Child seat in Squareback

[vw4life269s]

I have a newborn baby and was wondering how do other people fit their car seats in there type 3's?

I have installed a base and then the car seat in the rear seat and then installed the carseat but it is a b**ch to get her in and out of it.
Hope to god no accident because it would be to hard to get her oyt so fast and easy access.

Any help on this situation?
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1969 Squareback Dropped valve and head gasket!! at 83,000 miles --Soon a 2300 RAT MASSIVE Type IV Equipped)
1969 Beetle w/1776 turbo (NOW BOOSTING !)
PORSCHE is TWO Syllables !!!!!!

[JSMskater]

sorry dude, but our little VW's aren't the safest vehicles in crashes. There aren't any side curtain air bags or even that much material between the outside and the interior. They're built strong, and probably wont crumple too badly in a fender bender, but in a real accident? fuhgedaboudit.
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71 Squareback-FI -- 73 Bay (subaru powered)
TOOB Member #3
I make D-jet FI connectors

[ibjack]

Nice Joe, real nice........ I have 4 children and I was never able to get the car seat to the rear facing position. You just have to let them enjoy the view and drive better.
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'68 Lotus White T34 automatic sunroof
'64 Manila Yellow T34
'65 Sea Blue Square Panel
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[vwfreek61]

I rode in aircooled VW's when I was a baby, and I'm still alive.
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Kenneth
1964 Bug with Saxomat
1976 VW/Harley Trike Autostick
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[notchback]

[mythos]

I'm sure he has the squareback because it seems like the potentially safest aircooled.

I know a guy with a squareback and he tried out all of his wife's friends' seats in his car till he found the right fit. They all fit different. His baby is now a toddler and in a booster seat. They are a much easier fit. I can ask him which seat fit best. I hope he remembers.

[hatfulofhollow]

I've got 3 kids, one 12 months old. I'm planning on putting in rear shoulder belts using the existing post holes on the C pillar.

Car seats are a pain in ANY car, just be glad you got to wherever you are going with a little style...

[orbittron]

I have a two-year-old and another on the way. My solution to the child car seat issue in our '67 Fastback; was to use the optional rear saftey belt mounting points to bolt in steel bar with two long eye-bolts attached. The eye-bolts extend above the rear bench and provide points of connection for the child seat using the "latch" system. The "latch" system is standard on all U.S. cars 2002 and later. My son LOVES riding in the VW.

I will also add that the spring seats in the VW are not as stiff as modern foam seats and there is movement in the child seat beyond the one inch maximum recommended.

Safe driving

[frank2]

Imo,i feel my 2 year old son is safer in a old heavier type3 than say my 1700 pound rabbit.My concern was the rough ride(slammed),seemed to rock him to sleep.-Frank

[vw4life269s]

I will be heading down to the local CHP office here in San Diego and see what they recommend.

I hope they like my installation right now and is legal.
I used the rear seat belts and crossed them to latch down the base really tight!
Then I just let the car seat just snap in.I was thinking of unbolting the seat belts and mount the seat belts with 1 side mounted in original position and then the other mount would be were the other seat belt would mount.That way I would have a center mount seat belt.

I think LocalBoy is a police officer.What would you rec.?
_________________
1969 Squareback Dropped valve and head gasket!! at 83,000 miles --Soon a 2300 RAT MASSIVE Type IV Equipped)
1969 Beetle w/1776 turbo (NOW BOOSTING !)
PORSCHE is TWO Syllables !!!!!!

[bus guy]

I had the base and click in rear facing seat when my little guy was a baby and it always felt much safer to me using that setup with a lap belt than a 3 point, just my 2 cents.

[JSMskater]

don't get me wrong, I don't think that the VW is unsafe, I just think that comparing it to a modern car is comparing apples and oranges. just about every car since the mid 90's has at least front air bags, and many SUV's and minivans have side airbags on top of that. not to mention just the extra thickness in material all around. it just doesn't compare the same way. On the other hand, the VW is probably less likely to roll over in the event of a wreck, compared to a mini van or SUV.

it all depends on what your "other" car is and how you drive.

if you've got the choice between a civic sedan and a VW, then who cares? neither has airbags that are going to matter to a small child, and mounting a child seat in the rear, if done right, will be equally secure in both cases. the civic may have *some* better crumple zone engineering, but it hasn't changed all that much since our t3's were built.
_________________
71 Squareback-FI -- 73 Bay (subaru powered)
TOOB Member #3
I make D-jet FI connectors

[JSMskater]

[volksmike]

Rear facing seats are not easy to live with. The lap belt should work well, son long as it is NOT faded and dry rotted. Be carefull of using factory seat belts as they are at least 35 years old... If you buy new belts, be sure they are tested and rated (there will be a tag) Cheap ones don't hold very well, I tried. You can also use eye bolts from a split window type 2 threaded into the stock belt holes and use the latch system belt that comes with most seats.

With any installation, be sure to put your own body weight on the base/seat as you tighten the belt. This will take the spring out of the seat cushon. It is good when you can grab the base/seat and rock the car with it. It takes some practice and can be a bit*h, but it is better than the other outcome.

Good luck!

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Old cars weren't designed with possible infant/child seats in mind so, yeah, stuff just ain't gonna fit. BTDT! Since our cars do not have air-bags (thank goodnes IMO) you could put the rear-facing seat in the front passenger seat, with the other parent riding in back.

My sister and I grew up in my Squareback and we didn't wear seatbelts until we were older. Comparing the safety of an old car to a modern one is simply stupid. Our cars DO HAVE CRUMPLE ZONES! Primative compared to modern cars, but there nonetheless. I know we've personally seen many instances of crumpled cars at the DDB shop. Even replaced a few noses because of it. Safety is ultimately the responsibility of the driver -- and in an accident involving two or more drivers, this would include the others ...which, unfortunately, we can't always control. Anyway...

Getting forward-facing child seats can be hit-or-miss as stated above. I got our Brittax to fit but only if the front passenger seat is pushed all the way forward. And I load it into the car by passing it through the rag top opening

Not sure about local laws but since it's a classic automobile it may be exempt. Do your research and get a copy of the ordinance so you can show the city revenue collector, er, traffic cop you're ridin' legit (may help, may not, but doesn't hurt to show it).
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Did I mention that I'm an original Darksider?
'72 VW Squareback, 2007cc, GB 5-speed, rag top; '76 VW Riviera Penthouse Sundowner 2.0L; 2015 Audi S5 Cabby w/Stage II APR; '06 Ducati Sport Classic 1000; '14 Ducati Diavel Strada
The First Invasion

[Hilda]

California Vehicle Code

Restraint Laws For Children Under 16 (27360-27368 VC)

A DRIVER who is transporting a child in a passenger vehicle, motor truck, truck tractor, or three-wheeled vehicle is required to properly secure the child. 27360 (a) VC

If the PARENT is in the car, he or she is cited instead of the driver. 27360 (b)(1) VC

Children must be in a child restraint system until they are at least 6 years old or 60 lbs.

Exceptions to requirement for child restraint system: Children who weigh more than 40 lbs. may be transported in just a lap belt if the back seat of the vehicle does not have a combination lap and shoulder belt. In an emergency vehicle or in case of a life-threatening emergency, if there is no safety seat available, a child under 6 years and 60 lbs. may be secured with a vehicle safety belt. Physical unfitness, medical condition, or size may be cause for exemption, as determined by the court.

Exceptions to rear seat requirement: No forward-facing rear seat in vehicle; child restraint cannot be properly installed in rear seat; all rear seats are occupied by other children under age 12; medical reasons. An infant (riding in a rear-facing child restraint or under one year or less than 20 lbs.) may not ride in front if there is an active passenger air bag.

Children who are at least 6 years old OR weigh at least 60 lbs. and are under age 16 must be properly secured in either a child restraint system or a properly fitted safety belt. 27360.5 VC

Hope this helps

[Adriel Rowley]

First, the safest spot in an accident is the rear passenger side, and the worse the front passenger side. This was from A.A.A., but I do not remember when.

Second, on getting the child out: I found it easier to get stuff out with the front seat all the way forward. Thus, keep the tracks greased. How little I thought of my tracks until I broke a cover. Then, Jim Adney pointed it out, and I have not had any trouble since, and the seats work better.

Third, if one was really concerned, and wanted to be fast, you could remove the front passenger seat. Mexican Beetle taxis had their seat removed, B.T.W..

Forth, I feel way safer in a small auto with out airbags. Small autos can dodge accidents way easier (I have done it many times), plus the great speed of the 1600 really adds to it. Air bags are nice, but they can injure or kill worse than an accident just in itself. Oh, and with the great view it is hard to miss something (as I did in my Ford Focus).
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Please consider I am Autistic, so I process information differently and still working on social skills. Thanks.

Dad's 1964 Beetle purchased September 1968.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9252810#9252810

1971 Sunroof Squareback with Fuel Injection
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=219811&highlight=squareback+rejuvenation

[VdubNewgye]

I installed Oshit handles and told my kids to hang on. F*** seat belts.

[Mike Fisher]

My son rolled his 67 square 2 times on a curve late for work last summer! He says he would have went out through the windshield, but his lap belt kept it to just glass scratches on his forehead! He's 6'3". The roof barely moved, but we're wearing our seatbelts!

[Air_Cooled_Nut]