Gregory Smith writes:
> > 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.
Andrew J. Braverman noted:
> 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...
Admittedly I've a more than passing interest in this topic -- as a
Triumph enthusiast, as a bit of a student of safety and related issues
over the years (including some undergraduate and graduate credit in
Traffic Safety/Driver Education programs) AND as a parent.
The front seat really isn't an ideal place for a child/child seat. It is
acceptable, however, with proper restraints and the ABSENCE of an air bag
for that seat position (particularly with rear-facing seats for infants).
As Pat Catchpole noted, the ratchet or inertia-reel type belt found in the
later Spitfires is not ideal. But there are clips available (they often
come with car seats, in fact) that effectively disable the inertia reel
function while preserving the ability of the belt to securely fasten an
object such as a child seat.
Pat also noted:
> 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.
I suspect that also is true.
> [Pat:] ...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.
Fortunately (?) for us in the United States, the later Spitfires DID have
side impact beams in the doors. I feel that the rest of Pat's suggestions
are excellent, most especially points about the structural integrity of
the car and the soundness and proper maintenance of ALL components. I have
seen too many rusted cars -- big or small -- that were literally shattered
in a serious impact. It's not a pretty sight.
As for the Spitfire itself being safe, all other things being equal? Many,
many years ago I read an article in a local newspaper citing a study of
accidents done by New York State's Department of Motor Vehicles. For what
it's worth, Triumph was ranked as one brand of car that tended to fare
reasonably well in crashes. I've often regretted not keeping a copy of
that article. Perhaps someday I'll see if I can track down it or the
study.
As for "personal" experience: Fortunately I have none in terms of crashing
Spitfires (Heralds are another story). But I can offer examples
(unscientific study, I know) of friends' experiences:
1966 Mk.2 -- driver fell asleep, went off road, hit tree @ 35-40mph.
Driver (only occupant) suffered bad cut on knee from oil gauge surround
mounted below dash. Otherwise ok. Front end destroyed; passenger
compartment remained relatively intact.
1973 1500 -- car with two occupants was rear-ended while stopped (impact
on the RH corner) by much larger Pontiac sedan doing perhaps 25-30 mph. RH
rear quarter, etc. nicely absorbed the crash impact, severe enough to
twist the chassis (pre-rear outrigger style of chassis, so obviously the
impact was pretty severe). Both occupants sore but basically uninjured.
Both doors on the car could be opened, RH door albeit with slight extra
effort. Car could move under own power, although wheel well made serious
intrusion into tire tread, and impact had weakened RH axle u-joint.
OK, that's two out of goodness knows how many Spitfire crashes over the
last 36 years. But I have friends still alive at least in part because of
how well their Spitfires performed in moderately severe crashes.
Meanwhile, my 9-year-old daughter was transported much of the first year
of her life in a 1974 Spitfire 1500 I had at the time. Quite simply, I'd
not have done this had I not been comfortable with the idea.
My apologies for going on at such length. This happens to be a subject
about which I feel very strongly -- not only for our children, but for
their parents as well! ;-)
--Andy
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* Andrew Mace, President and *
* 10/Herald/Vitesse (Sports 6) Consultant *
* Vintage Triumph Register <www.vtr.org> *
* amace@unix2.nysed.gov *
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