"I wonder if there is a way to "neatly" weld the seat belt bracket to the B pillar. " why yes, yes there is.

I wonder if there is a way to "neatly" weld the seat belt bracket to the B pillar. Otherwise I may have to wrap myself in bubble wrap.What about just seatbelts? Is there a place in the early carss for them to bolt in?? I wouldbe fine with non retractable should or seat belts. I would hate to have to give up this car.

Sorry, misread - thought it was a 62... I don't think 60 cars had predrilled holes but a bolt throught the B pillar was common with early Minis (not that belts were that "usual" back then).

This is no big deal to install....and - IMHO- if someone offers you a fortune for the car but rejects the bolts/holes then it would not be a big deal to weld them up.

A roll bar without belts is defintiely a very BAD idea.  The inside is realtively smooth until you install a a bar.   Just what you need in an accident - something else to smash your head on.

Having rolled my own 850 I can tell you it takes a lot to bash the roof in to the extent that a cage would be of any benefit (look at the shape of the roof in all the pictures).  On the other hand, all 4 of us were belted in and everone crawled out without a scratch (the hardest bit is getting out of the belt when you're hanging upside down.

Cheers, Ian

PS the neat "accident" in photo 4 is really to works Minis in the standard service pose....

OK here is the answer you don't want to hear. They made a sleeve nut kit way back when so you could install 3 point static belts in and early mini. If my brain hasn't turned to total mush I don't think any of the pre 1964 mini's had the anchor nuts in the pillar. They were only installed in the 1964 and up mini when they went from no recess around the windscreens to the recessed type. So to install this sleeve nut anchor you had to drill completely thru the pillar slip the sleeve thru which then gave you the mounting threads on the inside. It had a button head on the outside which didn't look all that bad but kept the sleeve from pulling thru the pillar in the case of an accident. Other than that little contraption they made, you couldn't really just install the later type anchor as the pillar is basically made around it. As I recall looking at two side by side the pillar itself was a little different also. I believe I have my early mini here with the sleeves in it. So not sure if you really want to drill a hole in a perfectly original early mini. Another option that I am sure would please the little woman is install a door pocket roll bar, have someone weld a seat belt anchor to the bar, which would a: give you the mount you need and B:keep you from drilling a hole in the car and c: keep your wife assured that if you get broad sided or flip the Mini you have an added level of protection. Holes in the sill and rear wheel arch are way easier to fill at a later date if someone wanted to remove the bar. Hope this helps.

You can see where to look for the anchor nut locations.

I didnt see any place with  threaded holes for seat or shoulder belts. Do you have to drill holes for these? BTW thanks for the positive comments it is appreciated. Would have bought the Inno but wasnt in good shape. Have plenty to do on the MK1 but seems like a more solid car. Have to redo a repaired front floor and attend to too low suspension but everything else seems pretty good.

 

Not all Minis have the top nut location for a three point harness. My 1967 Riley had lap belts that were a factory option.  The factory option in 1967 were static seatbelts like an airplane. They cost 2.50 GBP . Despite the fact that it had the middle pillar nut. I replaced them originally with retractable belts from a scrapped Mini Metro to get red belts. Then I bought red rear Wesco belts for my rear seat passengers. They offer 29 colors.   Most recently I got new front ones too and they were $64.95 each.

 

Deb

I had a `61 850 here in Oz (were ckd from UK,assembled here)- it had the same 3 point mounts as the later cars, except the top mount in the B pillar was higher up.
The belt tended to chafe the neck so this mount point got lowered in later cars.

Not being familiar with 62s... does your car have the threaded bolt holes in the sills/B pillar that the belts are intended to be anchored to??

As they are sold by MM I would assume that these inertia type belts are appropriate/correct for a Mini.  As the operation of such belts rely on the correct (and exact) orientation of the roller I have always been distrustful of amatuer installations of same.   Old fashioned fixed belts may feel like a bit too much trouble to modern users - but they do work...

Cheers, Ian

Charlie, first of all congrats on getting the Mk1 - that's the one I secretly wanted you to get but there's a lot of different types on here.  The Innocenti would have been cool and of unique interest, but the Mk1 is a favorite.  Yes I am prejudiced.

You can install the seatbelts yourself, a lot of guys have.  It was my first order of business.  

IMO, you should do brand-new Securon shoulder belts as sold here. 

//www.minimania.com/part/MSA1111/Automatic-Retraction-Seat-Belt-1-Belt---Various-Colors

I am 1964 so perhaps it will be different with a '60, but the unit screws right in.  You will have to get a little creative on the supplied spacers.  This is a good 'get your feet wet' experience messing around with the car and its three new friends, Mr. 7/16", 1/2" and 9/16".

These pics are with my old butt-ugly 80's seats but the seatbelt location is the same.  Bolting into the center tunnel is challenging as you reach one arm above to hold the bolt, and the other arm underneath the tunnel to tighten the nut and ensure it is clear of the exhaust pipe. 

Note in the door picture that the inertia reel bolts into the sill.  You'll need to put an included spacer or two on and use the large size bolt to get the reel protruding out clear of the sill.  Also, the door pocket rubs against the reel in my case, so you'll have to ask passengers to put on the belt first and then close the door.

My car is a hard-working daily driver that is a full-standing family member.  It's a commuter and family transport.  However I had to get intense on the rear seat belts which you should probably tackle after the fronts.

About safety, there are more experienced guys here than I but historically the mini tends to bounce off things instead of crushing.  assenger compartments are pretty intact.

I never thought of this when looking for a Mini. I really like the 1960 MK 1 I bought but just realized that it doesnt have any seat belts. My wife is a safety freak and will fight me tooth and nail if the car doesnt have shoulder belts. She was already concerned about size of the car and lack of airbags. I was able to calm her down on those issues but without 3 point belts she will be impossible. Truth is I prefer to have them also. Is there any way to install them in this car. Thanks so much.