Hi all,
I was browsing a few of the old threads on rear retractable lap/sash seatbelts. I couldn't find any working photos of this--does anyone have some they can re-post? I'm interested in the reinforcement work under the speaker shelf, as well as the lower points.

Thanks in advance,
bmc

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Ben McCafferty
Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA
1970 ex-police mk2 Cooper S

Hi,

As far as I know, Australian minis never had retractable seat belts. I believe this was only introduced on later UK model cars.

I could very well be wrong.

Ryan

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Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

Yep, no rear retractables in Aus built Minis.

I dont know what the design and safety rules are in Washington State and you didnt say what year your Mini is, but no Mini in Aust before 1977/78 was built for retractable seat belts, built as in structurally strong enough. Any attempt to mount them in the rear parcel pockets involves serious reinforcing.

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Umm, do you mean rear retractables? or all retractables?

Umm, do you mean rear retractables? or all retractables?[/quote]

Not designed for retractable seat belts at all.

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Sorry, but they did fit front retractables to the later Aussie Minis. From about 76 I think.

Cherry has retractable front seat belts...she's a 76

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maybe snail is trying to say that retractable seatbelts were fitted in the front, but they weren't "designed", just shoved in

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

They redesigned the mounts to make them fit, there was quite a lot changed to make it work. So it was not just a case of shoving them in.

Yep front retractables from around 76, but these were never located in the rear storage pocket AFAIK.

No aussie mini ever had rear retractables from the factory.

You would be better with static or the retractor would be up on the rear parcel shelf, and would be an eye sore.

Reinforcing is a must and must be done correctly, depending upon the USA, and state legislation!

Sorry, no pics

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68 Deluxe.... it's shiny..... I like shiny!!

well that's OK then!

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Hmmm...interesting.

Both my '66 s and my '70 s have retractable front seat belts. Of course I have no way of knowing if they're original, but the belts are identical in both cars, in any case. They just bolt into captive threaded holes/nuts at all three connection points.

In one of the old threads I was reading, the guy mentioned a retractable rear setup that had the retractors on the speaker shelf, in the center, and the buckle on the outboard sides. All mounting points were reinforced with some sort of riveted plate behind or similar.

Here's the thread that discussed it:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... seat+belts

Thanks.
bmc

Edit: by the way, our cars over here never go through any sort of safety inspection like the TUV in Germany, etc. We just register and drive. Kind of stupid, no? So regs have nothing to do with it--I just want to be able to keep my kids in the car instead of doing a Superman out the windshield. Any other rear seat belt options are more than welcome...

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Ben McCafferty
Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA
1970 ex-police mk2 Cooper S

OK ,OK 76/77 but thats exactly what I said , before that time no Mini was built structurally strong enough for any retractable seat belts.

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Umm, the factory front retractables were mounted in the rear storage pocket. They were bolted to the sill inside the storage pocket.

You can get rear belts that mount under the parcel shelf and the belt feeds through a slot in the top. I don't know where you would find them though. My Montego had them fitted when it was imported to comply to ADRs.