What type of seatbelts were originally fitted to 1966 model minis (About April 66).

This is the belt that was fitted into my car (The only remnant that was there)

Does it look familiar? if so what is it?

If its wrong (I think it might be) what is it supposed to have?

I have been told later mk1's had the same belts as early mini clubman (except BMC sticker rather than a Leyland sticker)

Thanks Brenton

_________________

AFAIK the standard factory belts are the ones you are thinking of, angular shape, round button. Ford used the same. I'd say yours have been replaced. Probably not uncommon in minis as they often get damaged by getting caught under the seats.

_________________

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

The ones I was told were correct for a late mk1, were this type.

Wondering if early mk1's used the same, or there was some changeover point

_________________

My early 66 had Star brand seatbelts when I got it. No idea if original......

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

The one in yours looks very much like the same as later Mokes. The round button had the Leyland logo in it I think.

Down here I've seen the early britax type in a 66 S but I dont know if that is original or not.

_________________
1963 Morris 850 Smoke Grey
1963 Morris 850 Shadow Blue
1965 Morris Mini Smooth Van
1966 Morris Mini Van
1969 Morris Mini Deluxe Resto
5/72 Clubman Gt

Well that could be a coincidence or something else.

The one in my car is star. Anyone else have Star belts

_________________

It would be interesting to know when belts were first fitted by the factory. I'd lay odds that in 66 they were a dealer option ..if fitted at all. Certainly no belts fitted in 64. I have a vague memory of a mate's mother's Matic having matching (to the interior) green belts in 68/69 so maybe they were factory... but even then probably an option.

Britax and Kangol were prominent brands back then.

Vic mandated the use of belts before any of the other states so maybe its in their rules somewhere....

Cheers, Ian

This page from the Feb 1968 issue of Parts News Newsletter suggests seat belts were first fitted in production in mid to late 1967. Prior to that they were available as an accessory. I'll see if I can find a more precise date.

The main type used in the 1960's were Britax with the angled buckle and BMC sticker as posted above.

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

This should settle any arguments.

Technical Bulletin C53/66 (mentioned in the page below) describes how to Dealer fit seat belts. I can post if anyone is interested.

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

As stated in the 1966 brochure for the Australian MK1 Cooper S 1275 - 3 point seatbelts for driver and front passenger using built in anchorage points were standard fitment.
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=73877
I was sure this was a selling feature from the get go in August 1965. The magazine tests in Jan and Feb 1966 all say that front belts were standard fitment. Maybe these were all dealer fitted from car 501 to car 2750 and any style belt was fitted.
I have been searching for a period photo of the style used but there are not many photos showing the buckles.

The factory documentation points to this being the case, although belts would've come from the BMC approved range which changed from time to time. Britax and Cooldrive are mentioned by name.

The C53/66 Bulletin tells Dealers how to fit belts that came with the car when delivered to the Dealer and, separately, belts that would need to have come from the Dealer's parts inventory.

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

Perhaps because early on the cooper s was one of the few cars with belts as standard it was simpler to just supply the belt set packaged with the car and let the dealer fit it. Having dealer fit would also save them being damaged or dirtied during delivery, same reason cars would have been delivered with plastic covers on the seats or the hubcaps removed. Sometimes even the carpet would be rolled up in the boot I have heard.

Later when fitting belts across the range it just became part of normal production.

_________________

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