[DeTomaso] Seat Belts for PB

[Larry Stock]

The 71 model Pantera's  went back and forth, I believe 4 times with their firewall dimensions. Most of them were a wider dimension than the later Pantera's. If you can measure the distance between the upper outer bolt centers we can fix you up. For increased holding strength, many owners have added a center bolt fastening bolt that is not included.
Larry Stock
Pantera Parts Connection
1-800-DeTomaso (338-6627)

On 12/14/20, 10:35 AM, "DeTomaso on behalf of Mike Drew via DeTomaso" <detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com on behalf of detomaso at server.detomasolist.com> wrote:

       Rusty,

       Your project sounds exciting!

       You can install four-point harnesses with no drilling or welding. The
       1971 cars had no inertia reels (fixed belts) so you can use the stock
       holes for the lap belts. The Pantera vendors sell a bar that goes
       between the stock shoulder mounting bolts, which can support shoulder
       harnesses.

       [1]http://hallpantera.com/cgi-bin/p/awtp-product.cgi?d=hallpantera-inc&
       item=21449

       Note that the 1971 cars used a narrower bolt spacing and thus require a
       shorter bar in order to fit properly, so be sure to specify that when
       ordering.

       Be sure to get shoulder harnesses designed to loop around a roll bar,
       as opposed to single-seater harnesses which typically bolt in up top
       too.

       If you want a fifth point, it only requires drilling a discreet hole in
       the floor. Use a large fender washer or doubler plate of steel between
       the underside of the floor and the face of the nut securing the fifth
       point.

       As for the belts themselves, there are a million style available. I
       wouldn't say there is any advantage to buying British (Willans) or
       German (Schroth) belts versus the numerous US-made ones, as they are
       all certified to the pretty much the same standards. SFI is the North
       American standard and FIA is global. Most belts are not FIA certified
       simply due to cost.  The FIA standard isn't any more stringent or
       `better'.

       I have Deist belts with a traditional latch and link in my Pantera, and
       my wife has Crow belts with a camlock latch in her Pantera. It takes
       slightly less dexterity to use camlock latches, making them a bit more
       user-friendly, but they are easier to dislodge accidentally. A friend
       managed to undo his camlock while his SCCA race car (VW Scirocco) was
       rolling multiple times, which led to him bouncing around the interior
       like a pachinko ball. (Thankfully he was unhurt).

       If you are restoring your car to concours standard, keep your stock
       belts in a box for the next guy.  If it is being modified, I have a
       friend who is restoring a push button back to original who needs a set
       of 1971 belts and would happily buy yours--let me know.

       Cheers!

       Mike
       Sent from my iPad

         On Dec 14, 2020, at 10:02, Oreste Romeo via DeTomaso
         <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com> wrote:

       All,
       I am fully restoring a late PB down to metal with essentially
       (miraculously) zero rust at paint stripping except for the battery tray
       inner corner.  I will be sending photos to the registry once completed
       and the interval stages with a full report of the work done.  I was
       wishing to change the seat belt harnesses and weld the plates in for 5
       or 6 pt Schroths or Willans, but remain concerned on the legal aspect
       as DOT is not available for 5 or 6 pt restraints- not withstanding the
       insurance aspect of things voiding claims.  As for safety, I am a
       trauma surgeon by trade and acutely aware of the biophysical and
       kinematic aspects of the impacts- hence why it would appeal to change
       to newer harnesses.  I have resisted the temptation to modify anything
       as I am very biased on originality except for brembo brakes that were
       used in later post Ford years.  I wanted to ask this forum, as I own
       the original belts, if it would be best for the re webbed DOT to be
       reinstalled as opposed to placing new harnesses.  It's the fixed type,
       far from ideal but as I don't race, keeping in with originality.
       Opinions/ suggestions are very welcome as I am nearing completion of a
       two years dismount/ nuts and bolts restoration.
       Thanks in advance for any input.
       Rusty.
       Sent from my iPhone
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    References

       1. http://hallpantera.com/cgi-bin/p/awtp-product.cgi?d=hallpantera-inc&item=21449
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