TheSamba.com :: View topic - Seatbelts in a 56 bug

Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:43 am

Hi everyone! I'm looking for advice and opinions on installing 3 point seatbelts in my beetle (it's unrestored, nice and original!). It's had 2 point seatbelts installed in the front at some stage. I don't want to ruin a stock beetle but I'd like a bit of modern safety too!! Any ideas? Thanks in advance :D

addit: I've just had a look at the technical bulletin for early 60s safety belts - is there any reason this wouldn't work for a 56? Thanks

Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:33 am

I'm going to be tackling the same delima in my '56 as well... wouldn'y consider three points at all.... but laps......

Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:33 am

I'm going to be tackling the same delima in my '56 as well... wouldn'y consider three points at all.... but laps......

Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:33 am

I'm going to be tackling the same delima in my '56 as well... wouldn'y consider three points at all.... but laps......

Sat Feb 02, 2008 5:41 am

Hi,

If you are going to install belts, install something that has a chance of working and not just a hole in the sheet metal floor pan.

Take a look at this, a lot of work but seems like the way to go.

http://www.thebugshop.org/bsp57_10.htm

Dave

Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:51 am

I am not sure how much additional safety that a three point over lap belts will provide. The vintage VW is a rolling tin can compared to the modern SUV. I am having 3 point belts installed in my 56, I took the time to have it done right, if you want photos of the installation (w/o belts) I will post. I have lap belts only in my 66 bus and am going with the lobster claw belts that were one year only for my 67 vert.
God help us if we ever get hit while in one of these vintage bugs, regardless of the type of seat belts. I drive defensive as hell while in my VWs and try keep as much distance between me and the next guy.

Sat Feb 02, 2008 8:35 am

Put them in! They be what enables you to admire your next vintage beetle if this one ever gets clobbered.

Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:13 pm

Thanks for the advice everyone! I realise not much is gonna save me should I end up in a nice crash and I'll rue the day that ever happens to my poor beetle (and myself too of course :wink:) !! I do not plan to be at fault should that ever happen, defensive driving is definitely the way to go! Pharquarx please do post pics, any additional info would be much appreciated :D I do remember looking at the 2 pt belts bolted into the floor pan and wondering how they'd hold up in an accident :shock: ah the joys of vintage vws!

Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:53 pm

Dude...it's your bug. Do what you want to it.

Is there some special aura surrounding an original? Can it sell for more? In some instances it can sell for a little more, but I'd rather deal with something I can feel free to tweek a little.

I've seen what I thought were pretty good looking bugs on here that were absolutely torn apart on these boards. I tried the "original" route until someone showed me a stock 1302 advertisement with small turn signals and black wiper arms. I have always hated the turn signals on the 1302's and will now change them.

This car is for me, not the next owner.

Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:03 pm

Most definitely Ghoti, cars are to be enjoyed! I have no plans to ever sell this particular bug, so I just want to do a good job on it, and keep it faithful to the original wherever possible/practical as it's lasted that way for so many years already! I was however, a few weeks after buying the 56 on the lookout for another not so original to tweek! As the finances allow... :D

Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:16 pm

Pharquarx wrote: I am not sure how much additional safety that a three point over lap belts will provide. The vintage VW is a rolling tin can compared to the modern SUV. I am having 3 point belts installed in my 56, I took the time to have it done right, if you want photos of the installation (w/o belts) I will post. I have lap belts only in my 66 bus and am going with the lobster claw belts that were one year only for my 67 vert.
God help us if we ever get hit while in one of these vintage bugs, regardless of the type of seat belts. I drive defensive as hell while in my VWs and try keep as much distance between me and the next guy.

I put laps in my split, and 3 pts in my '57 (link above in another post).

A friend pointed out once that the only purpose of the laps in my split was to "keep the body with the car". :roll:

Sat Feb 02, 2008 5:41 pm

It's common knowledge to anyone with half a brain that if you get clobbered hard in a bug, you won't come out of it in good shape.

Many folks point this out when the seat belt issue comes up. It sort of turns into a "why bother" issue.

While the seat belts may not save you in a wrestling match with giant SUV, 18 wheeler, or a train, they can greatly reduce the injuries you may suffer in a less violent crash.

A crash with impact speeds under 30mph may be devestating to the bug, but it can also be deadly to the occupants if not securly held in the seat. Even in a 10 mph impact, you will not be able to keep your body in the seat without a seat belt.

When your head makes a 10 mph impact with the windshield, door, dash board, roof, or rear window of the car, it is going to suffer severe damage.

It is hard to imagine what happens to bodies inside a vehicle when involved in a crash. Even in a low speed crash, bodies become projectiles and fly all around inside of the vehicle hitting and bouncing numerous times before coming to rest.

So those belts may not help in a big one, but they sure will help in the majority of the much more common smaller ones.

Sat Feb 02, 2008 8:20 pm

Seat belts will also help keep you behind the wheel during an incident, that way you can try to maintain some control of the vehicle.
My 2 cents.

Sat Feb 02, 2008 8:26 pm

I have had a couple of insurance policies (car and life ) that would make the policy viod if in an accident and not wearing a seat belt. That one would be difficult to get around.

Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:05 pm

I agree with drscope. I put a collapsable steering column, three point retractable belts and a 63 steering wheel in my '59. I have no illusion of the safety factor in a significant crash-mass always wins. However, in a low speed accident or perhaps having to head for a ditch, these small safety features could make a significant difference.

jeff c.

Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:17 pm

I recall an aircraft accident many years ago. One guy had the lap belt and the other guy clipped on the shoulder belt as well.
The lap belt only guy died, the one with the shoulder belt was "only" injured.

My 58 has had a 3 point belt since at least 1967, and it is going to be kept when I finish restoring it as it is safer (I wouldn't say safe for the reasons above) and I would argue that it is almost a period accessory.

Sun Feb 03, 2008 5:44 pm

I crashed my 57 last fall. I had no seat belts in it. I was thrown around pretty good, and just missed crashing into another car. Luckily I just put it into the ditch hard. The car is all original, but I have stripped out the interior, and I'm in the process of installing belts (as well as fixing the body work). I would not drive it again without belts. I feeel if I had a three point belt on, I might have been able to keep it out of the ditch. The loss of originality will be made up by the fact I will be able to take my kids around town in it now that there are belts. I am putting three point belts in front and back, and if the next owner doesn't like it, the can change it back with a new headliner and carpets.

Tue Feb 05, 2008 7:53 pm

better safe than sorry, i always say. 3 point is a helluva lot safer than 2. when not in use, just tuck it away. nice and neat. :)

Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:31 pm

I will be installing the 3 point belts in my 55' What brand or where are you guys getting the 3 point belts?

Thanks Scott.

Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:24 pm

I'm in Australia but my local VW guy gets them from Wolfsburgwest
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wolfsburg_new/accessories/accessories/seat_belt.cfm [url]