does anyone know

[weewillie]

if the 1969 mini was fitted with seatbelts, I don't think so as the holes for the bolts to not have nuts on the back side.

 

[Ken G]

When you say "fitted with" do you mean as delivered new, or installed by or at the request of the owner? My first car was a 1968 Mini (848 cc), and certainly it had inertia-reel belts, but I don't remember whether they were standard, an optional extra, or whether I had them installed before delivery (like the ammeter which I certainly did have installed).

Ken G, 1925 Rover 16/50 (San Francisco)

 

[weewillie]

on the rear PO cut out the parcel shelf and back panel to fit stereo equipment so i am replacing them with later model panels that have the captive nuts for seat belts but just wondered about the original.

 

[dklawson]

Mounting points for the front belts were certainly on the cars by the time mine was built in '64. The rear belts came later but I'm not sure when. The inertia belts wouldn't have been standard (front or rear) until sometime in the 1970s. There was some reinforcing added to the rear parcel shelf and the boot floor where it joins the seat-back to support the rear belts.

 

[Bruce Bowker]

My 1967 has factory belts but not rear.

 

[weewillie]

thanks guys that's great, now another quickie what's the easiest way to remove the rear window (without putting something through it) lol

 

[bcliff]

Mine came out really fast with a razor blade....OH, did you want to re-use the gasket?
Bruce

 

[weewillie]

actually yes Bruce as it is in perfect condition, but I want to take the window out so I can weld in a new parcel shelf

 

[dklawson]

Find the end of the plastic lock strip on the outside of the window gasket. Gently lever the strip out where you can grab it with your hands and pull it out gently at a low angle. Once the lock strip is out you can have an assistant gently push the glass out while you support it from the outside.

The use of the traditional "pull string" method to insert the glass isn't a great idea on the Mini if you have the vinyl trim pads for the rear window pillars or if you've applied vinyl to the front pillars. The string method requires two people and can easily damage the vinyl. Instead....

Contrary to what you may read in the manuals or have done on other cars, putting the glass back works best using the following sequence.
1) Fit the rubber to the car body's window opening.
2) Rest the bottom edge of the window glass in the bottom edge of the rubber gasket.
3) Use a PLASTIC putty knife, spatula, or similar to lever the edge of the rubber over the edge of the glass. (DO NOT use a metal pry lever).
4) Once the glass is seated in the gasket, use a window lock strip tool to insert the filler strip. Most people I know swear by using "KY" jelly as the lube for inserting the filler strip.

You can improvise lock strip insertion tools but the real tool and a little lube makes this process a lot less painful.

 

[weewillie]

excellent thanks guys

 

[RichMk1]

My 63 didnt,Didnt even have holes for bolts.

 

[DrEntropy]

Willie: you can fab up an adequate tool for inserting the lock strip from a wire coat-hanger. Check the shape of the factory tool in the manual and copy it. I hold it steady with small vice-grips as the "handle". For "pry tools" I have tongue depressors and chopsticks, some with shapes on the ends for various uses. Glycerine works well as an assembly lube too, BTW.

 

[sideache]

I think I remember reading some place that belts (front) were an option until 68 when they became standard equipment.

 

[Silverghost]

On the seatbelt topic - I am looking for guidance in installing seat belts for the rear seat in my 64 Traveller. I have seat belts out of another car - 96 Dodge caravan (they were free). Any suggestions on anchor points, locations, etc.

Thanks in advance for any input.
Peter