Itinerant Air-Cooled

Hi All - First time in (and posting on) the Type 1 forum.

My better half has fallen in love with a 78 Bug convertible. Before we go any further in the investigation, we wanted to know if a car seat can correctly be fastened in the back seat.

Anyone know?

Also, anyone know how to fit a Toyota Corolla, a Subaru Forester, a 78 Westy and a 78 Bug in a 2.5-car garage???

Thanks

Hiya Blotto,

Mr Blotto wrote:...... we wanted to know if a car seat can correctly be fastened in the back seat.
Anyone know?

Well, I don't know for sure. I haven't owned a 78 or a convertible, it's been a while since I car seated any of my kids, and I'm not sure exactly what "correctly" means in this context. However, I am quite familiar with the ergonomics of the usual Bug rear seat and its relationship with the front seats.

If, by correctly fastened, you are referring to installing the car seat so that the little rugrat is facing the rear of the car, I don't think you will have enough room for a passenger in the front seat. That front seat will have to be moved forward enough so that the seat back allows enough room for the car seat. Add to that, getting the little guy in and out would take a contortionist.

On the other hand, if the car seat faces forward disregard the above. There are lap belts to anchor the rear legs of the car seat, but there are no shoulder belts. Still it's gonna be tough on Mom's back if she has to lift junior into that car seat. It's a lift, bend, and twist kinda proposition if the top is down.

How old is your kiddo? As I recall from the pics, she's still pretty small but the blasted things will grow overnight on ya!

I have a '79 convertible and I can definitely say a booster seat fits fine (although you technically don't need a booster with just a lap belt). I have also put a full-size forward-facing car seat in the back and it fit. It's snug, but it fit. One of the front seat occupants (driver or passenger) will likely have to move their seat forward a bit to help accommodate the little one. I'm reasonably sure that a rear-facing (infant up to age one) seat will not work.

If you like, I can put my son's seat in the back of my bug and snap a photo or two (apparently I'm good at that) so you can see for yourself.

Another thing to consider. In my '79, the rear seat belts were lap-only, but retractable. Fine for adults, but not the best for anchoring a car seat in my opinion. In addition, you can't use the gold-toned buckle-doo-dad that the car seats provide for clasping the shoulder belts together. I simply replaced my rear belts with bus bench seat belts. They work great and I'm confident the car seat will stay put. It's easy to do so don't let this dissuade you at all from buying the bug.

Of the four vehicles we own, two buses, a bug and a Chevy pickup, my kid's favorite, hands-down, is the convertible Beetle. '78 is a great year with that wonderful fuel injection and a nicer price than the last-year-must-buy-at-all-cost '79.

I've exhausted my hyphen quota so I'm done. Let me know if you would like some pics.

Lap belt and car seat in a Beetle is a snug fit but it is functional. Our kid just graduated to a booster seat.

i just installed 4 3 point seatbelts in my '60 this weekend.
no belts or mounting holes from the factory.

Hi guys, thanks for this info.

I think we will take a look and see what kind of shape she is in....

Did all 78's have FI? Cause this one has carbs......

Mr Blotto wrote:Did all 78's have FI? Cause this one has carbs......

Oh the humanity! Yes, all '78's destined for the US had fuel injection. Too bad your prospect doesn't anymore.

I have a '74 Super and use a child seat. My son spends the whole ride kicking his Mom in the back and there's no way to mount the seat in the middle. He is unusually long though. So his legs don't have anywhere to go. He and I both prefer the Bus.

zabo wrote:i just installed 4 3 point seatbelts in my '60 this weekend.
no belts or mounting holes from the factory.

Sorry to revive an old thread, but the wife is worried about the kid...
Zabo, how did you anchor your shoulder belts in the back seat?

Some fire departments will help install and check out child's car seat installations for free, as a public service. I had it done in Charlottesville, VA. one time. The guys there had a neat trick: They used those kid's water "noodles", and cut them up to put under and behind the seat to adjust the proper position. It worked quite well.

Sorry to dig this thread up from the dead, but we are STILL looking at vert bugs. My child is almost 9, so no car seat issues to worry about. Did the super beetle have any more leg room (front or back) than the standard beetle?

Mr Blotto wrote:Sorry to dig this thread up from the dead, but we are STILL looking at vert bugs. My child is almost 9, so no car seat issues to worry about. Did the super beetle have any more leg room (front or back) than the standard beetle?

No more leg room (front or back) in a super vs. a standard.

Only a bigger trunk.

hambone wrote:Only a bigger trunk.

And windshield?

poptop tom wrote:

hambone wrote:Only a bigger trunk.

And windshield?

That's not so Super....