mk1-forum.net

I am trying to find out how the top seat belt was attached before 1963.
I have seen photos of cars with no higher mount at all, but no details of the top mounted one.
I believe it was simply drilled through from the outside by dealers, but is that the only way it was done for 3 years?
I have also seen lots of pictures of pre 63 cars which have the lower b-post mount including many claiming to be original shell from reputable sources. How do they all have this lower point, surely to retro fit it is simpler to drill through like the dealers?
Any pictures inside and out would be appreciated, but also any info anyone has.
Cheers

This car for instance has high level fixing, but nothing on the outside.

https://www.candccarsales.co.uk/used/ca ... i-850-478/

It was the same blank reinforced nut from the factory, but the height created issues with neck injury so was moved lower.

This was welded inside prior to the side section being assembled... which was then offered up as a complete unit.

Hope that helps

Didnt the very early cars just have a lap belt so no need for the higher mounting?

My Cooper was produced on 5. November 62 and has the high mounting points. I am pretty sure that it is the original shell as it was never restored...

Thanks everyone.
So there isn't always the bolt head on the outside.

Presumably then retro fitted mounts would also be lower to avoid neck injury, which explains a lot!
Also, I guess a lot of re-bodying has been done on early cars.

1962 Mini Super deluxe:-
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/to ... uxe/page-2








LH 24A 1431 B-Pillar 1964-1969:-

The bolt head on the outside was ONLY ever seen with very, very early retro fitted seat belt kits. The fitting instructions for these specified a position about 1/2 way down the B post, not at the top.

When BMC first started fitting seat belt mountings in 61 or whenever it was, these were initially fitted high up, but this position, as has already been said was moved down by 63.

BMC NEVER fitted lap belts to a Mini at the factory, these would only ever have been retro fitted by an owner or at least at his or her instigation.

Thanks for the pics Mab.

mk1 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:24 pm The bolt head on the outside was ONLY ever seen with very, very early retro fitted seat belt kits.

BMC NEVER fitted lap belts to a Mini at the factory, these would only ever have been retro fitted by an owner or at least at his or her instigation.

The dealers either drilled the top mount or just fitted lap belt depending what the customer prefered on the early cars.

hicklingmick wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:32 pm

mk1 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:24 pm The bolt head on the outside was ONLY ever seen with very, very early retro fitted seat belt kits.

BMC NEVER fitted lap belts to a Mini at the factory, these would only ever have been retro fitted by an owner or at least at his or her instigation.

The dealers either drilled the top mount or just fitted lap belt depending what the customer prefered on the early cars.

Exactly.

Thanks so much.
You have no idea how long I have trying to figure this out!
Ed

Happy to help.

I think its pretty conclusive that the factory lower mount (as per your shell) was '63 onwards.

For early minis without a top mount on the B pillar there was a kit available back then which entailed drilling a largish hole on the inside of the pillar and inserting a spacer tube and a plate for strength. Then drill the correct size hole for the seat belt mount. Sold a few of them in the 60's. You could always tell those cars as the top mount bolt showed on the outside.

GraemeC wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:25 pm I think its pretty conclusive that the factory lower mount (as per your shell) was '63 onwards.

He is referring to my topic on another Mini forum.
I have a shell that I am investigating.