doddel Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 Finally, after searching for over 10 years, I bought a TR3 yesterday. It's a 1961 former US car that has been used for rallies the past few years. Couldn't be more happy! Now, I'd like to take the kids (3 and 6y) with me, but this car doesn't have a rear bench. Can you fit a rear bench in every TR3? How about seat belts? Probably not obligatory, but I'd rather fit a set if possible Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rhino_mac Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 You can fit the bench seat but you need the post 60.000 version with the flat back floor. In terms of seatbelts for kids regardless of the age of car you need to fit approved belts even in the rear. No belts, no kids according my understanding of the law. And you will need appropriate child seats in the rear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doddel Posted October 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 what would be a good source to find such a bench? legislation in Belgium is different: we don't need seat belts in a pre 1968 car. But I kinda care about the safety of my kids, so I wanna install them regardless ;-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony_C Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 Well done doddle, enjoy! If it’s 1961 car then definitely must be post 60000 with flat back floor (might even be 3B?) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doddel Posted October 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 it's not a 3B might actually consider making a bench myself. Can't be too complicated, can it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roger murray-evans Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 Well done Doddel.Have fun! All TR3s can be fitted with a rear seat.The earlier ones have to be fitted over some floor mounted brackets, the later 'flat floor' cars (yours I presume) have a differing, probably simpler solution, but neither is beyond the wit of a TR man! A child aged 3 or over can travel in a back seat w/o a child car seat and without a seat belt if the vehicle doesn't have one! Much more relaxed legislation applies to children on motorcycles! Roger M-E Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doddel Posted October 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 VIN is TS73201L previous owner installed racing seats, but I have the original seats as well. Might have to mount these before working on the rear bench anyone has a drawing of the bench structure? I assume I can just cut a multiplex plate in the right shape as a starter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 The bench is a very simple rectangular piece of plywood surmounted with a horsehair stuffed cushion. The rear seat on pre 60 000 cars had a slight curve on them. I have recently fitted an aluminium firewall in front of the fuel tank and find that in spite if all my fiddling about that it prevents the rear seat from going as far back as it should - my seat is not fixed. - thus stopping the front seats from sliding all the way back. I mention this only if you may be thinking of (wisely) adding a firewall later, especially if you are going to carry your kids. james Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doddel Posted October 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 4 minutes ago, james christie said: The bench is a very simple rectangular piece of plywood surmounted with a horsehair stuffed cushion. The rear seat on pre 60 000 cars had a slight curve on them. I have recently fitted an aluminium firewall in front of the fuel tank and find that in spite if all my fiddling about that it prevents the rear seat from going as far back as it should - my seat is not fixed. - thus stopping the front seats from sliding all the way back. I mention this only if you may be thinking of (wisely) adding a firewall later, especially if you are going to carry your kids. james what type of aluminium insulation did you use for the firewall? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 I cannot remember the thickness of the aluminium sheet but it was thin enough to cut and shape fairly easily then pop riveted to aluminium angle iron which had been prefixed to the rear seat floor and the inner wings. A template was made first with cardboard. The top at both sides requires a lot of thought and patience. No insulation used but it was sealed to the car with a mastic that expands when heated. I hope somebody will come on here and give us the name. If you use the search facility on this forum you will find a lot of very good info from those that have already done this modification and probably better than me ! james Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted October 14, 2018 Report Share Posted October 14, 2018 (edited) Hi this is the type of thing. https://www.revingtontr.com/product/rtr7100/name/fire-wall-tr2-3a-sloping-flat-floor Couple mm is all that is needed thin enough to cut with tin snips if you want to make your own if you buy the part you still need to come up with the fitting points as described by James the ideal sealant is intumesant or something like heat-mate https://www.everbuild.co.uk/product/heat-mate-sealant/ A very worthwhile and on the road safety modification. H Edited October 14, 2018 by Hamish Sp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doddel Posted October 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2018 since this car has been used for races (e.g. Enstall Classic), it already might have this firewall. Will check this weekend Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RUBY131 Posted October 15, 2018 Report Share Posted October 15, 2018 When I bought my SA TR3a it had a padded bench in the back. Obviously home made but very simple . Just a section of mdf trimmed standing on two alloy legs and bracketed back to the body below the moulded dummy rear sear cushion. Pretty primitive but it obviously worked. If I can find it I will take an image. Cheers Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted October 15, 2018 Report Share Posted October 15, 2018 (edited) All 2/3’s can have a bench seat. It easier on a post 60K , but they were an option on sloping floor cars as well. The bolt head (with captive nut behind) on the vertical face of the rear floor on early cars is the support leg mounting point. One each side. Iain Edited October 15, 2018 by iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 (edited) You cant really fit one to a TR2 as the larger tank negates that with the rear cockpit board being further forward.Which is why the factory never fitted one until the TR3 came out at which point the tank lost a gallon and the back board gained the slight padding and pattern to enable it to be used as a back rest. Stuart. Edited October 16, 2018 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 I didn't think the "slight padding" came in till the 3A, but then, I could be wrong ! ob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony_C Posted October 24, 2018 Report Share Posted October 24, 2018 (edited) Doddel, did you already see the rear seat being offered? (Swap shop) Edited October 24, 2018 by Tony_C Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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