dumb question but does anyone have a colour picture of the seat belts came with a 65 car? and more importantly would anyone know of someone who is interested in selling a set?

Thanks

My april 66 car had some belts branded "star"

From a past discussion regarding 66 models, I think it was established that there wasnt any set brand of belts used.

I would assume 65 models would have been the same

_________________

I have these in my 64, 850.

Not sure if they are original but I remember them being "aftermarket " in those days as seat belts were fitted to cars that previously didn't have them.

_________________
Find a job you love and you will never have to go to work !

Here is that thread about early seat belts. Mid 1967 they were factory fitted. Before that it was what ever was sold by BMC and dealer fitted.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=92320&p=997601

How times have changed. See the following newsletter promoting seat belts to BMC dealers at a time when they were not required to be fitted to new cars.

Britax was the major supplier to BMC, with some Bodigard brand as well. I'll try to find some references.

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

There are plenty of period correct styles available for sale in the UK and USA (Lift up and push button release). I doubt if they would be able to pass an inspection as they need the AS label. You may just have to use the modern belts sold by mini shops.

IIRC the only Mini that came with factory fitted seat belts in 1965 was the Cooper S.
My first S, a 66 model, had grey coloured belts but I can't remember the brand.
The belts were not colour co-ordinated with the interior, which was light green.

RonR

_________________
68 build Mk1 Cooper S
72 Clubman GT project. Total restoration required

They began matching the colour of the belts to the interior trim in October 68. So before that they were probably just grey.

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Have a set of "Star" brand grey seat belts in my Jan 66 Cooper S but who knows if original? I guess after the above info I could always claim they are!

_________________
Cooper S Mk2
Cooper S Mk1
ex Cooper S Mk2, various Morris 1100s, 1300s, 1500s, Leyland Sherpa!

Could we trouble you for a pic?

Thanks everyone for the useful information - now my search begins................

Will grab a pic today and post it up.....

_________________
Cooper S Mk2
Cooper S Mk1
ex Cooper S Mk2, various Morris 1100s, 1300s, 1500s, Leyland Sherpa!

Here are pics of my belts.....

_________________
Cooper S Mk2
Cooper S Mk1
ex Cooper S Mk2, various Morris 1100s, 1300s, 1500s, Leyland Sherpa!

The 68 colour pamphlet for the Mini Range (mostly 67 model cars shown) shows these belts fitted in the Deluxe and the Standard (poverty) Models. They are the lift latch type with either a black or chrome latch (hard to tell in photo). Is this the same as was used for the early Cooper 'S'??





The new colour matching belts, introduced late 68, were likely the new 'push button' style that continued through the Mk2 model.

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Are you planning to fit them to a road car and use on a regular basis? If so be aware of the limitations of the buckles and webbing in very old belts. The original style belts are often sought after for authenticity in a display car but may not be appropriate for regular use. The lack of inertia reel functionality is also a shortcoming for a daily use car, especially in a Mini where some switches are not in easy reach.

There's been a lot of forum discussion on this topic over the years so you may want to do a search to find those posts.

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43