Seatbelts

Post by **paulbarnes** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:14 pm

Hi all,

I'm in the process of looking for a Minor for my everyday car. I currently drive a Triumph TR3a byt it's a little chilly this time of year!

My question is, what year did these cars start having seatbelts fitted? And if I buy a car without seatbelts, can they be retro fitted?

The TR has no seat belts but the minor will have to carry baby and wife so needs to be a little safer.

If I can get one with the belts I'll have two of my dream cars in my garage! (well, drive anyway!)

Cheers

Paul

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:27 pm

Front seat belts were always an option on Minors from 65 onwards. At this point the mounting points were fitted to the car so front belts would be easy to fit to any post 65 car. Rear belts were never fitted to Minors from new but you can buy and fit suitable belts nowadays. Pre 65 cars will be more difficult to fit belts to as they would not have had the mounting points in the body at the factory...

Post by **paulbarnes** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:59 pm

Thanks,

I don't suppose any member knows of a decent car for sale around the North East? I've got about a grant to spend.

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 4:04 pm

Have a look in the For Sale section and also put a post in the Wanted section. If you join the club there are also a few for sale in the back of the club magazine....
You'll see one I have for sale advertised which already has front and rear belts fitted but it is up for more than you have unfortunately....

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:33 pm

Front seat belts were always an option on Minors from 65 onwards.

Seatbelt law
Since 1965 seatbelts must be fitted in the front of all new cars throughout Europe.

But I think most manufacturers were fitting the mounting point's for a while before that

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:45 pm

Not true Kevin, I looked up seatbelt law, from 1965 they were required to be fitted with mounting points and actual belt from 1967. It did not become law to wear them until 1983.

Post by **paulbarnes** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:00 pm

Cheers Gentlemen, Look like I'm looking for a post '65 then.

Paul

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:59 pm

Sorry I meant to say the mountings from 65 but you will find earlier cars with the mounting points already fitted especially as the way car sales were in those days.
Paul I dont think you will have any trouble finding one with seat belts fitted.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 10:07 pm

Seatbelt mounts for Minors started in approx 1963. From 65 they came with belts as standard.
All cars 65 onwards are required to have front seatbelts by law - However it's quite common to retrofit front belts so many of the pre-65 cars have them.

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:18 pm

Whilst it is true that all cars from 65 onwards have to have seat belts fitted now, that wasn't the case back then. Belts were offered as an option and were fitted by dealers and distributors and according to Ray Newell they were not standard factory fit until Jan 1971. Having said all that and to back up what has been said above, you will find very many Minors with belts of some sort fitted these days regardless of age...

Post by **paulbarnes** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:43 am

Thanks all. Going to look at a couple of cars today.
One of them is on e-bay, fitted with a webasto roff which I'm not too sure about.
I'll let you know how I get on

Paul

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:15 pm

Not being picky but according to the ROSPA site

1965
It becomes compulsory to fit seat belts in the front of cars built in Europe.

1967
New cars in the UK must be fitted with front seat belts by law. Great Britain requires 3-points in front outboard positions.

1968
Great Britain requires retrofit of 3-point belts in front of newer cars.

Wesbasto Sunroof sounds good as you don't see them on Moggies too often and they can be rather nice in the sunny weather.

Post by **Sidney'61** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:26 pm

Kevin wrote:Wesbasto Sunroof sounds good as you don't see them on Moggies too often and they can be rather nice in the sunny weather.

Make sure you check it for signs of leaking though, can sometimes be a problem with retrofit sunroofs.
and can sometimes be a problem with standard fit sunroofs aswell

Post by **mick64** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:28 pm

so, I have noticed mine has no seatbelts ,will it still pass a mot?

Post by **PSL184** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:44 pm

mick64 wrote:so, I have noticed mine has no seatbelts ,will it still pass a mot?

Depends on the year of manufacture Mick.... If it was registered before 1965 there is no legal requirement to have them fitted......

Post by **Dean** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:00 pm

Quick question.

How do I fit seat belt to my '53 four door? I still intend to use the trafficator arms, so how do I fit a seat belt to the centre post above my shoulder?

Post by **PSL184** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:02 pm

Might have been a quick question but I doubt a quick answer

Post by **alcro** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:49 pm

I heard of an 1968 LCV failing an MOT test because nearside and offside front Statutory seat belts were missing
However it passed the previous year at a different testing station without comment.

Hmmm
cheers Al

Post by **toginthemog** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:52 pm

so how does this seatbelt law work I have never had seatbelts in my 71 pick up until 2 years ago always passed its test before but now they are fitted do I have to wear them I only wear them now and again but I,m not sure if its law to wear them now fitted

Post by **PSL184** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:55 pm

That could depend if was previously done before the computerisation of MOT's and the tester missed it. Since the computer set up the inspection sheet is printed out which is specific for each vehicle once the reg and vin have been entered. Obviously I don't know the reason in this case but its a possibility....?