5 replies to this topic

[stevegt]

Hi,

Im currently restoring a 1974, 1275GT Clubman, im fairly new to these (and all cars for that matter)
 and im just wondering about seat belt laws.

 The car is fitted with the normal type (3-point) seat belts in the front, but has nothing in the rear?

We want seats in the back for taking the occasional passenger, but we don't plan on taking many people any length of distance, so i don't see the need to fit them just yet, also i need to put my money in other parts of the car, mainly the gut' holes!

 

Ive been doing abit of digging, but cant seem to turn anything up that i can take as a definitive answer, so i turn to you guys and girls!


Many thanks! Steve.

[lewBlew]

Pre-1986 seatbelts were not compulsory in the back, and my '91 Mayfair only has fixed seatbelts (not inertia reel). so you don't need them at all.

 

However I'm sure you're aware the dangers of not having them in the event of a crash!

[stevegt]

that's great, thanks!

 Its got the inertia type in the front, they will be staying in for obvious reasons, but (legally) does it not even need front belts?! i dont think id fancy driving with no seat belts lol.

[ado15]

You do need front belts. IIRC, all cars after 1962 need them. You find yourself a much better driver without front belts! You are certainly more aware of what others are doing around you and find your self adjusting your driving style. Since driving a car regularly without front belts, I have tried my best to maintain that attitude and I feel it has improved my road awareness and observation skills. I wouldn't recommend trying it though!

 

I don't think the '74 car will have any mountings for rear belts. The lap belt is straight forward by using spreader plates under the seat base, but there is no structure for the shoulder belt of a 3 point. The parcel shelf is definitely not strong enough, so some welded brackets would be needed to transmit the load into something more structural. When mountings were introduced, they were welded brackets on the pillars.

Edited by ado15, 03 December 2013 - 12:24 PM.

[lewBlew]

that's great, thanks!

 Its got the inertia type in the front, they will be staying in for obvious reasons, but (legally) does it not even need front belts?! i dont think id fancy driving with no seat belts lol.

 

Sorry it's just rear ones you don't need (pre 86). You need front ones.

[skoughi]

I've fitted rear belts into my 73 clubman. I cut out a complete rear seat upright and rear shelf from a newer mini that had mounting points for the rear inertia belts. There is brackets that are welded to the ends of the parcel shelf where it meets the c pillars and a strengthening plate attached to the middle of the seat upright at the bottom, along with brackets that are welded to the arches in the side bins. I'm sure you must be able to buy these brackets for converting. I only went to this extreme as my original seat back had been butchered at some point to fit a massive speaker!