Seat belts for a 72 Spider

[njoconnor]

I pulled the (very dead and crusty) factory set, which were the horizontal oriented retractors located under the seats. I find that all the retracting sets have retractors which must be vertical....and there's no room at the outboard mounting points for a retractor unless I want to drive with my knees through the steering wheel (ouch!). I can settle for non-retracting 3 points (found the factory shoulder belt mounts), but want to check with all y'all experts to see if anyone knows of a retracting set which will work with these cars.

Off for new tires this morning (simple lap belt temporarily in place), then to a local restorer for a look/estimate on repairing the "left front tire inspection ports" behind the brake pedal.....

Thanks

[baltobernie]

I got mine from http://www.gotbelts.com and used their cable-style female end. This vendor has a number of new items since I bought from them three years ago; maybe they have some suggestions.



You'll have to cut a slot in the bracket to insert the new one (buckle won't fit thru the opening), then weld up the slot, and finish it smooth so the belt doesn't catch or fray. You could also get a three-point set from a newer Spider. I don't feel all that safe with just the lap belt, until I look at the slender cast windshield frame, and realize it's the only thing between my noggin and the asphalt.

FYI, in case you don't know this ... all seat belt hardware is SAE, regardless of country-of-origin of the car.

[baltobernie]

PS, if you have perforating rust on the firewall near the brake pedal, also check the integrity of the clutch cable mounting hole nearby. It's not uncommon to have flexing there if the metal isn't good.

[njoconnor]

Bernie:

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check outy gobelts, as well as the clutch cable issue. I'm not getting any sponginess with the pedal set, but it's definitely worth a look.

At the tire shop, the found that the rear hubs had been fairly stripped from ham handed bolt use. So...I guess I'm looking at new hubs/discs for the rear (fronts are good). Also going to change back to factory lug bolts and maybe ditch the aftermarket non-FIAT wheels earlier than planned. Anyone with suggestions of 13 inch wheels, welcome to post or email back channel (neil.oconnor1@charter.net).

FIAT's.....never "done"......and why I bought another one!