Rear seat belts

[B685 OLP]

Hi everyone!

With B685 running sweetly and treating me well (touch wood), friends and family are suitably impressed by my acquisition. I have encountered one problem in the shape of the rear seatbelts or the lack thereof. Obviously an optional extra at the time, the previous (elderly) owner obviously saw no need to fit them. I would however like to fit them now and preferably as original as possible (I currently have the red MG front belts). So any ideas a) where i could find them b) what i would need and c) whether i can fit them myself?

Thanks everyone

[ben rawlings]

aye, same ere.

i need to fit some rear seat belts to my vandenplas......

its the dark brown intererior as well so i might be in for a wait....

[Slaphead]

aye, same ere.

i need to fit some rear seat belts to my vandenplas......

its the dark brown intererior as well so i might be in for a wait....


I'll be waiting twice as long,as i've got 2 cars with brown belts! :banghead:

[SimonR]

So any ideas a) where i could find them b) what i would need and c) whether i can fit them myself?


Hi there,

a) Keep looking on eBay - I've seen several sets listed in the past. If you can make do with grey ones then I know that there are still sets at Ledbury. I bought one and fitted it myself.

b) You might need either to replace the rear plastic shelves or cut slots in them, depending on whether or not yours already have the slots through which the seatbelts pass. Tools-wise, you will need a large Torx driver (I used a socket-mounted one) and I think a 17mm spanner.

c) Yes, you can easily fit them yourself. Have a look at the instructions (http://www.maestro.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=2360) that I posted some while ago.

One thing to note: when you attach the reel on the driver's side you'll probably find that the little spiggot (you'll see what I mean!) doesn't locate properly into the hole. I've done this job on three Maestros and they were all the same. I think the hole is just inthe wrong place by about 3mm.

[MG MAL]

If you contact Mark Ridgwell at premier Rover in Romford, and give him the part no.'s for the colour of belts you require, he will do his utmost to find some for you.
They have a large stockpile of obsolete parts and there is a good chance he will have the belts you need.

Premier Rover 01708 746050 (ask for Mark when calling)


Mal.

[matthewsemple]

I fitted these to my 1984 MG Maestro - get the plastic shelf bits as well becuase if you cut a big hole to put the belt reel through you'll be able to see into the boot.

[B685 OLP]

Thanks everyone, i'll give those guys a ring. Luckily i do have the slit thingies in the parcel shelf so i am ready for installation!

[ChrisM]

I can understand that you want to fit rear belts for the safety of passengers, but, personally, I prefer the early cars to be as they left the factory, i.e. without them! IMO it adds to the character of the cars... especially in Rich's 1.3 Montego; it's certainly an experience riding in the back of that, sliding around all over the place... ;)

*Ahem* Having said that, Simon did a great job of fitting the seatbelts in A335, and any passengers I have carried have been happier than in my other car...

[B685 OLP]

You're right, I think this relates back to the age old original v. modifications argument. For the record i am with you 100% when it comes to originality and for that reason i would never make any additions that would alter the overall look of the car in that respect. For example, however good some people may think the X-spoke alloys look, i would not put them on my car as this would have not been possible when B685 rolled of the production line. In addition, if B685 had not had the slits in the parcel shelves, i would never have considered this modification but as this was an optional extra for the car at the time, i don't think it makes a great deal of difference. Any views?

Cheers

[ChrisM]

Ah yes, good point about them being optional extras at the time...

As far as originality goes, I can't really talk, there are currently plans to rip out the interior of my 1984 1.3L and replace it with something a little less, err, brown ;)

[MaestroMatt]

You're right, I think this relates back to the age old original v. modifications argument. For the record i am with you 100% when it comes to originality and for that reason i would never make any additions that would alter the overall look of the car in that respect. ... Any views?


I don't agree in the slightest. I think any mod that improves the safety, performance, functionality or comfort level of the car while remaining sympathetic (i.e. is probably a Rover part) is a valid one. Why jepoardise the lives of passengers in the rear of your car by being precious about originality? Why not retro-fit electric mirrors/windows/sunroof?

It is only a Maestro, after all!

[E_T_V]

I guess it depends on your purpose for the car. For example there is no way I'd put rear belts in lind'z VDP as it is totally original, but I would put them in a daily runner or for example my campervan. It isn't just the safety of the rear passengers remember, the thing they'll hit is the person in the front seat, if that government advert with the guy eating pizza in the car is anything to go by.

[Beaker]

For example there is no way I'd put rear belts in lind'z VDP as it is totally original,

I don't think anyone has ever sat in those rear seats.

[MaestroSpecial]

I fitted these to my 1984 MG Maestro - get the plastic shelf bits as well becuase if you cut a big hole to put the belt reel through you'll be able to see into the boot.

The rear shelf panels do not have the gap in them for the seatbelts??

*Looks forward to seeing this on 'GGW* :p

[Beaker]

No the early speaker shelfs aren't cut for rear seatbelts (have a look at mine at shows this year), what matthew means is make sure you get the part that sits in the hole that the belt goes through as well, otherwise you will have a big hole.