Am I missing the point?

[Nick Moss]

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

And I was suggesting that a correctly adjusted belt is worth an awful lot more than a loose belt. A tightly adusted new static is certainly better than an inertia, but so much more inconvenient. Try pulling out of a junction with poor visibilty with tight statics, it's very tempting to slacken them off or even undo them to increase one's field of view.

[Dicey]

A CG-Lock may be a solution to the convenience of an inertia belt and the security of a fixed. Totally reversible too!

http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/cg-lock/

I've got one and think it works really well for those press on moments. They do club discounts for bulk buys.

Mike.
Forgot my membership number...

[58A - 71E]

Is the issue static v inertia seat belts or whether making mods to a car affects its value/originality / should you do it?

I fitted 4 new belts from SBS 2 weeks ago in mine replacing the statics - it didnt even cross my mind about whether I should or shouldnt start attacking it with the drill!
As far as I am concerned its my car to do with as I please and any mods I make are for my purposes - of course that doesnt include putting on a short hood or whale tale circa late 80s/early 90s stylee - the point is no-one could argue they werent sensible or well intentioned - I have made several modifactions to the stock spec (especially during a recent engine rebuild) and dont regret one of 'em

Dont worry about it and get the drill out

[jamie]

Wow. I never imagined such a debate!

I do understand the safety issues are of key importance (and yes, I do have the statics very slack because I hate not being able to see out of tight junctions / adjust the radio / itch my nuts etc).

Either way, the 35 year old ones -are- going to be swapped-out soon. I did a post about this when I first got the car, never changed them, and have probably done about 6k miles since then, which was a bit stupid.

The problem I was having (I should have made this more clear) is whether my dislike of static belts was enough justification to drill the arch trim panel and fit an ugly retractor / cover-that-doesn't-quite-match, or whether I should leave everything as originally intended and put up with it...

The other option, as mentioned in the earlier post, is to fit the retractor out of sight at the base of the B-pillar, although this would require drilling a hole in the carpet and the chassis at this point.

[richkaz]

Jamie I've just had the job done 2 weeks ago. My car came with a pair of LUKE racing harness's. I'm sure they are essential for the track but looked pretentious , were time consuming to put on and made driving extremely restrictive and uncomfortable. Passengers hated them !
I bought a couple of very nice slim line inertia reel belts from the Porscheshop. The price including VAT and post was approx. £ 200.
My local garage fitted them and re undersealed around the holes for £95.00. Porsche shop sent the incorrect long stalks but replaced them with the correct short stalks that mount onto the bottom of the seat and don't require drilling another hole. They sent the replacements within 24 hours. Excellent service.
BLIMEY WHAT A DIFFERENCE.
BEST £ 300 SPENT SO FAR !
Richard

[liam 914]

Hang on for a second Jamie. You've already said it. You bought this car because it was there and you wanted it. You bought it for you, even thinking it was a dog at the price but you thought it was for you. I am not someone who is a classic car anal retentive. I just love cars. I think I first read about you buying this car in Performance Volkswagon, although I could be wrong. Were you a DDK member before you bought the car or were you like me , loved it, bought it and then found a forum of enthusiasts with a similar love and some expert knowledge that you were not privvy to before. Don't forget why YOU bought the car because of what other people say. You bought it at a silly cheap price for that car because you wanted it and were prepared to take a risk. It's yours, you won't make a loss, make it what you want and enjoy it.

[Helen]

Larry swopped the 911t static belts for enertia belts. can't wait for him to do the same to the 911s.

the static belts are such a pain to use. especially if like Larry and i you often swop drivers.

[pmjt]

Only just caught up with this....

The real issue is are the original belts in good order and properly fitted? If so, they're fine - as James points out an inertia belt is no safer than a static - just more convenient.

Personally? The RS, the S and L all have statics and I love them; the rep has inertias - I loathe them - they'll be going for static harnesses as soon as I get the cage - I also feel MUCH safer tugging the belt down tight when I'm driving - statics should never be 'loose' - comfortable yes, loose no.

That said - as to your original question - the value in a car might be it's originality - a modern safety upgrade is perfectly permissible and IMHO has sod all to do with effecting the value - do whatever makes you happy driving

P

[Alan @ CanfordClassics]

Hello Jamie,

If you do go down the inertia route, as you know the fixing point for the reel is already there, so it just requires a hole made in the rear 1/4 cover. The rear 1/4 covers already have a circular hole in the board it self. As your car is a 72 you could fit the 1 year (ish) only 1972 covers and it would still be inkeeping with the car. These are rare but can be found, or use some later ones, I have pics (if it helps) of these if required as we have trimmed a few sets now for customers that want to fit and hide inertia belt reels.

Thanks

Alan

[jamie]

Cheers guys. I had a reality check and decided I really was missing the point. It happened about two weeks ago as I was stressing over a CO meter readout trying to get my Zeniths back in some sort of shape for the third weekend in a row.

It going to get a (completely reversible) EFI install, along with a set of retractable seat belts that aren't 35 years old, and I'm going to try to enjoy driving it more and having to mess about with it less.

[Gary71]

Best I go and look in the garage then

pm in a bit Jamie.

[jamie]

Cheers Gary!

[tanick]

Jamie, I had exactly the same dilemma. I found a pair of the 73 MY rear quarter panels which go over the reels at Husborne Crawley for £20, bought the seatbelts from Euro car parts for £27 each. You need to open up the holes as the 72 mounting points are further back but this can be done quite neatly.

Quickfit SBS are very expensive, I think I was quoted around £300 to replace the fronts.

HAve a look here
http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... ht=securon

[jamie]

Cheers Nick. I'm actually going to buy a pair of belts from Gary for £35

I would like some reel covers, but the real problem I have is my tan interior - the Porsche vinyl comes in a hundred different shades and I can't find any parts or new roll material to match.