Wide variation of seat-belts used

[SeanDezart]

Over here, seatbelts seem to have varied in their supply.

My 1st 240, a 1973 UK model had inertia reel belts (3 pt system). A friends 1973 240 here in France has the same, another friends 1973 240 has a non-inertia system but still 3 pt but the lap-belt 'clip together' system.
My US imported 1972 240 had the 3 pt inertia system with the belt 'reserve' in the floor (as per the 280Z?) !

Did each importer fit belts in order to pass their countrys' laws at the time ? ie, In France (for example) the law insisted upon inertia belts after the end of 1972 ?
In the US, lap belts were popular - when did Zs start being supplied (by whom) with the 3 pt system, inertia and otherwise?

(Theory seems even more difficult to prove - I just looked up an image of an early French 240 - straight gear lever - which has the 3 pt inertia system !).

 

[Mr.F]

As far as I am aware, no 240Z was originally fitted with inertia belts in the U.K. The belts were U.K. made (Britax and/or Wipac?), sticker badged "Datsun" and of the three point fixed design with fixed floor mounted stalk. I suspect they were fitted by the dealers after import, along with the "optional" door mirrors.

I would guess that early owners may have quickly thrown them out in favour of inertia belts, but the mounting points need to be modified for this.

U.S.A. belts in 240Zs generally seem to be lap only or a three piece belt which can be optionally used as "lap" or "lap and diagonal".

 

[SeanDezart]

Mike,

"no 240Z was originally fitted with inertia belts in the U.K.....sticker badged "Datsun" and of the three point fixed design with fixed floor mounted stalk" - wasn't the 'Britax' belt an inertia reel then ?

And can anyone explain why the same market would have cars with different belts ?

Did the fact that a 240 had to have replacement seat - belts and front lights, indicator repeaters above the front bumper and (anything else ?) explain why it was so expensive ? I know there were importation limits and taxes but there also seems to have been no small amount of dealers / importers labour time jsut to have these cars pass the UK MOT laws.

 

[Mr.F]

Back in the early days of the Club, the inertia seat belt mod was a topic of the tech tips pages in the mag and at meetings. Various types were used, usually involving fabricated brackets from the rear strut towers to hold a horizontal inertia reel. For a vertical reel, I believe that a new fixing point has to be drilled on the rear wheel arch and a strengthening plate used the other side.

My memory might be confusing original fitments with later stalk types - now no two cars seem to have the same thing fitted and most will have discarded the original parts. I have had a few customers who require originality have belts reconditioned by a London based firm who specialise in this sort of thing (Quickfit Safety Belt Service 0208 206 0101).

Later 260Zs (particularly 2+2 models) had inertia reel as standard, I think......

The U.K. market (and now more particularly the EU market) has always had particular requirements not catered for by the exporters. Even the 350Z spends several weeks in Sunderland having U.K. specific items fitted. Obviously this will add to the final cost of an official import in the U.K. market.

 

[Tony 260Z]

My 260 (1979) has inertia belts. But I do remember one of Wandy's cars had the 3-point non-inertia type. I'd have to ask him whether it was his 240 or 260. I also remember a particularly hair-raising warp-speed trip down the A127 whilst wondering whether those non-inertia belts were any good...

 

[bpaccaudjanspeedZ]

seat belt

hello all
My 260z 2+2 1977 have inertie seat belt reel, but the driver side (the original one) is very special

the passenger side was modified probably in the 1980 when my car was modified in England with the janspeed turbo kit, because the push button buckle is stamp of Datsun Richard and made in England at the back..........

see the picture of the buckles in my gallery when they are approved

And see also the differents assembly possibility file

Benoit

 

[s2k_adz]

Hey guys! Dragging this up from the past!

I've been trying to fit belts to My 1978 UK 260Z.

It didn't come with belts when I got it so I assumed I'd just put (to me anyways) the nearest solution belts in, which is an intertia reel on top of the rear strut tower with the 280Z cover.

I bought a set of belts and the covers and went about fitting. Theres holes etc for all the brakets to hold the covers but no hole for the actual belts at all?

Anyone have any idea how I'd fit one here? I was suggested rivnuts but not sure how safe that would be? I don't think you can get to the other side to plate and bolt it.

 

[jonbills]

not sure about attaching to rear strut tower - mine are attached to the top of the B pillar, a couple of foot behind your head. there should be a reinforced captive but there on yours too, I think.

 

[s2k_adz]

Hmm I'll pull the trim out and take a look Jon. There's no hole in the original trim though and it's definitely not there on the photos from when I picked it up. It's an anomaly!

Ideally now I've cut all my covers I'd like to put it on the rear strut tower. Just not sure how to go about safely fixing it

 

[grb184]

not sure about attaching to rear strut tower - mine are attached to the top of the B pillar, a couple of foot behind your head. there should be a reinforced captive but there on yours too, I think.

In my 1977 260z I have non inertia seatbelts which are fitted to the strut towers, I did look at relocating them to the B pillar, but the captive nuts are not there (the holes are but not the nuts).

I would like to run inertia belts as the fixed ones only just go round my generous frame. I would have to fit them from the strut towers, but need to ensure I get the right ones (I have a habit of ordering the wrong stuff and have it sitting on a shelf for years).

It seems from the threads above there is no standard solution nor fitment.

Hope the attached helps