Seat Belts for Classic Cars – Pre 1972
Period Style Static Lap Straps
Standard Period Lap Straps
Lap straps are not a legal fit for front seats in Europe for post 1963 cars and we would not recommend them unless it really is your only option. For American cars or cars in America
this is not a Legal issue and Lap straps can be fitted to vehicles up to 1972.
Period style chrome buckles should only be used in pre 1973 vehicles. We would also recommend that they are not used with child seats including booster seats and cushions. If you want period buckles, it is possible to have a combined seat belt that will give you both modern and period buckles thus allowing you to secure your children safely and retain the period look when you have adults in the vehicle or are showing the vehicle.
(The lap section of any seat belt or harness should fit below you hipbone and across the upper most part of you thigh and not over your waist).
Period Style Lap Strap with 75mm Waist Pad
These have the same issues as Standard Lap straps (not a legal fit for front seats in Europe for post 1963 or for American cars or cars in America Lap straps can be fitted to vehicles up to 1972).
The padded lap strap offers better protection by spreading the load over a wider section of you lap. (The lap section of any seat belt or harness should fit below you hip bone and across the upper most part of you thigh and not over your waist).
As with the period style lap straps, with modern lap strap seat belts you can choose from a standard lap strap or one with the 75mm pad, however this is an unusual option. but of a scale suitable for children.
Period style chrome buckles should only be used in pre 1973 vehicles. We would also recommend that they are not used with child seats including booster seats and cushions. If you want period buckles, it is possible to have a combined seat belt that will give you both modern and period buckles thus allowing you to secure your children safely and retain the period look when you have adults in the vehicle or are showing the vehicle.
(The lap section of any seat belt or harness should fit below you hipbone and across the upper most part of you thigh and not over your waist).
Period Style Lap Strap with 75mm Waist Pad
These have the same issues as Standard Lap straps (not a legal fit for front seats in Europe for post 1963 or for American cars or cars in America Lap straps can be fitted to vehicles up to 1972).
The padded lap strap offers better protection by spreading the load over a wider section of you lap. (The lap section of any seat belt or harness should fit below you hip bone and across the upper most part of you thigh and not over your waist).
Modern Lap Straps
Same rules apply for modern lap straps as with period style with the exception of child seats.As with the period style lap straps, with modern lap strap seat belts you can choose from a standard lap strap or one with the 75mm pad, however this is an unusual option. but of a scale suitable for children.