MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - MGA SEAT BELTS QLD AUSTRALIA



I have recently returned to live in Australia in Queensland (Gold Coast) after living overseas for a number of years. After careful investigation and thought I brought my 1960 MGA with me. After the trauma and costs involved of dealing with Customs and Quarantine the car is now ready to be registered and has passed road worthy with no problems. The car is very original. I have now hit a brick wall over seat belts with Queensland Transport. it is now a requirement that from 1960 a car must be fitted with new lap sash seat belts and must comply with the latest rules. This has given me one big headache after all the effort and cost so far. The MGA was not designed to have seat belts and although I do have a lap sash fitted to offer some security it is not retractabel and does not comply anyway. Given the design the hood etc I can see no way that it would comply. It is my car that is at issue because it has been imported.

Does anybody have any advice.

Gerry Cronin
Email: ginger44@eircom.net
Gary Lock

Hi Gerry,

nasty problem! You could try Pawel at Quick fit SBS -
pawel@quickfitsbs.com

He's very helpful and they offer many types of "classic" belts and modern improvememts that still look "classic". Belts can be made to your spec, including colour, fixings and clips.

I bought a set for a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, and lets just say that the whole set was a lot less than going through other routes.

Only snag for you is that they're over here in the UK.

Good luck!

Grant :-)
G Hudson

Gerry, Do not despair. All is not lost.Contact Bob West who can supply a static period type belt(although I have an idea that someone on this forum complained about a long delivery time from him). MG Owners Club have static and inertia types in their catalogue and also quickfitsbs can supply.
All the systems are made so that they will fit in and around the roadster hood whether its up or folded away.
Ask more if you need more info.
David
D C GRAHAME

I bought a two static 3-point sets from Bob West and one of your country folk down south (Barry Gannon) welded the anchor plates when he was over here with me. It was less than a morning's work fitting the 2 sets. Most of the time was spent sorting out my MIG welder (wrong size nozzle bit for the wire diameter). Otherwise a relatively easy job.

My car is a roadster. Bob's sets come with quick release fasteners so that the hood can be put up; then reconnect. I got around this slight chore by removing the hood - who needs them anyway? It is an open top sports car after all.

Steve
Steve Gyles

If the belts need to be retracting then as Grant said Quickfit SBS do indeed provide a custom solution for MGA. I also found that Pawel is very helpful!

Neil
Neil McGurk

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VINTAGE-MG-MGA-MGB-SEAT-LAP-BELTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ33725QQihZ020QQitemZ300282304867QQtcZphoto
Wim Betzel

I am facing a similar problem getting my TF ready for the National Meeting as 3 point belts are minimum for the hillclimb.
Have a look at the very good Hemco website. They are near Bendigo and do custom belts.

Cheers,
Matthew.
Matthew Magilton

Garry, I had a simular in Sydney last year with a '57 Roadster, I wanted 3 point belts for safety and got round the hassle with the local RTA by getting the job done by a company who fit and comply seat belts to tour buses. They got an engineering certificate from the licenced inspector who certifies the buses.
It's not what you know but who you know Sean
S Sherry

Gary,
You have mail - I fitted the Bob West period replica seat belts only to be told they don't comply to Australian Standards ($400) and could not be used for Club competition. I have replaced with 3 point Hemco belts ($195). I installed the replica Mk 11 anchorages from Clarke Spares ($150).
Mike
1960 MGA
Mike Ellsmore (1)

Hemco installation
Mike


Mike Ellsmore (1)

Gary, are you saying that QLD Transport have told you that if your car had period belts fitted as an option originally you have to retro upgrade to 2009 ADR standards belts now?
Mark Mathiesen

Why wouldn't the three point belts from a late model MGB,fit,do the job,and look right? RIC
RIC LLOYD

Ric, Australia has some of the toughest modification/registration laws in the world. For example a perspex windscreen is illegal on any road car made after 1945, that includes all aftermarket produced MGA comp screens and Healey 100 S screens even though they were legal at time of manufacture. Likewise side pipes (cobra) are illegal on replicas but OK on real ones due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning (figure that one out...ever had to stop at lights in an MG with a truck beside you? Guess where his side exhaust points!!!). Even the fitment of a non-original part (such as the MGB belts as you mention and that increases safety) after about 1990 (when the new legislation was introduced) neans you need to get an independent assessor, a special modification plates fitted in the engine bay and dollars to test compliance. A replica must comply with regulations almost as severe as a new car). As I pointed out earlier, you can try and bluff your way around this (and there is a replica D-Type Jag doing this right now)but the cost is a car that has no public liability, no legal road rights and huge penalties (including the potential of a manslaughter cahrge if the car caused a death in the modified state). Oh for the ease of modifications that you Yanks have
regards
Mark
Mark Mathiesen

Gerry Cronin, Queensland Australia, ginger44@eircom.net

Mark I sent you an email re the seat belts did you receive@ I have had trouble setting up my link and ended going onto Gary's as I still have an Irish email address. I am waiting to hear from Queensland Transport after the engineer who has to fit the modification plate inspected the vehicle. Yes an imported 1960 MGA has to comply with the current requirements. thanks for all the responces I have got some information from them and when I hear from Queensland transport I will let all know the outcome. But it has been extremenly frustarting after all the effort to get the car to Australia and the costs to the end up at present the car now just sitting in the garage.

Regards
Gerry
Gary Lock

This thread was discussed between 11/02/2009 and 18/02/2009

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.