Third seat: two points

[john.mancini]

Upon reading a post in our "For Sale" section, there was a claim that the 3rd seat was an extremely rare option in Pagodas. I can't tell you how many of those kinder seats I've seen over the years, but IMHO it was actually a fairly common option. For those who have them in their cars now, I want to share some info regarding insurance coverage. I was told by two of our classic car insurers that under no circumstances should that kinder seat be occupied. Under todays laws, children must be in child safety seats that are properly restrained. Because these kinder seats face sideways, any restraint is deemed unsafe. Your insurance claim could be voided if that third seat is occupied at the time of the claim. More importantly, those kinder seats are very unsafe if you are involved in an accident.

[Garry]

I also noted with scepticism some numbers fitted by MB that may just be made up "Fake News” as you Americans call it.  We call it Porkies or pork pies.  In Australia it is also illegal to ride in that seat and it most definitely would not be covered by any insurance.

[Benz Dr.]

So, aside from looks the thing is pretty much useless.

[Bonnyboy]

I was going to put one in for my kids to ride in and my Canadian insurer told me the same thing as noted above - don't use it in Canada.

Now my kids want to drive my car -  cool.

[john.mancini]

Dan, I corrected my insurance carrier. "Collector Car", not "Classic Car" They were grateful! Yes, nowadays those third seats are as useless as........... (fill in the blank).

[doitwright]

Dan, I corrected my insurance carrier. "Collector Car", not "Classic Car" They were grateful! Yes, nowadays those third seats are as useless as........... (fill in the blank).

.....a snooze button on a smoke detector.

[john.mancini]

Now that's one I have not heard! Very good Frank.

[zak]

I presume the same restrictions apply to the California Coupe with the full across mini back seat.
My first 250 sl had that.

jz

[Shvegel]

Zak,
The california Coupe seating would probably be OK as long as you could properly fit a DOT approved child seat.  You would probably have trouble with the mount for the rear top strap.  The Kinder seat may be a seat but it isn't approved by any measure.  a 2 or 3 year old would be sitting sideways with their head in the same plane as the hard edge of the tonneau cover which to me looks more than slightly dangerous.