wouldnt a pre 70's mini be exempt from adr's?

For $60, just buy three, one to give the engineer so he can do some testing to see if it certifies with ADRs

HPDesign is right, you wouldn't think it but there are insurance companies that would decline to pay out for a simple car park accident because your seats are illegal....

Yes. But depending on what state you live in that appears to mean squat (Talking from experience here, trying to get my ADR approved seats okayed for my pre-ADR car).

In reference to your email enquiry regarding replacement seating in early mini's, as well as ADR compliant cars, please be advised of the following requirements in South Australia:

Pre ADR vehicles - Whilst there are no specific design standards for these seats we would expect a vehicle to be fitted with seats manufactured by either another vehicle manufacturer or a reputable aftermarket seat manufacturer. The seats would have to meet accepted automotive standards for the mounting to the floor and in the case of a two door vehicle with seating in the rear permit access to the rear by conventional means.

ADR vehicles - Any replacement seat would need to be from either a vehicle that has the same, or higher, ADR requirement or an aftermarket seat that is labelled as meeting the ADR's. Mounting of the seat may require an engineers report where non original mounting points are manufactured or where a cradle is used to mount the seat to the floor that was not supplied by the seat manufacturer. Access to the rear seat is the same as for pre ADR vehicles.

Seats as per the one shown on the ebay address supplied would require proof of compliance as there is no mention of compliance with any applicable standards. It is not illegal to sell items on ebay as they can be used for off road and marine use, it comes down to the buyer being cautious and aware of the individual State and Territory requirements.

Your email question on applicable standards for seats for vehicles that predate and postdate Australian Design Rules (ADRs)

has been forwarded on to me for comment on behalf of the Northern Territory Motor Vehicle Registry.



Where a vehicle predates an applicable Australian Design Rule (ADR), (ie where that ADR is not binding) then the requirements of the Australian Vehicle (Standards) Rules (AVSRs) must be met. That is, “A seat for a driver or passenger in a vehicle must be securely attached to the vehicle.”



In the NT, where a vehicle (that is not subject to the ADR) is to be modified using an aftermarket seat-ie where the seat is not an (Vehicle) Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specification seat, then as a modified vehicle, the seats would need to comply with the requirements of the National Code of Practice – VSB5 and be approved in line with the Northern Territory modified vehicle process on a case by case basis.



Where a vehicle is subject to an ADR, and it is proposed to fit Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) seats or aftermarket seats, then the seats and the fitment must comply with the applicable ADRs applying to the vehicle. Where aftermarket seats are fitted, then the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction & Modification - Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14 (VSB14),is the applicable reference document.



The National Vehicle Standards Bulletins are available at the following URL:

http://www.dotars.gov.au/roads/safety/b ... index.aspx

Mike

We have 2 sets, 1 set with recliners and one set for the Lotus Europa that has one fixed back for driver and recliner for passenger, they are fine and well put together and seem to be quite strong

Jon

Re: Your enquiry concerning aftermarket seats

1. There are no specific requirements for seats fitted to vehicles manufactured before 1969. There are general requirements for modifications to vehicles that would require any replacement seat to be structurallysound and securely attached. However no formal certification would berequired for aftermarket seat installations in these older vehicles

2. Vehicles manufactured after 1968 are subject to ADR requirements. Amongst other things these relate to the strength of the seat itself and to its anchorage to the vehicle (ADR 3); the provision of head restraints (ADR22 from 1972) and seat belt geometry ie the position of the seat in relation to the seat belt anchorages (ADR 5). Formal certification is required for seat installations in these newer vehicles

3. In Victoria the owner of a vehicle that is subject to ADRs and that ismodified in a way that affects (or could affect) ADR compliance is required to obtain a Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) Approval Certificate. A list of VASS Signatories is available on the VicRoadswebsite.

You should advise your members in Victoria to consult a VASS Signatory before modifying a vehicle. VicRoads has no issue with people selling/buying car seats on eBay. The issues for registering authorities only arise when a non-original equipment seat is fitted to a registered vehicle.

So seemingly for a 1970 vehicle:

“A seat for a driver or passenger in a vehicle must be securely attached to the vehicle.”

is the only requirment.

it doesn't say where on the vehicle...

I haven't seen their reclining models and I'm not really sure whether I'd want to take a risk on them when the most complex part (the reclining mechanism) is also the most likely point of failure.