Seat Belt question

[GrahamF]

Were there any cars fitted with inertia reel front seat belts and a buckle block like this:

or am I wasting my time looking?

Even if there were only static belts, does anyone know where I might get just the metal bits that plug into the buckle block, so I can modify a set of inertia reels with the wrong tang.

Graham

[johnnydog]

Hi Graham,
Are you wanting to know if any models in the 2000 range were fitted with the female buckles like the one in the photo, or which Triumph models were fitted with one like that?
Early Mk2 2000 / 2.5PI had similar buckles, but they all had white release buttons. I also had 1973 Stag with white release buttons.
I've seen reference to the Stag and Dolomite with red release buttons.
I may be wrong, but I believe the main difference was the shape of the male chrome part of the buckle - the ones for the white release button variety had just one large cut out, whereas the red release button type had two cut outs.

[Charles H]

John and Graham, the early Mk2 release buttons on the cars I have had were all black with white writing. The only white ones I have seen are on stags.

[GrahamF]

I'm wanting to fit one of those blocks in my Dolomite, as it was original spec. I don't know which car that one pictured was from, but it seems some of the Dolomite ones had black buttons and the strap had a coarse weave and some had red buttons - not sure with what weave belt They also had an extension off the main belt to the belt buckle end that was sheathed in plastic, like a sort of archer's wrist brace or vambrace. I'm told they all had a wide insert with a single large cut-out.

I see static Spitifire ones with the single cut-out and two individual buckle blocks and a coarse weave and no extensions off the belt.

I can also see pictures of what's claimed to be a Mk2 2000/2500 static set on a more modern tight weave belt, also with a single cut out, and with black buttons on the dual buckle block. There's a set the same listed on eBay in the US as "Britax AN600 Triumph MG Austin Mini Lotus Land Rover Seatbelt Buckle 3 Point" at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354457006830.

I haven't yet seen any with white buttons, but I'll go look in a min.

I don't much want to start hacking a good set apart, but what I think I want to find is a pair of the extensions with the buckle ends and fit them to a set of inertia reel belts with their extensions cut off. I may have to try hacking the metal at the other end from the buckle to get it over the plate that bolts behind the reel, but I reckon I can do that and still have something safe.

Graham

[GrahamF]

John and Graham, the early Mk2 release buttons on the cars I have had were all black with white writing. The only white ones I have seen are on stags.

Hi Charles,

Were any of them inertia reel?

Graham

[GrahamF]

I see that gRimmers show the original Stag ones with a twin buckle block with red buttons - and no longer available. Mind you, I've trusted what gRimmers show before, and paid the price for that.

But, interestingly, they show the buckles on the belts with two holes. So I wonder if either will do - or if not, whether I want the two hole ones for the block I've bought anyway.

Graham

[johnnydog]

John and Graham, the early Mk2 release buttons on the cars I have had were all black with white writing. The only white ones I have seen are on stags.

You are correct Charles - that was actually what was in my head, but I wrote white buttons On the Mk2 2000 range yes, they did have black buttons with white 'Press'. Trying to think now what Triumphs did have white buttons. My Stag did have the same black buttons with a white wording 'Press'.

[GrahamF]

And then there are the white bodies with black buttons.

One of the Dolomite guys is wondering if the black and red buttons match with the one and two holes in the buckle ends. He reckons red buttons were a requirement from when seat belts became mandatory in the front. That could complicate my task.

Graham

[johnfrancis898]

I’d give Quickfit Safety Belt Services a call. www.quickfitsbs.com.
I just got a complete new set and they reused the existing buckles. They can refurb the center housings as well if required. Fully tested and guaranteed. Changed colour of the webbing from black to beige to match the interior. Took about a week. They are based in High Wycombe.

[GrahamF]

Unfortunately, I don't have a set to refurbish.

So far I have a twin centre unit with red buttons (didn't he win an Oscar?), and a set of later dolomite inertial reel belts that don't, yet, fit into the centre unit. If I can find a set of belt buckles to go in the centre unit, I'll be much better placed to get something done.

Graham