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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Seat belts

I've been looking at seat belts for use in my Frogeye.
For the short (buckle) piece some use a cable stalk, whist others use a length of webbing. Assuming that either will place the buckle in the correct position low down on one's hip is there a benefit of one over the other?

My '71 car uses a semi rigid cable but is a non standard as it is fitted with MGF seats and wouldn't be the same length as for a Sprite.
GuyW

Guy

Here is some useful info on mounting belts in Frogeyes: http://ww.gerardsgarage.com/Garage/Tech/SeatBeltWS.htm

If you do have the twin bolt upper mounts fitted, then Quickfit
Safety Belt Services will make up a belt with the correct fitting. I would recommend this supplier as very helpful and will make up what you need. https://www.quickfitsbs.com/classic_cars_seatbelts.php You get to choose fittings and belt material. They made one for me with the twin bolt upper fitting with clicking clip fittings so I could use eyebolt fittings for the lap part to suit using a four point harness (but could have just had bolt in if wanted)

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

I think the rigid cable type came about as the short webbing used to get lost down the side of the seat on many cars and became fairly normal across all car ranges including the Spridget.
Not sure with Frog seats if that is an issue ?

My '67 1275 (long time gone to MG heaven after I sold it) had the original Kangol magnetic type which were soft ended.
richard b

Mine came with the stalk type but I have been thinking of changing as I think the stalk is too long for our cars, certainly if you have the seat right back as most do. I also think the webbing type hold you in the seat better and give you better adjustment as well. Having said that I have never been a fan of the stalk type on any car as I like to be held fairly tight in the seat.

Trev
T Mason

Richard, I think you will find the rigid type came about when the requirement to have one handed operation came into force.

Trev
T Mason

Thanks all,
I should add perhaps that my location points are as for a 1275. When rebuilding the Frogeye I fitted new inner sill which had the anchor points already fitted, I welded plates into the tunnel and also to the top of the wheel arch. The latter is on the highest point to give me the best, closest to horizotal, angle for the strap to the shoulder.

Securon do 3 options: a short 150mm rigid blade, a 300mm cable and a 320mm belt. The first would probably be neatest, but may be awkward to get at to release as it would be tucked down between the Frogeys seat "horn" and the tunnel. The cable would be easier, but more obtrusive. The belt one possibly a bit too long for correct positioning and might be tiresome to retrieve if it slipped down beside the seat.

Just measured the cable stalk with my quite thick MGF seats and that one is 240mm
GuyW

Guy

If you want something period looking and static three point, try Quickfit Safetbelts, picking the colour and style of webbing and fittings. Off the shelf Securon inertia reel belts will be cheaper, but you might be pleasantly surprised with the cost as well as value of a custom belt. Just say you have 1275 midget mounts but want an earlier style belt to suit a Frogeye.

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Guy, I was sold these by and recommended by Frogeye Spares a few years ago, but not fitted yet. The cable part is about 300mm which I hope isn't too long.
Bill Bretherton

Bill, that's pretty much what I've got fitted on my frogeye.
G Lazarus

Bill, is that one with a type number of 513/30?

Mike, yes I have been looking at the Quickfit ones. I got them to send me some colour samples as as I did consider colour matching my dark blue interior but having seen them I am not so sure. There's a rather "bling" glisten on the belt webbing material used which stands out more on the blue than on the standard black. I think I will just stick with black or maybe grey.

Gary . . . and the fixed stalk bit isn't too long then I assume? Do you have standard seats?
GuyW

Guy, Mine are 514/30. Just looking at Securon website and they list 500/30 for Sprte mk1.
Bill Bretherton

I misread the Securon site info. Yes I meant 514/30 Seems like that's the one to go for then.
GuyW

Well, if Gary likes his, the 514/30 sounds ok. Looking at Securon website again, it seems the difference between the 500/30 and 514/30 is that the latter has a sensor to allow for mounting at different angles which we presumably need.
Bill Bretherton

No Bill, the 500 series have the retractor at the base of the B post, with an intermediate fixing as on a modern saloon.
The 514 ones have a straight pull from the retractor so it can mount on the wheel arch.
GuyW

Ah, thanks for the correction Guy. So I likely have the right ones.
Bill Bretherton

Yes, and you are right about the angle adjustment bring available on the 214. That's what I am going for.
Now, black or grey? Thinking grey might look better with my light blue paintwork?
GuyW

RED!!
Red belts are faster!
Haha!
Greybeard

True, Greybeard. My MG Maestro turbo had red belts. That was quite fast!
GuyW

If my memory is correct, on the original fit Kangol magnetic buckle type static belts, the adjustment to ensure correct tension was on the webbing end that attached to the tunnel. When this was replaced by the stiff wire, all the adjustment had to be done on the main belt.
Ray Rowsell

Guy, because I'm quite short, 5'5" on a good day, my standard seat is quite far forward, so the stalk isn't too long for me.
G Lazarus

Any photo with your frogs exterior&interior Guy to see what color belt would look good on your car?

Like Mike Wood mentioned earlyer Quickfit safetybelts are great to "make/design" your own belts.
Done so too couple years ago, great quality!
Only havent fitted them yet... :)
Some day!

www.quickfitsbs.com/components_colours.php





A de Best

I bought the Securon 514/30 belts, in black. The stalk is 30cms. It fits ok and the buckle sits as it should, on one's hip. My rebuilt seats with new foam are quite high, but may settle in which case the buckle might be a bit more obtrusive. But I am happy enough with them for now.


GuyW

This thread was discussed between 29/10/2020 and 16/11/2020

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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