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Old 04-05-10, 07:56 AM
lansdownplace lansdownplace is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 183
Default 411 rear seat belt mount

Greg, I would be very careful with this. There is no existing structure for the top anchor on the 411 capable of supporting the forces experienced in a full on crash. Rear belts weren't required or even dreamt of back then Bristol only provided a structure for them when it built the 603 series cars. You have to weld in a support from the chassis. Bristol themselves won't fit three points in the rear unless they are putting in the extra superstructure as they have liability if it goes wrong.

Many cars have the anchors fixed to the parcel shelf alone, which is OK provided you accept that a big shunt with an adult in the back risks failure big time. Whilst Bristol won't put one in, there are lots of owners and back-streeters who will so there is a risk that the rear belts on any 411 are dangerous. For any 411 owners out there who aren't sure of the provenance of your rear belts, I would check them out. They are the kind of item that is only stress checked on first and last use.

Lap belts are safer from the point of view that they can be anchored to the chassis and are a cheaper fix, if a bit messy and not so good in a crash

Paul
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