12 replies to this topic

[Bradchap]

Hi Im restoring a 64 mini and was wondering what type of seatbelts (if any) it would have come out of the factory with? Regards Brad

[richmondclassicsnorthwales]

Hi,

 

They were fitted around 63 / 64.

 

I had a 64 Mini, and I had to have them. I did take them out, but the chap at the MOT centre said I had to have them, so back in they went.

 

They were static, long belts with buckle ups, and a single slide adjuster.  Nothing pretty.

[Cooperman]

A 1964 car does not require seatbelts, although it should have anchorages fitted as standard.
 
In 1967, or maybe 1968, seat belt fitment became mandatory for all new cars and I believe it was a requirement for them to be retro-fitted to cars from 1st Jan 1966 (I could be a short time out on this and it may have been from late 1965).
 
The MoT does not require seat belts for a 1964 car. If fitted back then they would probably have been static lap & diagonal belts. I bought a new 998 Cooper in 1964 and there were no belts, so I fitted an Irvin full harness on the driver's side and a lap & diagonal for the passenger.

Edited by Cooperman, 30 October 2017 - 06:04 PM.

[CityEPete]

The mad thing was, and I just about remember it, you didn't have to wear them by law until 1983!

I remember the rear belts 'if fitted' coming in for under 14 year olds in 89. We still didn't and ironically I don't have belts in my daily driver now either, ah jumpers for goal posts.......

[Cooperman]

When I bought a new Cortina GT in 1966 the seat belts were still an optional extra.

[A-Cell]

1964 mini from factory only had front anchorages.
Belts were dealer fit option. Static. Either lap only or lap and diagonal

[Bradchap]

Thanks for all your replies, got me thinking when I noticed there was no reinforcement on the tunnel for the belt mounting, just a hole in the sheet metal tunnel and a nut and bolt through the seat belt bracket.

[MrBounce]

No belts on my friend's B-plate 1964 when she had it. For someone who has always worn belts it was terrifying...

[Abbot]

Unless your Mini project is a concourse winning vehicle I would strongly suggest you fit and wear seatbelts.  

If anything hits you in your Mini you will need all the help you can get.

[Bradchap]

Yes agreed, think I will definately put in seatbelts, might even weld a strengthening plate to the tunnel, although I want it to look original, Im happy to sacrifice some originality for safety and practicality, eg seatbelts and disc brakes.

[whistler]

A 1964 car does not require seatbelts, although it should have anchorages fitted as standard.
 
In 1967, or maybe 1968, seat belt fitment became mandatory for all new cars and I believe it was a requirement for them to be retro-fitted to cars from 1st Jan 1966 (I could be a short time out on this and it may have been from late 1965).
 
The MoT does not require seat belts for a 1964 car. If fitted back then they would probably have been static lap & diagonal belts. I bought a new 998 Cooper in 1964 and there were no belts, so I fitted an Irvin full harness on the driver's side and a lap & diagonal for the passenger.

Belts on a 64 would have been a factory option. My 64 didn't have them although as Cooperman said the anchorage points for static belts were already part of the build. Earlier cars had to have holes drilled with spacer tubes in the pillar plus floor mounts. These were often part of a kit including the belts and not as far as I can remember a BMC part.

[Cooperman]

The MoT tester who told the OP that his 64 car needed belts in order to pass is wrong.
I think the rule is that if a car which doesn't need belts actually has them fitted, then they must meet the requirements for condition and function.

[Retroman]

Cooperman is correct if they are fitted they must be in good order, and on a '64 car it was not the law. As I understand it most were fitted at the dealership, hence many different types in early cars, its the same with a rear number plate light, if its not there they can't test it or fail it (not sure on the dates)

   Having been in a low speed shunt with no seatbelt, you will not get me in a car without one, its a serious safety issue, for peace of mind fit them.

   Like many things the manufacturers had to be compelled into doing it by the government, as it was going to cost them time and money to do.  The seat belt fitment became law in 1965, and was printed on the chassis plates at the time...

 

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