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MG MGA - 3 pont seat belts

I have purchased 3 point seat belts through a Moss distributor. They are the type that can clip out so you can fold the convertible top down and reconnect the shoulder harness part of the belt. I presently have lap belts, but the thought of doing a face plant
into the windshield, steering wheel etc. thrills me even less than the thought of the car being destroyed, in the event of an accident.
Has anyone installed these and where would be the preferred location for the shoulder harness section of the belt without desecrating the car? I was kind of thinking in the verticle rear bulkhead/ boot front wall near the sides similar to how the MGB is mounted, although it may not be a strong enough structure unless they are mounted lower down on the bulkhead. It has heavy eyebolts that the belt clips to.

Ralph
Ralph

Ralph
I think your best bet is to contact Todd Clarke in Pa. His company sells a kit to provide the mounting points for a three point belt in a MGA. There is a bracket provided that is welded in to the rear bulkhead. This kit works well as it allows the belts to be removed so the top can be raised and lowered.

Hope this helps.

Rich
Rich

I have the install kit mentioned above (bought for my 58 1500) and it matches the stock brackets on my 1962 1600 MKII.The bracket is welded under the bodywork between cockpit and boot centered on the seem at the corner right under where the rear cockpit rails meet.I can E- mail pictures if needed.
Good luck Randy
R J Brown

I would also recommend Todd's brackets. If your paint is good, be careful welding them in. They are welded inside the lip on the rear turtledeck. I welded mine myself, and though it didn't bubble the paint, it did discolour it just a bit. Perhaps someone better at welding could do it without harming the paint or perhaps a spot welder would be better. The bulkhead is not very strong, and the bracket gets most of its strength from where it is welded to the lip on the body. I have seen mention of bolting the belt fitting to the top of the wheel well, but that puts the mounting point way too low.
Jeff Schultz

I had Todd's kit installed but I haven't used it or bought belts for it. I'm in and out of my car a lot leaving it in open public areas always using my tanneau. It would be an extra hassel to remove and reinsall the tonneau, or the shoulder belt, every time I get in and out. I'm using lap belts only. Lazy I guess. Am I missing something? I know, someday it could be my teeth.
Steve.
Steve Meline

You should not have to remove the belt to put the top up. Just move the belt up and out of the way. As to the tonneu cover with the sholder belt, I have to have just the back side of the tonneu cover un snaped just one or two only. You can look at my car Steve, and see how it looks and works.
JEFF BECKER

Randy:

Could you e-maill the seat belt photos you referenced. I'd like to install 3-point belts and would find them of help. Many thanks.
Bob, 1958 MGA 1500
Bob Ravich

Randy,

Could please email me also a copy of the seat belt photo's. I also like to install the 3-point safety belts in my 1958 MGA 1500. Thanks, Ludo
Ludo Tilburgs

I am trying to figure out what the tonneau cover has to do with the seatbelts. The tonneau snaps on top of the cockpit, and the top of the 3-point belts attaches under the rear turtledeck, I don't see how they interfere. You do have to unhook the 3-point belts to raise the top, because they are in front of the top and the belts are in the way when you swing the top out of its storage area. What am I missing?
Jeff Schultz

Jeff S.,
I will be looking at Jeff B.'s car to see how it really works but I leave my tonneau in place, snapped on to the back of the cockpit and drapped down behind the seats, when driving. I expected this would be fouled by the shoulder belt but Jeff B. says it's not much of a problem.
Steve
Steve Meline

If you can locate a 62 MKII in your area you can see how the third seat belt fastener is attached as they came standart in the MKII. Have a good day!

John
John Progess

My set-up is just like the Mark 2. The reason to unfasten the tonnau is for the belt to set proper with the tonnau folded behind the seatso it goes over your sholder. If it was not unsnaped, the belt would have to come from the side of the seat vs coming over the top of the seat. I don't know about taking the pin out of the bracket for the top to be put up. My top seems to be more for looks than being used!!!!!!
JEFF BECKER

Randy,
Could you e-mail the pics of your seatbelt set-up also?
(I have Todd Clarke's kit, but haven't installed it yet.)

Thanks, John

e-mail= leonard at svsu dot edu
J.P. Leonard

To all who ask for pictures of the bracket. One of the threads above titled Proud Doors has a response from Jon Bachelor tht shows a link to Eclectic Motors follow it then look on the left side of the website for previous work 1600 MK11- sheetmetal restoration. then go down to the interior pictures and you will find what you need. I left my digital camera in my Sequoia and drove in a customers Lexus in for work this morning so its not here. If any need addl. pictures later the offor is still good.
Randy Brown (58 Coupe,58 rdstr,60 1600,62 1600 MK11)
R J Brown

I just found the instructions from Clarke Spares. If any one wants a copy e-mail me your fax # and I will fax them to you.
Randy
R J Brown

Randy,

Could please email me also a copy of the seat belt photo's. I like to install the 3-point safety belts in my 1960 MGA 1600.

Thank´s
P-O

P-O Lindroos

This thread was discussed between 08/07/2005 and 26/07/2005

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