Chimeras and kids...
Chimeras and kids...
Author
Discussion

Bassfiend

Original Poster:

5,530 posts

273 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
OK ... here's something I *HADN'T* thought about.

We're in the middle of hunting out a Chimp and I'm hoping that it's something that I and my stepson who's 7 can enjoy together. (Bit of male bonding and all that as we do tend to rub each other up the wrong way.)

Anyway ... what I was wondering is if anyone knows of a way to disable the twist knob on the centre console as he's liable to "fiddle" with anything that falls to hand whilst he's looking at what's going on outside the car. I'm a bit worried that he may end up accidentally (or even on purpose) twisting the door release and opening his or my doors at speed.

Anyone any suggestions? I was wondering about something that takes a tap off the speed sense and if the car is moving interrups the console knob ... I have a mate who just built a launch control system from scratch for a Skyline so maybe this kind of thing would be easy for him.

Phil

bobski

1,589 posts

287 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
I took my seven-year old niece on a 200 mile trip in the Chimaera - at that age they should understand - if not - you'll have to cover it and threaten to tear up their Harry Potter books.

Bassfiend

Original Poster:

5,530 posts

273 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
LOL - Yup ... at seven they *SHOULD* understand but this is my stepson who's sole and dedicated purpose in life is to make every moment we're together as much of a journey into hell as possible for attempting to get between him and his mum!

Not sure whether to view the purchase of a chimp as a concerted effort on my part to so some serious macho bonding with him or just a way to get away from him really quickly when it all gets too much.

Phil

shpub

8,507 posts

295 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
Cable tie around the wrists.

snorky

2,322 posts

274 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
stick him in the boot - he'll be able to fully appreciate the exhaust note from there

AllTorque

2,646 posts

292 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
shpub said:
Cable tie around the wrists.


Yup, that would sure be the TVR way of doing it....

Bassfiend

Original Poster:

5,530 posts

273 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
LMFAO - Good thinking on both suggestions!!!

Mind you he's not *THAT* bad I guess ... on our first trip down to Fernies we had tears when he saw that the car daddy wanted only had two seats...

"Where am I going to sit?" he sobbed...

Then he came running back in a couple of minutes later going "Can we have the yellow one? - It has four seats!" pointing at a bright yellow Cerbie ... at that point I knew there were times my influence has rubbed off on the kid!

Phil

bobski

1,589 posts

287 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
My niece loves "sleeping" in the boot - finds it comfy . . .

The worst things kids do is flick the central locking button - they blow it! DOH!

shadowninja

79,317 posts

305 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
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I find the knob on the central column disables itself anyway

Incorrigible

13,668 posts

284 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
How tall is he ??

You should be able to fit him on the parcel shelf with his legs behind the passenger seat

the dodger

2,376 posts

286 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
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Misread this - thought it said CAMERAS and kids.

Won't the c/l button dissable the knob? Mine doesn't work so I don't know.

JonRB

79,335 posts

295 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
the dodger said:
Won't the c/l button dissable the knob? Mine doesn't work so I don't know.
The button only disables the buttons under the wing mirrors to stop people getting in. Turning the knob unlocks the C/L and opens the door.

Bassfiend said:
I'm a bit worried that he may end up accidentally (or even on purpose) twisting the door release and opening his or my doors at speed.

Obviously I can't speak for your lad, but for mine a lecture on what the knob did and the dangers of opening the door whilst the car is moving did the trick. That and the threat of dire retribution if he disobeyed.

(Actually my step-son is a very good boy and I didn't feel it necessary to threaten dire retribution. Your mileage may vary. )

rat

178 posts

284 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
quotequote all
In any other car he'd have a door handle all of his own to play with and it would be out of your reach. I understand what you mean about the attraction of it though.

Wiring in a manual switch just for the passenger side for the times he's in the car would be much easier than a speed-sensitive gizmo on both doors. Routing wouldn't be too difficult either with centre console cover removed. Put a push-button toggle switch under the drivers dash, or replace the function of the one that switches off the dash lights?

gemini

11,352 posts

287 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2003
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How about connecting it to an ejector seat

Bassfiend

Original Poster:

5,530 posts

273 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
quotequote all
Incorrigible : He's already been trying to convince us that he really *COULD* come with us by going on the "bench" behind the seats ... doesn't seem to understand that it's illegal and could get daddy in trouble with the police. (Or maybe he does and that's what he wants?)

JonRB : My stepson is usually OK when he's just with me ... it's when he can play me and his mum off against each other that he turns into a complete git!

rat : True - but the door handle he usually gets is the back door of either my Volvo or my wife's Peugeot which are both child locked and hence only opens from the outside.

gemini : Best idea so far and obviously police approved too!

Phil

danielson

407 posts

272 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
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if a "chat" with him doesnt work couldnt you cover it with something when he is in the car, like an upside box with a bit of weight to it? that way if his devil fingers get near to it at least you have a second or two to stop him..
you could even spray it aluminium and emboss TVR on it and flog it to Leven for loads of money :-)

Bassfiend

Original Poster:

5,530 posts

273 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
quotequote all
Or better still just not take him out in it!

Phil

JonRB

79,335 posts

295 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
quotequote all
Bassfiend said:
Or better still just not take him out in it!
Well, yes. You could of course tell him that if he turns that knob whilst the car is moving he will never ride in the TVR again.

dannyboyo

2,392 posts

302 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
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So are you not tempted with a Cerbie??

I think it's illegal to put your kid (or anyone else) on the parcel shelf!

Maybe masking tape over the "knob hole" would do the trick otherwise.

Tiggsy

10,261 posts

275 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
quotequote all
phil,

my 2 year old doesnt fiddle with the knob! sort your kid out not the car!

Tiggs