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are seatbelts compulsory?
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2730		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  mooman10_0 [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 5:15 pm ]
Post subject:  are seatbelts compulsory?
My 850(1961) has no seatbelts in it at all, not even the holes to put the bolts in. Just wondering if it is compulsory to have seatbelts, or can I get away without them eeing they did not come out with them?
Appreciate any help.
Thanks, steve.
Author:  68matic [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 5:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
nah mate theyre not compulsory for you
you can leave it how it is coz thats how it came out of the factory

but
i think you would have some troubles convincing a police officer about it
perhaps you can get a written statement from the RTA or something like that
and carry it around in the car with you
Author:  aaron [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 5:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
No you don't need seat belts in a 61, they were not in the car as a compulsory saftey item. They were however a added extra you could get fitted.If the car was ever fitted with seat belts then you must have them, yours sounds very original if it has no seat belts mounts. If you change the engine you will need them fitted. A std 850, no worries at all.

Cheers

Aaron
Author:  Wolfman [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 6:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
As the others have said legally no you don't need them. However how much is your life or that of your passenger worth?
Author:  68matic [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 7:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
hmm what would one do?!?
i know that safety is really important,
but are there any other ways of putting in seat belts without tapping and welding into the car?
Author:  9YaTaH [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 7:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Safety...YOURS!!
68matic wrote:
hmm what would one do?!?
i know that safety is really important,
but are there any other ways of putting in seat belts without tapping and welding into the car?


So??? what is the problem....seat belts save lives..end of story.

Its like crash helmets, when Frank Matich started marketing Bell Helmets they were considered a tad expensive (pitifully cheap by todays standards)....I think the advertising read something like "if you have a $10 head...buy a $10 Helmet!!" ......debating safety on cost and legal grounds is rather dumb IMHO :roll:
Author:  68matic [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 7:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
i guess there are no other options
Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 7:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
I had a `61 850 and it had the holes already, with plugs in 'em. Have a look... :wink:
Author:  Harley [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
There's a video floatin' around on ausmini showing some guy in a crash without seatbelts.
Watch it and decide for yourself.
Author:  mooman10_0 [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:  re seatbelts
No holes at all. Is there an easyway of installing them? Would it matter if they were only lap seatbelts?
Thanks, steve.
Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Back when we put them in old Holdens etc, there was an adaptor nut that was fitted from the outside. Looked a bit like a Contessa wheel nut but with a real short hex section.

On early Minis the top mount was right up near the top of the pillar, it was lowered a year or two later to stop chafing peoples necks... :wink:
Author:  T [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: re seatbelts
mooman10_0 wrote:
Would it matter if they were only lap seatbelts?
Thanks, steve.


They would be better than nothing...

I've owned a lot of old holdens that had no seatbelts, but I would always fit them as soon as possible.. Safety First! 8)
Author:  WhoDat [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 9:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: re seatbelts
mooman10_0 wrote:
No holes at all. Is there an easyway of installing them? Would it matter if they were only lap seatbelts?
Thanks, steve.


Lap only belt will save your bum but that's about all - no truma to your arse but the steering wheel is still poking through your chest and your head has punched a nice hole in the windscreen. :shock:

Your choice - mine would be not to ride in it like that.
Author:  gafmo [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: re seatbelts
WhoDat wrote:
mooman10_0 wrote:
No holes at all. Is there an easyway of installing them? Would it matter if they were only lap seatbelts?
Thanks, steve.


Lap only belt will save your bum but that's about all - no truma to your arse but the steering wheel is still poking through your chest and your head has punched a nice hole in the windscreen. :shock:

Your choice - mine would be not to ride in it like that.

Agree :? are you driving it or ist it a concourse car...If you driving it don't be a fool
Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Nov 08, 2004 9:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
WhoDat,
Unlike most cars before or since, a Mini steering column is designed to bend forward on impact by the driver so it doesn't spear him.
And yes it does bend.. my mate and I survived a real nasty headon into a tree and it didn't spear him. It got real bent though. No belts in his car in `65... :cry:

I agree a lap is better than nothing, but I'd add the top mount if not there already so you can fit 3 point ones.. take it to a child restraint fitting shop in your state, they have the gear and know the requirements. :wink:
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