16 replies to this topic

[SteveMini]

Hi

I'm restoring a 1973 Mini 1000 which has a few bits missing.

Despite lots of searching and consulting the manuals I can't find where to buy or a spec for the seat mounting bar that the seat latches onto when it tilts back.

I note that there are two bolt holes in the central tunnel just in front of the ash tray in the back. Could the bars be mounted to these? ( or just the seat belt latch which is also missing).

A picture of the rear seat foot well with the front seat tipped forward would be most welcome.

[nicklouse]

This?
http://www.minispare...|Back to search

[Compdoc]

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

There's two holes each side of the central tunnel just behind the floor cross beam and requires a couple of nuts on the underside.

[Compdoc]

Sorry, Nicklouse just beat me to it.

[SteveMini]

That looks just the job, presumably it bolts into the floor, there isnt anywhere obvious to fit it (all the floor panels have been replaced with new ones)

[THE ANORAK]

[mister bridger]

Would there even have been a latch? I've had two 1972 mk3's neither of which had a latch.

[blacktulip]

I had a 73 which had no latch or bars. Infact they don't even adjust. Only slide forwards and backwards. My 71 is the same.

[tiger99]

When, if ever, did it become a legal requirement? That would tell you whether they should be fitted or not. My early 1970s model did not but the 1984 one did. It would also tell you which vintage of floor you should fit, as the correct floor will have the holes. The Somerford or M-Machine online catalogues may help in that regard.

You may even find that the holes were there on the replacement floor and someone neatly welded in some 5/16" diameter discs to fill them.

The slot in a carpet of the appropriate vintage will also show the correct position.

[Ethel]

They were one of several revisions that came in along with the rubber mounted front subby in '76.

 

The seat belt was probably a box affair, for both belts, there were solid steel straps mounting it to the usual holes in the tunnel.

[THE ANORAK]

Look at the bottom of the seat. If there is no catch then you dont need a bar.

[mk3 Cooper S]

^{Bar introduced 75 - 76}

[SteveMini]

Thanks picture Anorak and the info regarding the year the bars came in.

I have two pairs of front seats, both sets have a catch, I believe one pair are originals.

I will probably fit a pair for good measure.

[Ethel]

I don't  think the catches actually do much, you have a seat belt to stop the seat tipping and plenty of your body is available above the back rest for back seat passengers to whack in to if the worst happens.

[tiger99]

That is why I queried whether they are actually a legal requirement after a certain date. They will not do much at all in a hard but survivable crash. The belts do the work.