3 car seat dilema

So i've searched everywhere on the web looking for answers. I currently have a 2008 Subaru Outback and a 1966 Mustang. My wife and I are planning on expanding our family from 4 to 5 this year and want a car that can fit 3 car seats.

MINIVAN!!! I will not go quietly into that goodnight!!!!

If we're selling the Mustang and the Subaru i want to get a 50's or early 60's station wagon!!! But which one? What wagons will fit 3 car seats across. At first we will need 2 forward facing and 1 rear facing, but that will then change to 1 booster, 1 rear facing, 1 forward facing after about a year. I figgure things get easier from there on out!

What 50's and 60's wagons have a third row? Which ones are wide enought for three car seats?

Thank you for the help!!!!!!!!

 

Ready for the Tin Can Roundup '61 Chevy with Camper ( 12)
Here is another new thread right here. Price seems a little high and it's on the opposite coast. Keep looking! See photo of our minivan below!
We owned a new 1965 Mustang fastback from 65 till 72 when additional kids caused us to sell it. Darned kids! Where do they come from?

 

I'm seeing that there were several cool 60's models that offered a rear facing back seat. That's kind of neat! Is that unsafe for children?

I see that the Chrysler New Yorker station wagon and Edsel both had 9 passenger station wagons!!! WOOT WOOT!!!

 

Your choices of wagon are virtually unlimited. Most of the big wagons from the 50s and 60s had a 3rd seat option. I would make a suggestion, though, and look a little bit newer, into the late 60s and early 70s. The reason for this is that by then, the cars had provision made for adding rear 3 point seatbelts, so adding modern universal fit belts is a nothing, and they are much better for keeping the little ones safe. There is one big advantage to the wagons with a front facing 3rd row seat. You have storage for stuff behind the third row. And with 3 little ones, you are going to need that. The big G.M. Clamshells have that. There is almost as much space behind the 3rd row in them as there is behind the second row in your Subaru. The middle row of seats is wide enough to handle 3 child seats across, too. Another big advantage to a car of that vintage is that the brakes and other safety systems are good for today's roads without major upgrades. Plus, the body integrity in a crash is significantly improved over cars from the 50s. It sounds like this is to be a daily driver, and that makes a difference. Mechanical parts are also very easy to get for the clamshells.

 

Thank you!!! What's a clambshell?

 

'72-'76 fullsize GM station wagon. They are called that because of the unique clamshell opening on the rear tailgate and glass.

You could even look at '77-'90 full size GM wagons (square bodies) and the '91-'96 which are even more updated. All are available with three rows of seats. '79-'91 fullsize Fords also had rear seats, but I think they faced the side rather than the rear.

 

So while i agree with the safety and convience of the 1972+ land yatch wagons i'm not crazy about the style. I don't want to lose the class and power of some of the 50's and 60's styles. The 72 Cutless wagon isnt' bad but nothing to droll after.

The late 60's Impala wagons seem roomy? Do you think that would fit some kidos?

 

Good that you are thinking of this now.....

First off, I know you want all your kidllets to be safe and secure, so if you pick a wagon older than about '63, you will either have to add your own belts, or check to see that the ones already there are safe. Adding belts to a vehicle that wasn't engineered from the beginning for them is iffy at best. Attachment points must be reinforce to put up with the crash stresses. For that reason, I would recommend buying a 'newer' old wagon, say from the late 60's at least. Also, do not ignore the belts themselves. Examine them for any evidence of deterioration or stretching. If any are damaged, you can get a good used replacement.

Second, whatever wagon you get, learn how to correctly install the child safety seats. Too many people put them in loose. Read the installation instructions for the seat carefully. AAA usually has some good information on this, and they even put on safety clinics on occasion.

Take the kid seats car shopping with you. See how easy / hard it is to remove / install the seats, etc.

Also take note: You do all the above, correctly, your kids still won't be as safe as they would be in a modern-day minivan or wagon.

 

I'm siding with Krash on this one -kids change the priorities in my opinion. Remember this comparison?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joMK1WZjP7g

If you're going to use it as your main transportation for the kids I would reconsider getting a car from the 50's, 60's etc. What about a mid-90's wagon?

As a father of 4, I drove my share of non-cool cars for a long time until they were off on their own. Now that my oldest is 27 and my baby is 20, I don't have to worry about carrying them and I buy what I want!

I'm not trying to rain on your parade or be a paranoid worrier, but so many of the drivers on the road are distracted, driving too fast, too aggressively, drunk, etc. An older wagon just doesn't have the brakes, safety gear, etc., that is required for a daily driver kid-transporter (not without spending big bucks!).

Is gas mileage a concern? if not go big - get a Suburban or Tahoe. Plenty of room for the kids and all their support gear.

Be safe!

 

Safety is a big concern of mine. But i was under the assumption that safety can be upgraded.

If i were to get a old wagon i plan on immediatley (if not already done) doing a 4 wheel disk brake conversion with duel well master cylinder and power booster.

Next would be replacing the suspension parts with coilovers.

Then rack and pinion steering.


Aside from these what are some upgrades that could be done for safety?

 

I would honestly be looking at a '94-'96 fullsize GM. You already have front discs, ABS, and airbags. There are some safety features that you just can't easily put onto an older car like door beams, crumple zones, etc. Have you ever seen an old crash test from the 60's or 70's. The seats aren't even structural and they still go flying around inside the car when it hits a barrier. Passenger compartment intrusion is also pretty common.

With a '94-'96 B-body you also have power windows, power locks, cruise, R-134a A/C, good power, good mileage, AM/FM, etc. and it can be relatively easily serviced anywhere still.

You also have to look at what kind of condition you want to keep the car in. Do you want to start with a nice car or a middle of the road car? I know what kids can do to a car. I'd constantly be stressed out about my kid destroying some one of none available anymore interior part. With a B-body you can still find good used parts. You won't be too concerned about scratches and dents which will happen.

All things to consider. I appreciate your desire to own an older car and I'm not saying you can't, but in my opinion for what you want to do you would be miles ahead if you start out with something a little newer. I think the B-bodies are rare enough on the road these days that they have their own cool factor.

 

All great advice. I believe most of us have been through the child raising and hauling years. And probably all have given up cool cars for safety and room. It's part of being a dad and being responsible.
You could just sell the kids and get an older wagon like I've got. But you'd miss out on a lot of great memories and excitement.
A late model wagon is still cool and very handy. A minivan or SUV gets the job done but everyone has those.
Yes, many of us grew up riding in the back of a station wagon or car without seatbelts. But this is no longer Mayberry and things have changed on the roads today.

 

That's about it. You can't add anti-lock brakes. You can't add airbags. You can't improve any impact protection. Your kids (and you) are particularly vulnerable in a side impact. I would agree with the consensus about the '91-'96 GM B-body. It's about the safest semi-classic wagon you can buy. Don't think it had any side airbags, though (could be wrong).

 

Airbags, ABS, etc. My wagon is a 1955 Chevy. My other cars even older. The most we ever even thought about were seat belts. We raised four kids and hauled many others without a problem. Only used a car seat for the last one when it was the law.
Yet, I agree with all the necessary safety crap because of the way people drive now. I suppose the best thing to do is leave the kids at home or buy a tank! Even then it may be a gamble.
I remember our kids riding in a Model T touring car and a Model A coupe rumbleseat and not realizing the possiblities of falling out or being hit by another car. Had many old cars and convertibles with no seatbelts or rollbars.
Sad, but true. The highways and even back roads are no longer safe. Maybe they never were! We recently returned from a 1000 mile roundtrip and I saw first hand many stupid drivers on roadways of all types. There is no such thing as being TOO careful or safe.

 

Anti-Lock Brakes

About anti-lock brakes. This may be true or not. At least what happened appears to have happened. Youngest son was driving a friends Lincoln approximately 15-20 MPH in heavy traffic. Hit the brake and the Lincoln slowed then kept moving forward hitting the rear of a Dodge truck.
Son said he used both feet and the brakes did not reapply after the pedal pulsated. He even put the lincoln into reverse but too late.
Totalled the lincoln yet the airbags did not release. Son called Ford garage and they told him it appears there was a computer malfunction.
Who knows?