Seatbelt for Early Cars

[KevinC]

Here's one for all of the 230 SL interior gurus...finally got to working on my interior and have the seatbelts out. They are "Hickok" brand and the webbing is kind of khaki-olive color. Do they look like anyone else's? Should I replace the webbing material with this same color with a brown interior to keep things as "correct" as possible??

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Kevin Caputo
Boca Raton, FL
1967 230 SL Automatic
670 Light Ivory
113 Bronze/Brown MB Tex

[Mike Hughes]

They appear to be identical to the ones in my '66.  The webbing can be cleaned by putting each belt individually in a lingerie bag with a wool sock pulled over the metal bits and throwing them in the washer with your light, but not white, clothes.  Do not use any bleach.  Hang them out to dry and use an air hose to blow out the buckles so no rust starts up on the ferrous bits.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[KevinC]

Mike,

Thanks for the tip!

Kevin

Kevin Caputo
Boca Raton, FL
1967 230 SL Automatic
670 Light Ivory
113 Bronze/Brown MB Tex

[JPMOSE]

Kevin,

I can tell you that my 1968 250SL (manufactured in July 1967) has different belts (and they were installed by Mercedes and are on the data card).  Hence, 1966 (and possibly 1967) was probably the end of the style shown in your photos.  Mine also has a shoulder strap that slips over the male portion of the seatbelt before fastening.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[Zach]

Being a Euro, mine didn't come with seatbelts which is a problem in Massachusetts where they're required for cars built after 1964.  Since belts weren't original to the car I'm told it's somewhat of a grey area.

However, safety being an important issue, I've considered putting them in the car, but I don't want to drill into the body to do it.

Any suggestions or comments on whether I should install them?  If so, are the tan belts that Kevin has correct for my car?

Z
66 230SL Euro 4spd

[jmela]

I too have the aviation style lap belts with the tabbed shoulder strap.

Does the webbing break down and weaken over time? I'm sure sunlight exposure does the material no favors. As a safety precaution, should these belts be replaced/ reconditioned?

[waltklatt]

JP,
My 1968 280SL also had the Kangol seatbelts you described also with the third(shoulder) belt that slips over the male cip before being inserted into the female(release) end.
I have also seen the small black plastic hooks that hold this third belt in place when not in use.
The 1967 230SL did not come with the belts, but has the mounts for it installed-except the shoulder one.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

Originally posted by JPMOSE

Kevin,

  Mine also has a shoulder strap that slips over the male portion of the seatbelt before fastening.

[JPMOSE]

Mine are the khaki-olive color as well.  Since this appears to be original Kevin....I would just leave it alone.

For what it's worth, I use the shoulder belt everytime I drive (although it's a pain in the ass)!

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[J. Huber]

Mine came without belts. I lived with it until I had the seats and carpet redone. Then the upholstery guy said "I can put some lapbelts in for about 20 bucks..." I said go for it. He basically ran some bolts through the floor. I can see a large washer and nut from bottom. What science he used to determine where to put them is a mystery. And who knows how strong they really are. My feeling is the lapbelts are better than nothing at all.

James
63 230SL

[seattle_Jerry]

I wouldn't trust a 40 year old piece of fabric to perform as new in a crash. The belt is supposed to stretch a little during the crash. I can't believe that its functionality would not have been compromised by UV degradation. Just look at the rest of the interior of an unrestored car.

I am redoing mine with a three point dual shoulder harness belt. The third point is in the structural member behind the seat. The belts are retractable so there is easy movement. So it is a single connection point behind the seat that splits into the shoulder straps that go over the top of the seat and connect to the lap belts. Less than $100 each

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[jameshoward]

Hi Kevin,

I have a US late '66 230SL and your belts are identical to mine. I've recently removed mine and replaced them with a 3 point inertia belt because I had to get my car through the German TUV test (roadworthiness). I was spitting at the time because I really didn't want to make that change. Howerver, MDSalemi sent me the excellent MBCUSA directions for putting in the 3 point harness so you can't see the mechanism (goes under the wooden shelf). It was a pretty simple task, and I am very happy with the result.

I honestly would not now drive the car without them. (Which is exactly what Michael said after he did his!)

I have photos if you're intested; in fact I think they're under my "TUV" thread.

James

[scoot]

quote:Originally posted by KevinC

They are "Hickok" brand and the webbing is kind of khaki-olive color. Do they look like anyone else's?

They look like ours (early 250 SL) except ours are tan in color.   Ours are about to be replaced with Kangol 3-point belts.

[Whoisthis67]

They appear to be identical to the ones in my '66.  The webbing can be cleaned by putting each belt individually in a lingeries bag with a wool sock pulled over the metal bits and throwing them in the washer with your light, but not white, clothes.  Do not use any bleach.  Hang them out to dry and use an air hose to blow out the buckles so no rust starts up on the ferrous bits.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

Yes the webbing is quite good.. woman dress.. hhehe.