I wont rehash everyone else's opinion on putting a child in a Spit. I
would just say it probably is not the safest area in the world. I however,
do often carry my two year old daughter in the passenger seat (she loves
the car, how could I say no). I looked at putting a child seat behind the
seats, I even bought the seat and hardware to do it with, however I have
not done it because it does not fit well, it sits rather high and I am just
not that comfortable with it. Kind of a go with your gut feeling sort of
thing, thought it might have been a good idea, i am not so convinced now.
Without any personal knowledge, it has been conveyed to me that Spits
actually hold up quite well in a frontal or rear collision, but awful in a
side impact. Just remember the most dangerous part of a car is the driver
(or other car's driver). I can say what I do, and will do, and that is to
continue carrying my daughter, whom I hope will also build a love for the
cars, and drive as if the most precious cargo in the world was beside me
(it is).
At 10:00 AM 7/30/98 +0100, Pat Catchpole wrote:
>
>This is the sort of question where everyone can, and will, have their own
>opinion. My thoughts are as follows:
>
>If a child is properly secured in a seat designed for the size / weight of
that
>child, and that seat is in turn attached according to the manufacturers
>instructions, then the child will probably safer than an adult held in
only by
>the standard 3 point belt.
>
>You mention in your sig that the Spit is a '80 model so this will have the
>ratchet type belt - a static (manually adjustable length) one from an
earlier
>car is better for securing child seats.
>
>It has to be remembered that car safety design has moved at an incredible
pace
>in recent years - a Spit does not have side door intrusion beams or
airbags.
>Also a small car will generally come off worse in an accident that a
larger car.
>
>There are a few things that all owners can do to minimise risk before a
crash
>though:
>
>- check the door locks and strikers are all secure and operate correctly.
>- check the seat belt webbing for damage.
>- check the seat belt ratchet mechanism for correct operation if applicable
>- convert to a static seat belt, which is then tightly adjusted every trip
>- make sure the sills aren't rotten - they are the major side impact area
on the
>Spit, GT6, Herald and Vitesse (sorry, Sport 6)
>- buy a roll over bar (this increases body strength / rigidity and
protects your
>head)
>- check the A-posts (wind screen supports) for rot
>- check the seat tilt mechanism is properly secured (better still fix it
>permanently)
>- check tyres (tread, damage & pressure) regularly
>- check brakes and dampers
>- drive defensively (years on a motorbike help here) - expect the other
driver
>to do what you don't expect
>
>The list can go on....
>
>I won't offer my opinion as to what I would do in your situation, that's
for you
>to figure out. However, I would not advocate trying to fit a child seat
in the
>rear area, this was not designed for people (however small they are).
>
>Hope this helps a little.
>
>Pat
>
>Subject: Re: Spit safety question...
>Author: ajb23@dunx1.ocs.drexel.edu at INTERNET-PO
>Date: 29/07/98 23:10
>
>
>It is generally accepted that the front seat of any car (even those with
>more sheet metal than a spit) is unacceptable for a child/child seat... I
>guess unless you can convince yourself that the rear area is a "seat" and
>fit a child seat, facing the rear, back there, I wouldnt put a child in
>there...
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: gsmith <gsmith@cvn.net>
>To: spitfires@autox.team.net <spitfires@autox.team.net>
>Date: Wednesday, July 29, 1998 10:03 PM
>Subject: Spit safety question...
>
>
>>My wife is concerned about strapping our 18-month old son into his car seat
>>in the Spitfire's passenger seat. Any words of encouragement, etc. for her?
>>She's concerned about the safety and stability of the car in an accident.
>>
>>Gregory W. Smith http://www.cvn.net/~gsmith
>>Member, Central Pennsylvania Triumph Club
>>1980 Spitfire 1500 "for the wife" :)
>>1980 TR7 Spider v8 (in progress)
>>1980 TR7 30th Anniversary Edition (deceased)
>>
>>
>
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