RHD American cars from the 60's in the UK

[300bhp/ton]

Bozwell said:

can't see the harm in converting a LHD to RHD personally

Faff, cost and it's usually a bodge.

For example the new Ford Mustang to make it RHD is requiring Ford to manufacturer a new exhaust manifold. That's a big investment. For an individual they'd come up with a bodge solution instead. And that's just one thing.

So many other things may need some R&D and won't get it. Many years ago some friends (ran a Land Rover 4x4 specialist place), were converting a classic Range Rover to a Chevy V8, so not LHD to RHD. But an engine usually found in LHD. Nobody had really done this before at the time. So many issues with the exhaust and steering. Relocating one bit then caused the PAS fluid to boil, etc etc.

Not saying it can't be done. But you are probably talking 8 or 9 out 10 that something will be doe horrid.

Then there's the interior. These are usually bodged even worse and result in a poor finish, lots of gaps and so on. Sometimes bespoke bits of trim might be made (if enough money is put into it), but what happens if you need to replace any of this?

[a8hex]

300bhp/ton said:

Faff, cost and it's usually a bodge.

Can't see Bozwell bodging it somehow. I expect it will be better than new.
The "Faff" might be the whole point of the exercise.

Hi Bozwell, you're back from France then?

[300bhp/ton]

Well if you need to cut up a dash or make new mouldings, then it not being a bodge will be very hard.

[roscobbc]

a8hex said:

Can't see Bozwell bodging it somehow. I expect it will be better than new.
The "Faff" might be the whole point of the exercise.

Hi Bozwell, you're back from France then?

Slightly off topic but bravo to Ford for intrducing a 'world' Mustang - people fail to realise in today's emerging economies the respective countries are often RHD. Keen pricing for Mustang - I can see many people choosing 4 bangers and effectively devaluing the product. Would I buy a new RHD - not with my money, only as a company vehicle - unfortunately that in itself is a problem as they are hardly emissions friendly!

[crofty1984]

threespires said:

Any other Yank cars would have been converted here in the UK.
Often the column would be cut in half. Move the upper end across to the right, add a couple of sprockets and a chain to link the two halves.

Say what now?????

[Bozwell]

RHD Plymouth Fury on ebay now

shame it looks so nasty



haven't been in France Ken ?



so by this thread every RHD converted car is and will be a bodge? cool. another good reason why I never post threads any of my projects on this forum

[Bozwell]

RHD Mustang conversions

[300bhp/ton]

Bozwell said:

so by this thread every RHD converted car is and will be a bodge? cool. another good reason why I never post threads any of my projects on this forum

All? No. Most? Highly likely.

The kit car world proves quality can be attained by individuals. But the kit car world also shows how so many things are bodged.

Converting a car to RHD that either never was available as such, or you can no longer get the factory parts for doing so, obviously comes with risk.

[rohrl]

crofty1984 said:

threespires said:

Any other Yank cars would have been converted here in the UK.
Often the column would be cut in half. Move the upper end across to the right, add a couple of sprockets and a chain to link the two halves.

Say what now?????

It's sadly true. Have a look at these photos of a RHD converted Corvette.

It looks quite well done at first...



...but what lurks behind the dashboard?

[roscobbc]

rohrl said:

It's sadly true. Have a look at these photos of a RHD converted Corvette.

It looks quite well done at first...



...but what lurks behind the dashboard?

Now that really IS a dodgy job. Quite apart from any health and safety issues - what about all those loose wires getting caught up! - 'Er indoors many years ago had a RHD Mustang 2 Ghia - similar concept but the chain arrangement was housed within a aluminium housing - it worked very well - brake master cylinder was in stock LHD location with a link bar from left to right operated by the new rhd brake pedals - just like the dual control on a learner car.

[threespires]

I forgot to mention that Ramblers were also made in RHD in the '60's

[4rephill]

rohrl said:

crofty1984 said:

threespires said:

Any other Yank cars would have been converted here in the UK.
Often the column would be cut in half. Move the upper end across to the right, add a couple of sprockets and a chain to link the two halves.

Say what now?????

It's sadly true. Have a look at these photos of a RHD converted Corvette.

It looks quite well done at first...



...but what lurks behind the dashboard?

Wow! - I thought this type of dodgy RHD conversion died out in the late 80's!

My query about converting a '66 Barracuda to RHD wasn't about the quality of the conversion, I just can't see the point of it.

Having owned a LHD '77 Trans Am in the past, I know that LHD in this type of car is not that much of a problem in the UK (the Trans Am was My daily driver at the time and not just a weekend toy so it had to deal with everyday situations such as going shopping, going to work and back and every other type of daily duty).

You very rarely do any overtaking, junctions aren't that much of a problem and you rarely encounter a situation where LHD is a hindrance.

With a car that is a "weekend toy" rather a daily driver, LHD is even more of a non-issue, so what's the point in going to all the effort and expense of making a '66 Barracuda RHD and making it non-original?

As others have said, it's the owners car and up to them what they do with it - It just seems like a waste of time to Me.

[Bozwell]

My Barracuda hasn't been used for 20+ years. converting it to RHD will just be a small part of what needs doing as well as fitting frame connectors to stiffen the shell up a little. bit of a faf but worth doing. I restore cars for a living so I don't find these things difficult.

the last recent LHD car I drove was '67 GT500 Shelby Mustang 4 speed. yes you can get a round in a LHD car but it is a bit of a hindrance around town. sitting in the passenger side it just felt right. also they did make a RHD '66 Barracuda but usually built and found in South Africa or Australia



but again why care if its original or not? iv'e probably bought one of the worst useable cars out there to restore. i'm fitting discs to the front and got a 8-3/4 LSD axle to bolt in (all proper A Body stuff) and will need to stiffen the suspension a fair bit. but as soon as mention RHD conversion

[a8hex]

Bozwell said:

Ken ?

Indeed, guilty as charged, still kicking around.

Bozwell said:

haven't been in France

France?
OK, your profile says that's where you are and that's what it had said the last time we chatted a couple of years back.
How's life mistreating you?

Bozwell said:

so by this thread every RHD converted car is and will be a bodge? cool. another good reason why I never post threads any of my projects on this forum

Pity, I'd love to see the details of your projects. The stories that have been posted here about cars you've worked on have always been very popular threads.

[Rostfritt]

rohrl said:

That really looks slack, it needs some sort of tensioner like you get on bikes converted to single speed otherwise that is going to fail at some point.

[sim16v]

Here you go, suitable for just about any car

[OvalOwl]

Rostfritt said:

rohrl said:

That really looks slack, it needs some sort of tensioner like you get on bikes converted to single speed otherwise that is going to fail at some point.

There's always going to be some slack due non concentric sprockets, but I'd put in an idler sprocket on an adjustable link and I'd want the chain in tubes over that kind of distance, if only to keep the wires out and the lube in.

[cahami]

would that chain conversion pass a current mot?. I would not ever feel comfortable driving that.

[300bhp/ton]

Bozwell said:

the last recent LHD car I drove was '67 GT500 Shelby Mustang 4 speed. yes you can get a round in a LHD car but it is a bit of a hindrance around town.

Sorry but that's utter rubbish. If driving LHD is a hindrance then you shouldn't be behind the wheel of any car, no matter what side you sit on.

I'm not saying you can't have preference, but apart from ticket booths and McDonalds drive-tru's LHD is no 'physical' hindrance at all.

It's not as if you see people converting McLaren F1's to RHD is it.

[300bhp/ton]

cahami said:

would that chain conversion pass a current mot?. I would not ever feel comfortable driving that.

MoT probably yes, as there isn't anything to check unless the steering was overly sloppy.

Construction & Use regs however or IVA/SVA, then that's probably a different story.