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Classic VW Beetle and babys....?

Help! I'm an owner of a 1969 VW beetle in uk and i'm pregnant. I absolutely love my car and really don't want to sell it, unfortuantly i cannot afford to buy a 2nd car. My question is, what is the safest way to transport my baby in my car once she is born? Obviously i know i'll be using a baby car seat, but is it ok to use one in the front passenger seat? As i only have 2 lap belts in the back... Is there any classic VW owners who are also mothers of young babys who could give me advice?? Thank u!!

Public Comments

1. I loved my Type 1s, but they are not exactly the most baby friendly cars. It's going to be a hassle to get the infant seat in the back. When you do, you are placing your baby right on top of or next to the battery. I've had a battery explode. It wasn't pretty. In this case, a front seat placement may actually be safer. Then there's the issue of heat exchangers. If your heat box is comprimised you could be dumping poisonous carbon monoxide in right below your baby. Then there is crash safety. They aren't exactly the most surviveable cars in a crash. Do make certain you always have him or her buckled into the car seat and the car seat is secure.
2. The front lap belt is not very secure in the old beetle. I would add an additional belt if you are going to set the baby in the front. It would not be much of an exercise to do this. You could add the belt right where the other belt is and put it on top. In the states some babies aren't allowed in the front seat.
3. You can put the baby in the front. The reason the do not want you to put them in the front of modern cars is the airbag going off can break the rear facing car seat and that is not pretty. The safest place on any car is the back middle seat.
4. You can put the carseat in the tow truck in the front of your bug.