Rear seat belts - Elite

[richardw]

I have inertia reel belts fitted to the rear of my Elite, but am thinking of changing to static belts as the inertia reels don't allow the seats to sit down properly - they are slightly tilted down sideways towards the centre of the car. I also suspect it is reducing what legroom there is. For the number of times I carry rear passengers (to date zero - my 16 year old daughter won't go in it as she says the car is 'too in yer face!') then I may go back to static belts, which I believe were fitted as original equipment.

Has anybody had similar experiences (with inertia reel seat belts not daughters)? I've got to remove the rear seats soon to address some wiring issues, so might as well do it at the same time.

Thanks, Richard

[DWH]

I would be tempted to try and get the inertia belts to fit properly rather than go back to static belts. Inertia ones are much more comfortable and easier to use and I believe safer as they will be a more snug fit and so less slack to take up in the event of being needed. Excels manage to accommodate them without problem and so I would hope that you can make them fit into the Elite. You can get after-market inertia reels that can be mounted at any angle which may help you.
I had inertias fitted to a Stag that I own for my boys could travel in the back. They didn't go in it often but it gave me piece of mind when they did.
It's like an insurance policy, you hope you never need to rely on it but it makes sense to have the best you can get for that one time that you might need it. Especially with rear seat belts where front seat occupants can be seriously injured by unrestrained rear passengers. You only need to have one "incident" to make some effort getting inertia reels to fit properly to make it worthwhile...............
Your daughter will soon realise that Elites are "uber-cool" and want to go in the car, probably with her friends too !.
All IMHO of course
Stunning shape to the Elite, all the best with it.

[don.hasi]

Richard: are we talking about 2 or 3 point belts?

[richardw]

They are 2 point belts.

I'm pessimistic about a solution based on the Excel being feasible, as Lotusbits fitted the belts and if there had been a way to make them fit without interfering with the rear seats I'm sure they'd have used it.

I'm not too worried about fitting statics in the rear - they still work as long as passengers take the time to adjust them. I'd make especially sure that they did.

If there were a way to fit 3 point belts I'd be interested in that.

Thanks for your comments, Richard

[don.hasi]

For 3point belts are two further mounting brackets needed in the Excel. I don't know whether it possible to interchange these or there were any alterations on the body as well. Mike should know it. On the Excel the automatic mechanism is located on the top in the bracket. So there are no clearance issues.

Sure: you will have to modify the seat parts for getting the additional opening.

I wanted to fit 2 point automatics as well in my Éclat. But if it doesn't fit properly... do you have any pictures of it?

[richardw]

I'll post pictures when I get the rear seats out - when it gets a bit warmer!

ATB Richard

[don.hasi]

For my own decision process a picture of the seats themselves with the tilted situation would already help

[richardw]

Hi Don,

I took the picture but have completely forgotten how to post pictures here. I'll need to do some research when I have a bit more time.

Alternatively pm me your email and I'll send it the easy way!

ATB Richard