Is this an original front seatbelt mount?

NilsH

NilsH

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Hi there!

I happened to stumble upon a front seatbelt picture when I was actually surfing something else.
I have never seen such "hook" for hanging the front belt on. Is it BMW original?
Since mine is attached to the ceiling I'd like to move it down, for a cleaner look :) Any downsides to that?
I read the thread about the Paul Cain mod, but the one I stumbled upon also looks ok.

Have a great time!
 

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the hanger is not 'structural', just a place to hold it when not in use!
I have the roof attachment and plan on using the extension, will still hang from the ceiling but the 'loop' is lowered
 
mark99 said:
the hanger is not 'structural', just a place to hold it when not in use!
I have the roof attachment and plan on using the extension, will still hang from the ceiling but the 'loop' is lowered
Click to expand...

I would agree with you if the reel of that seatbelt was at shoulder level. The seatbelt reel appears to be inside the fender, so that hanger better be structural. The factory setup would place the reel near the upper portion of the rear armrest.

To answer the OP’s question, this is not a factory setup. Edit: see correction below
 
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Mark, you are right, I didn't look at it closely enough, I was just assuming it was the regular hanger, which is further forward
I wonder what you would tie into at that location to make it strong enough? And the hook looks like it is 'open'
 
Markos said:
I would agree with you if the reel of that seatbelt was at shoulder level. The seatbelt reel appears to be inside the fender, so that hanger better be structural. The factory setup would place the reel near the upper portion of the rear armrest.

To answer the OP’s question, this is not a factory setup.
Click to expand...
I think I will have to disagree with you on this one.
UK spec cars have these fitted as standard
 
Simufly said:
I think I will have to disagree with you on this one.
UK spec cars have these fitted as standard
Click to expand...

Cool! Can you post a pic? The only setup that I have seen similar to this is on 1974 models. The pivot point is drilled into the wood, not above it. I have never seen another seatbelt setup like this. If it is in fact an original BMW setup, one would expect to find the part numbers somewhere.

Most that I've seen look like this, but much of this stuff seems to be dealer specific.
6390702781_c791bce4ba_b.jpg
 
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Simufly said:
I think I will have to disagree with you on this one.
UK spec cars have these fitted as standard
Click to expand...

Thanks for keeping me in check. I spoke too soon!

mark99 said:
Mark, you are right, I didn't look at it closely enough, I was just assuming it was the regular hanger, which is further forward
I wonder what you would tie into at that location to make it strong enough? And the hook looks like it is 'open'
Click to expand...

This is good stuff. I would love to learn more about this setup and what is happening behind the door panel. This is the nicest what-appears-to-be-factory-setup I've seen IMO.
 
Agreed, I have not noticed that one before, I would like to see it all works!
Not sure I would sacrifice / modify the trim piece though
 
mark99 said:
Agreed, I have not noticed that one before, I would like to see it all works!
Not sure I would sacrifice / modify the trim piece though
Click to expand...

That is why it is important to have two of everything. Or in my case - three. :D
 
If I recall correctly, the rule of thumb - at least in racing/track driving circles - is that the belt anchoring point should be at or ABOVE your shoulder. Anything lower than that can severely compress your spine in a hard impact. That can do a LOT of damage to your body.

I, too, doubt that the hanger and attachment are structural - I've gone into that part of the chassis doing some window removal etc. stuff.

Gary-
 
Gary Knox said:
If I recall correctly, the rule of thumb - at least in racing/track driving circles - is that the belt anchoring point should be at or ABOVE your shoulder. Anything lower than that can severely compress your spine in a hard impact. That can do a LOT of damage to your body.
Click to expand...

It can be at or slightly below your shoulder. You crush your spine when it anchors to the floor. Racing applications want it very close to your shoulder, but most OEM applications have the point way above your shoulder. Think about it this way, shoulder harnesses slightly below your shoulder were unsafe, modern convertibles would not exist.

Adkfrank said:
Is this a factory setup?
Click to expand...

That looks like the ‘74 setup to me. I’m not familiar with the anchor point behind the upholstery but the arm rest setup with plastic sleeve looks the same.
 
Thanks for the "behind the curtain" pictures Adkfrank. But the thing with my OP picture (and some of the others) is that the hook is above the wood and the belt continues from there downwards, not back. It's still strange because I can't find anything close to it in online parts catalog.
And thanks all for showing interest!
 
Perhaps it was the solution utilized for RHD cars in the UK but it didn't come from the factory like that or it would be in the parts books.
 
HB Chris said:
Perhaps it was the solution utilized for RHD cars in the UK but it didn't come from the factory like that or it would be in the parts books.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. I checked realoem which only has CSL production years through ‘73.

I’m really curious about the innards. Not just the pivot point either. There isn’t that much metal in the area for the reel to grab onto. I don’t know how it would clear the window if it is inward facing. I wonder if the reel is outward facing inside the armrest cavity.
 
The reel appears to be on the floor/rocker under the rear seat. I put a retractor there in my 69 2002 but a bit further forwards.
 
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