Seat Belts

Post by **vibrodolly** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:27 pm

Hi everyone,

I want to fit front and possibly rear seat belts to a 1958 Minor 1000 saloon 2 door.

Any ideas or suggestions about how, who to contact, self help etc?

Thanks

Post by **iddy** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:55 am

ESM, Bull Motif and a few other websites sell them. Around £25 - £30 each from memory. I also seem to remember them coming with fitting instructions.
Iddy

Post by **BigMark** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:23 am

at what age were seatbelt a legal requirement on cars? My 70's moggy has them in but I would love to get rid of them in the restoration

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:59 am

i think that at the start of the alphabet.

ie tgu77a

Post by **paulhumphries** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 12:14 pm

I think from 1965 is the date for seatbelt being a legal requirement.

What I cann't understand is anyone even considering removing them

Paul Humphries.

Post by **Furrtiv** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:16 pm

Please don't remove them! I've been involved in a RTA and was in a moggie (which sadly died), and the only thing that prevented me from going through the windscreen was my seatbelt - and that was only at 40mph!

Post by **paulhumphries** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:30 pm

Furrtiv wrote:Please don't remove them! I've been involved in a RTA and was in a moggie (which sadly died), and the only thing that prevented me from going through the windscreen was my seatbelt - and that was only at 40mph!

Without the seatbelt I think you would have been "skewered" by steering column, before going thought windscreen, so wouldn't have felt anything anymore anyway

Like I say - why should anyone even consider removing such a sensible, basic, safety item !

Paul Humphries.

Post by **Onne** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:54 pm

If only they where a bit more comfortable, then I might consider putting them in my series II.

Post by **alex_holden** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:53 pm

I don't understand the "comfort" argument - once you get used to them you don't even notice they're there 99% of the time. In fact it feels very strange to me riding in a car without a seatbelt.

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:13 pm

Same here. The only thing I've ever been in without them (apart from Onne's car) since I was about 10 was a 7 1/2 tonner - scared me silly

Never had any 'discomfort' whatsoever from belts

Post by **tony22** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:20 pm

why make the undertaker richer

Post by **Onne** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:50 pm

I might go for some lap belts then.

This because:
I am tall, 3 point things keep slipping off my shoulder
Series II seats have a low back anyway
I do see the point in seatbelts...

Onne

Post by **stevey** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:33 am

Im tall aswell 6 5 and i find seatbelts are more irritating in a 2 door as its lower down on a 4 door its higher up so more comfortable.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:39 am

at what age were seatbelt a legal requirement on cars? My 70's moggy has them in but I would love to get rid of them in the restoration

They were a legal requirement on a car of that year and once fitted they automatically become part of the MOT.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:28 am

Lap belts can cause horrible injuries Onne. Please consider 3 point belts even if you have to modify the belts or mountings.

Post by **Furrtiv** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:59 pm

Agreed, I'm not a fan of lap belts. Seriously, wouldn't you rather suffer a small discomfort than a horrendous death or serious injury?

Post by **d_harris** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:49 pm

I fail to comprehend why anyone wouldn't have seatbelts in their car (and wear them!!!)

They are the single biggest life-saver in all motor accidents. Without a belt a 30mph crash is likely to be fatal as you fly forwards at 30mph and find a steering column wedged into your chest (also, if you brake suddenly!)

It scares me silly if I don't have a seatbelt on! I'm a big lad and I have no problem whatsoever with the seatbelt mount on a 2 door (although my girlfriend can find it quite uncomfortable and shes quite a bit smaller than me - its weird!)

Post by **ColinP** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:26 pm

Dan

although my girlfriend can find it quite uncomfortable and shes quite a bit smaller than me - its weird!

Erm, well my wife tells my it's a lady thing - depends exacty where the seat belt crosses your girlfriend's ..... (oh help - I can't write the "$*^% word down - the moderators will kill me)

It all depends on where the seat belt passes from her shoulder towards the side anchorage (Pm me if you want the naughty word!)
A small difference in the seat rake or front/back position may help a lot. Maybe also armourplating or changing the belt anchorage, or a bit of strategic padding for the shoulder (to lift and NO!) to lift the belt a few mm... mmm?

Have fun,
Colin

Post by **Furrtiv** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:16 pm

I'm 5'3", and have never had a problem with the shoulder seatbelts in any car - they tend to, ah, sit between "them", if you know what I mean!

Post by **BigMark** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:51 pm

Just to add, I am 6ft 8" tall and 22 stones and find then DAMB uncomfortable
Do understand all the comments, just considering all options ;)