. If you're going to crash a Vixen at any kind of speed where a seat belt might do something then your probably in trouble anyway long before the quality of your seatbelts has any influence on your injuries.
BTW I would have no qualms about fitting second hand seat belts. If you're going to crash a Vixen at any kind of speed where a seat belt might do something then your probably in trouble anyway long before the quality of your seatbelts has any influence on your injuries.
phillpot said:
nwarner said:
I wouldn't have thought buying second hand seat belts was a very good idea.
Do you put new seat belts in when you buy a second hand car? 
I like the classic Kangol magnet seat belts. they were in a great deal of cars from the 60s and 70s (Mercedes, Lotus, Jag, MG...) and you can find them used on line or from salvage yards. They just need to be re webbed. When ever I see them I grab them. The cool thing is, you can buy "TVR" stickers for them and they look right at place in our cars.
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