6 replies to this topic

[wyrob1]

Hello, new member here.

After a few years without a mini I am considering getting back in for some fun.
If i am going to take the plunge I am thinking of an older 'vintage' mini - still narrowing it down.

One small snag - my plan will be for me to take my kids (8,6,4) with me to mini events. Just not comfortable in putting them in the back with no seatbelts.
Has anyone any idea if it would be easy/hard to fit rear lapbelts to an earlier mini - safely - but also without it looking stupid?

appreciate any guidance.
cheers

[Ethel]

Depends how old, some have the mountings, even if they don't have belts. Hopefully someone will know what's currently the law - you don't need to wear a belt if there aren't any, but I don't think that includes kids and I've no idea what restrictions there are over age and type of belt. You can get 3 point belts to retrofit without welded in mountings.

[wyrob1]

thanks - i was thinking of a 60s mini and from what i see elsewhere in the forum they wont have the fittings.
Do you mean that the retrofit seatbelts can be welded into the older cars?
thanks

[mowogdave]

Think the date when brackets are fitted (if not the belts) is something like 1983ish?

If you don't have brackets fitted, you can get them from Somerford Mini. But - you'll need to weld them in.

I was looking at doing this myself a while back in my 1980 clubby. The ones at the seat base look quite easy to weld in. But the ones on the C-pillar are welded on just behind the rear window opening catches. From what I can see, welding here will burn the paintwork off the outside. That's when I decided not to bother. Suppose it depends on how good you are at welding / paintwork / or have the cash to pay for it?

[Ethel]

I think I've seen older ones, seatbelts were required in some export countries long before they were here - I couldn't even guess a date though.

There are some that have reels you can bolt on the parcel shelf, but it would need some reinforcing. Added fixings don't have to welded as long as they use sturdy enough spreaders to stop them being pulled through the panel.

You might also consider the advantages of anti-burst door locks when choosing whether to go for a Mk2 or 3 Mini.

[ShoutforJoy]

I have one of the Somorford kits for sale if you're interested. Bought for a project that was subequently sold on.

Here's the link: http://www.theminifo...howtopic=178387

You can see some pictures of the parts and gauge for yourself how easy or difficult they are to fit.

hth, Paul

[mab01uk]

As Ethel said there is no need to weld in threaded mounting plates on an early Mini, the rear bulkhead area is fully accessible from the boot so thick metal spreader plates can be positioned under/behind the belt mounting nuts and bolts in the later welded mount positions for lap straps. The 3rd top mount (and inertia reel if req'd) can be mounted on the rear parcel shelf, again with large load spreader plates below. There was an off the shelf kit like this available in the 1970's and 80's before rear belts/mounts were standard fit.
http://www.somerford...x...page&id=137