Am I missing the point?

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:43 am

I've put this in the Member's section as it's a topic I'd like advice on, but didn't want to discuss 'in public'. The majority of people who's advice I'm interested in hearing are all member's anyhow...

For those of you that don't know my car, an introduction:

I bought KDM 555K back in August '07 for very little money. Knowing relatively little about early 911s at this stage, other than good ones are rare and expensive, I expected the car to be complete grotbox. This was OK, as I had plans to cock-about with it in the engine and interior trim departments.

After a short while, I had some people-in-the-know (incl. Tuthills & Nick) take a look at it, and it transpired it was actually a pretty good car, un-restored and original. By this time I had changed a few bits and pieces, like fitting adjustable shock absorbers, and slamming it to the floor. So I raised it up a touch and had a think about things...

It's obvious the value (not necessarily monetary) of this base-spec T lies in the fact that it has lasted 35 years on this planet, with no meddling. So I stopped lusting after PMOs and a 3.2 block, and started looking after it a bit. Along the way it picked-up some other modifications, such as new mats and a Prototipo, but nothing that isn't reversible. I've hung on to all the original parts (even the non-oil-fed cam followers and cover plates - ?!)

My dilemma came last week. I'd been meaning to change the seat belts since they are as old as the car and probably useless in a crash. The other thing is that they are static belts and I really, really hate them. They get jammed in the door, are a bitch to adjust with different passengers, wrap around your leg and tackle you to the ground as you leave the car, and don't feel particularly safe unless they are straight-jacket tight. I just hate them.

I don't mind fitting new belts (I will probably even keep the original ones with all the other bits because I am a gimp). The idea of buying another static setup filled me with a deep sense of foreboding, so I looked at retractable belts, but they require drilling the rear arch trim panel to reach the mounting hole - a non-reversible modification.

I've spent so long thinking about this. The whole thing seems utterly trivial, but at the same time I love the car and want to enjoy it, but don't want to be the tit that ruins it's single special attribute. Or have I already done that?

Philosophical discussion welcome. I'm lost and don't know where I've going with this...

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:22 am

Jamie

Your life is more important than the originality of one RHD 911. If you want inertia reel belts, then fit them; they are much easier to use and more comfortable than the old fixed ones, which in your case, being 35 years old, probably won't do the job as well, even if correctly adjusted. The fittings for the inertia reel is already on the inner wing. You could get another pair of side panels and just drill holes in them, keeping the originals for your garage, or get hold of a pair of the side panels with the reel covers. Very early ones are hard to come by, but you can use later ones from a 3.2 for instance and get the belt slots moved. We have just done this for a 73 car.

bjmullan · Post by **bjmullan** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:37 am

Jamie I agree with Nick and like you I love an orginal car whether it's an RS or a T. Unlike you however I love the old belts and when I'm in fast mode I do the bullit thing and tighten the belts

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:40 am

Change the belts

Ferry Man · Post by **Ferry Man** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:57 am

I've got static belts in mine.
They're sometimes a pain but not too bad. It's only really a problem with passengers because if you're accommodating various differently sized people then changing the fit is a might troublesome.
I've actually managed to find a pair of those rare early rear belt mechanism covers yet I haven't fitted them.
I'm no concours originality freak but the 'statics' look right and I'm happy with them.

abash914 · Post by **abash914** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:19 am

Nick says it all, I'd only add that should the worst happen, your protection is more important than (unseen) originality issues.
AA

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:11 am

I have statics & LOVE them

of course their main advantage is if you regularly have lots of different good looking women as passengers as each time they need 'help' adjusting the belts to fit their slender waists

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:46 am

You could stay static on the driver's side and fit an inertia on the passenger side. It would rather spoil James's fun though

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:54 am

I got two new ones from Quickfit not cheap but I know they are what I need as far as being totaly orginal with the cars lack of safety feactures over a newer car I just think the new style belts are a must as they are only bolted on and make such a difference. I think one of the best mods I have done.

I have a 3 point on my side but I will be fitting the inertia reel some time soon as the 3 point is a pain. Very secure but a pain..

theorangeperil · Post by **theorangeperil** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:33 am

Go inertia, as everyone says your safety is more important than a couple of non-original holes! I have a full set of 4 fitted by SBS, so I know the whole family is safe, but I have kept the statics just in case I ever become retentive!

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:02 am

but ... statics are no less safe than inertias assuming everything else is equal ... so don't argue getting rid of statics & fitting inertias is safer .

Convenience / comfort etcs is a different matter and I suppose depends entirely on use ( eg daily driver) and wether you're a softy

theorangeperil · Post by **theorangeperil** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:17 am

I think I was arguing new belts are safer than 35 year old ones!

Ferry Man · Post by **Ferry Man** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:20 am

hot66 wrote:you're a softy

Well, he is a 'Southerner'.

mycar · Post by **mycar** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:21 am

hot66 wrote: if you regularly have lots of different good looking women as passengers as each time they need 'help' adjusting the belts to fit their slender waists

Do tell us more.

Mike

MartinP · Post by **MartinP** » Mon May 12, 2008 12:34 pm

Phew! I thought I was the only one that did the old tightening manouvre when I'm in 'pursuit' mode! I've got old statics in my 912 and I love them. I changed the original statics to inertia in my old MGB and regretted it - more comfortable etc, but it just never felt right. With this in mind, I'm going to have Quickfit 're-web' the Porsche's static belts so at least I know that they're reasonably safe.

But - James, you should do what you want with your car. If you don't like statics, then change them. End of!