Seatbelt B pillar trims on a Plus 2?
30 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Hi
Has anyone tried to trim the seat belt slots in the Plus 2 B pillars? I've always wondered why there is no finishing trim round the slot (Lotus cheapness, I expect). The vinyl on both of mine is loose and looks untidy, so perhaps it is time to go "non standard"?
Something like this, perhaps: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272374714385
Anyone tried something like it?
Has anyone tried to trim the seat belt slots in the Plus 2 B pillars? I've always wondered why there is no finishing trim round the slot (Lotus cheapness, I expect). The vinyl on both of mine is loose and looks untidy, so perhaps it is time to go "non standard"?
Something like this, perhaps: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272374714385
Anyone tried something like it?
-
JonB - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2115
- Joined: 14 Nov 2017
- Location: South Coast, UK
Interesting idea! A good trimmer would laugh it off, but if your upholstery is good otherwise then it might be worth a try.
1969/70 Elan Plus 2 (not S) 50/2036
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
-
The Veg - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1716
- Joined: 16 Nov 2015
- Location: Atlanta 'burbs (southeast USA)
If they fit let us know!
Robbie
Robbie
-
Robbie693 - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1623
- Joined: 08 Oct 2003
- Location: UK
The Veg wrote:Interesting idea! A good trimmer would laugh it off, but if your upholstery is good otherwise then it might be worth a try.
Thing is, I've not yet seen a Plus 2 seat belt slot that looked nicely finished. They were made without a bezel, with the vinyl folded into the slot and glued into place. Now, with age, the vinyl on mine is shrinking / going hard and the glue has failed, so the net effect is very untidy looking.
This sort of thing really annoys me, despite it being fairly trivial in the grand scheme of things. Likewise the grime in the Oatmeal grain, which is resisting all attempts at cleaning. I measured the slot - it's about 9cm long by 1.5cm wide and it is curved; in other words, the Ford trim I linked to won't fit it. I am sure there is a solution of some sort, but I expect it will not present itself until I remove the panels and look behind. In any case, the black B pillar trims need to be reset as they're all loose.
Another potential solution here: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/-KEAAOSw ... -l1600.jpg
I might be able to make something similar and trim it in vinyl?
-
JonB - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2115
- Joined: 14 Nov 2017
- Location: South Coast, UK
I just glued some leatherette on the inside... ?0:50p.
John
John

Last edited by john.p.clegg on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
john.p.clegg - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 5746
- Joined: 21 Sep 2003
- Location: Manchester
One of my jobs which I never got around to is to make an slotted escutcheon to cover the slot in curved ally plate and painted wrinkle black
In fact I think you can already buy them at some of the kit car suppliers
https://www.europaspares.com/chrome-ova ... -tsbe.html
In fact I think you can already buy them at some of the kit car suppliers
https://www.europaspares.com/chrome-ova ... -tsbe.html
- jono
- Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1698
- Joined: 17 May 2007
- Location: The wet bit in the top corner of England
That looks neat, Cleggy. Surely the neatest I have seen yet. But the hole isn't the issue here, it's the surround itself. And I have oatmeal, so not easy to match. I guess I need to re-cover it somehow.
@jono, that escutcheon won't fit as the panel / slot is curved. You'd have to make one out of flat metal, then form it round the curve.
@jono, that escutcheon won't fit as the panel / slot is curved. You'd have to make one out of flat metal, then form it round the curve.
-
JonB - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2115
- Joined: 14 Nov 2017
- Location: South Coast, UK
Yeah, that sort of thing! 

-
JonB - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2115
- Joined: 14 Nov 2017
- Location: South Coast, UK
JohnP wrote:No welding involved
I didn't mention welding.. but I have to say, every time I see a black interior I think "I shouldn't have bought this Oatmeal trimmed car". Dagnammit.
-
JonB - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2115
- Joined: 14 Nov 2017
- Location: South Coast, UK
JonB,
Simples - press it around a stout curved lump of metal (eg a cast iron soil pipe) to curve it.
You do seem to want to make things complicated!
Simples - press it around a stout curved lump of metal (eg a cast iron soil pipe) to curve it.
You do seem to want to make things complicated!
- jono
- Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1698
- Joined: 17 May 2007
- Location: The wet bit in the top corner of England
..and the slot in it needs to be wide enough to feed the fittings through , or "split" .
John
John

-
john.p.clegg - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 5746
- Joined: 21 Sep 2003
- Location: Manchester
jono wrote:You do seem to want to make things complicated!
He must be an engineer.

1969/70 Elan Plus 2 (not S) 50/2036
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
-
The Veg - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 1716
- Joined: 16 Nov 2015
- Location: Atlanta 'burbs (southeast USA)
jono wrote:JonB,
Simples - press it around a stout curved lump of metal (eg a cast iron soil pipe) to curve it.
You do seem to want to make things complicated!
Not at all. I already said this.
JonB wrote:@jono, that escutcheon won't fit as the panel / slot is curved. You'd have to make one out of flat metal, then form it round the curve.
Still, I'll take the engineer comment as a compliment!

-
JonB - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2115
- Joined: 14 Nov 2017
- Location: South Coast, UK
30 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Total Online:
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests