Does anyone have pictures of what correct early seat belts look like? I am trying to find what is correct for my 1960 MK Ii. I think they are the kind that hooked into eye bolts attached to the floors, and I actually have some of the eye bolts but that is all. I don't even know what the eye bolts attach too!


I did review the Kriss Motors blog, and it has some really good insights and pictures, but the belts used on their car were not the latch type attached to eye bolts, and I wondered when those were fitted and how.


Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Not the best photo but sufficient to see the clip that goes onto the eye bolts.



If you can't find a US source, F.D.T.S. Ltd in the UK manufacture these seatbelts to original specification.

FDTS Ltd - Index Page

Although seatbelts weren't generally fitted to cars in the UK during the early 1960's, I had this same pattern in my 1964 DB5.

Graham

 

Thank you- that is helpful. They look like fixed three point belts. I wasn't sure they were an option that early.

 

all early seat belts have what is called "Sister Hooks" that attach to the eye bolts, a carryover from aircraft seat belts.

none were 3-point seat belts, they were Lap Belts. My 1965 S type still has the original lap belts.

Reproductions for early Jags can be had at 1953-72 Jaguar Seat Belts.Call (302) 629-8508
they have the original hardware and they will manufacture belts for you. They will send you color samples too. call them on the phone for that.

 

Thank's Jose. That is really helpful. They even sell the eyebolts! I like the idea of using the clip on aviation type. Just another cool feature of early Jags.

 

you're welcome CS Bush.

The belts in my '65 S type have BMC on the receiver buckle, which is also the same as aircraft or aviator style. The buckles have a gold plated inlay or logo.

curiously, my S type came "prepared" for 3-point seat belts from the factory, there is a chromed finishing bolt on each B post which can be removed and the threaded hole used for mounting the shoulder anchor / pivot of the 3-point belt. Jaguar even anticipated the correct bolt size!! (I think the whole thing was standardized early in the 1960's all over the western countries).

the 4 Eye bolts would be nice in chrome if you can afford them. Two mount vertically behind the rear of the seats, one on each side of the driveshaft hump just under 3/8" inch separated from the carpeting. Yes, you need to measure the carpeting and insulation or have them in place to get that clearance.

The other two also mount behind the front seats directly under each B post, also vertically.

you will need to drill 4 proper sized holes through the floor and then put a supporting plate on the outside of the floor, the bigger/ thicker the plate, the more holding strength in case of a bad crash, then tighten the eye bolt under it.

In my car those plates are welded to the underside of the floor. I think Andover has retro plates too.

if you are in Texas, I know an excellent business owned by Rock Browning called Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes A/C Kits | RetroAir Inc.

Rock has helped me a lot in the past with projects. He also sells a very well designed a/c system for these cars.

 

Thanks for the additional info on the eye bolts. I assume they were mounted in the car at some time as I found them in the glove box (this 1960 car had no interior). Thanks to you, now I know where to go look for the holes.


I have some B pillar covers from a 61 MK 2 that do not have the pre-drilled holes. The ones from my 67 MK II do have them with the chrome cover. It is nice that these are common across the different models.


Appreciate the recommendation on RetroAir. They do seem to be the best source for MK II AC. I was following Lin's installation with great interest. I am not to the point of needing to get the kit yet as I am still working on the body. But I need to talk to him pretty soon.
Chuck

 

Hi Chuck, are these pictures any help

Jon

 

Yes- thanks to you all.


Chuck