Author Topic: Can you buy new lotus seat belts  (Read 1644 times)

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Offline Runningwild

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Can you buy new lotus seat belts
« on: Monday,October 01, 2018, 12:22:07 PM »
What has everyone done for seat belts. 68 S2. Nothing came with my car. Would Miata seat belts work?  Can you get new lotus ones.  Tom

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Re: Can you buy new lotus seat belts
« Reply #1 on: Monday,October 01, 2018, 01:11:55 PM »
I have seen where several people have found a "generic" three point harness with retractors that seem to work well. I bought a set from Richard at Banks back when I was building my care (almost 20 years ago, now) but I couldn't see how they would work. Maybe I missed something and it was probably something obvious. I no longer have them but Richard sells seat belt sets for a bit over 50 pounds. I would think that they would work - at least he could explain how to make them work if there was a trick to it.

In the end I used my original belts sending them to an operation named Ssnake-Oyl (http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/). They did a great job re-webbing them in the color of my interior but they could not rebuild my retractors. Luckily, they were in pretty good working order. I mention them in case you get an old original set. They have some generic belts that might work but I wouldn't expect them to know about Europas.

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Can you buy new lotus seat belts
« Reply #2 on: Monday,October 01, 2018, 01:50:10 PM »
Can you buy new belts that are the same as original equipment?  Nope, no longer available.  The S2 originally used Kangol seatbelts like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-111-112-113-Genuine-OEM-Seat-Belt-Kangol-LD3-3-Way-Mounting-Nice/292499504520?hash=item441a543d88:g:Z3IAAOSwKXdag2pf

They are usually some on ebay, occasionally NOS.  I bought NOS ones meant for a military Land Rover and modified them to Europa spec.

Too much?  Don't care about originality?  You can buy aftermarket 3-point, manual-adjust belts that fir right in.  Any British parts supplier carries them.

Offline Bodzer

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Re: Can you buy new lotus seat belts
« Reply #3 on: Monday,October 01, 2018, 01:56:53 PM »
Hi Tom,

Securon in the UK supply all varieties of belts. When I ordered a set for my +2 from Sue Miller (Elan specialist) they were Securon belts.

http://www.securon.co.uk/products.htm

Part number 200 looks like it would match.

I had my kangol belts refurbished by a company called FTDS seatbelts in England. Excellent service and communication.

Offline 4129R

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Offline LotusJoe

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Re: Can you buy new lotus seat belts
« Reply #5 on: Monday,October 01, 2018, 04:04:33 PM »
I recently had my belts refurbished.... It was like $65.00 per belt and they came back like new. New winders, new webbing, metal polished up. For me it was well worth it.
Joe Irwin
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(The Classic Barn Find)


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Re: Can you buy new lotus seat belts
« Reply #6 on: Monday,October 01, 2018, 04:21:17 PM »
Joe, did you get original belts refurbished. If so, where did you send them?

Offline LotusJoe

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Re: Can you buy new lotus seat belts
« Reply #7 on: Monday,October 01, 2018, 04:38:32 PM »
Joe Irwin
3927R TC Special
(The Classic Barn Find)


Offline BobW

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Re: Can you buy new lotus seat belts
« Reply #8 on: Monday,October 01, 2018, 07:21:39 PM »
I don't know at what point retractors came into use but the OP's S2 probably didn't have them. My late 69 S2 doesn't.