Fitting Child Seats

[Stag Owner]

Was lucky enough to become a grandparent a few years ago and have a three year old granddaughter and two year old grandson. Now that the nicer weather is coming I’d like to fit a couple of child seats in the back of the Stag so that we can take them out for days.

Has anyone fitted child seats in a Stag and is it something I could / should tackle myself? I’ve fitted them before to a modern car which came from the factory already prepped for them and that was easy enough but I very much doubt the Stag is so prepared - it does however have a pair of lap only seatbelts in the back.

Any advice and guidance appreciated.

[dasadrew]

moved from Technical Section as it is not a guide to performing a job on the Stag

[barkerwilliams]

https://www.footmanjames.co.uk/blog/seat-belt-laws-classic-cars

The link above is to a classic car insurer and has the lines

Therefore, if you own a classic car and no seat belts are fitted as standard, you have no legal obligation to have them fitted.

However, you should bear in mind that children under 3 years old will not be able to travel in your vehicle. Children over 3 years of age are only allowed to sit in the back seats.

However I;m sure that as a grandparent you are not too concerned about the minimum legal aspects but you really want to protect your grandchildren in the event of a serious accident.

If you take your car for MOT at a local garage then why not remove the rear seats (so they can see the metalwork) and drive the car down there and have a chat with them about what they would advise for fitting high level attachment plates to take a child seat and the loads it needs to support in a serious accident.

If nothing else such garages know everyone in the trade in the area and can point you in the right direction.


Alan

[davidf]

3 point belt kits are available from Tony Hart.
If you have a Mk2, I think all the fitting points are there - mine is a Mk1 and I had to drill 2 holes in each wheel arch.
They are excellent, and fine for a child seat as well a an adult.
I did find I needed to put a folded towel under the side of the seat nearest the middle of the car, otherwise the child seat tilted (because of the shape of the rear seat base). That was only for comfort, I don't think it compromises safety.