RHD American cars from the 60's in the UK
Discussion
I had this. I think it was 7’3” wide. I enjoyed bumbling along in it but wouldn’t have another LHD unless it was a particularly special car. I consider myself a better than average vehicle steerer and pride myself on driving well and with courtesy. The thing is you are sat in the gutter and passing parked cars can be awkward. Vehicles approaching from the other direction also could be problematic. For context my current wagon is a Range Rover.
Gtxxjon said:
Hello Bozwell,
How is the conversion going?
I have had two of the UK RHD Barracuda's and regret selling them both!
i decided One '66 Barracuda wasn't enough so i got another one.How is the conversion going?
I have had two of the UK RHD Barracuda's and regret selling them both!
and yes it's getting converted to RHD.
and just to annoy the RHD haters it's a rare Formula S version.
better make things clear before the "the steering wheel looks offset" quotes start flying.
The steering column is symmetrical to where it was on the left side.
The engine, gearbox and transmission tunnel are offset to the right for the engine to clear the original steering box. The gear shift is actually dead center to the car so that shows how offset the transmission tunnel is.
I have centralized the engine as much as i can and mocking up the steering rack there is enough clearance and will work fine.
plus i am way ahead of you in terms of working out Ackerman, bump steer, geometry etc.
The steering column is symmetrical to where it was on the left side.
The engine, gearbox and transmission tunnel are offset to the right for the engine to clear the original steering box. The gear shift is actually dead center to the car so that shows how offset the transmission tunnel is.
I have centralized the engine as much as i can and mocking up the steering rack there is enough clearance and will work fine.
plus i am way ahead of you in terms of working out Ackerman, bump steer, geometry etc.
cheers.
i was actually going to leave the Blue Barracuda LHD till i got the Gold car done and sell the Blue one on after swapping bits around.
then i found this!
|https://thumbsnap.com/VaEbZrT7[/url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/vEJa8LeA[/url]
popped most of the spot 'welds' off with a screwdriver.
which was a disappointment as this is a photo from an American advert before the car came to the UK
i'm not the first UK owner but the first to see how bad it really was. it's a shame as the rest of the car is quite solid.
now the floors are fitted properly.
so as iv'e now decided to keep it, probably forever, i need to make it easier for an OAP to use
i was actually going to leave the Blue Barracuda LHD till i got the Gold car done and sell the Blue one on after swapping bits around.
then i found this!
|https://thumbsnap.com/VaEbZrT7[/url]|https://thumbsnap.com/vEJa8LeA[/url]popped most of the spot 'welds' off with a screwdriver.
which was a disappointment as this is a photo from an American advert before the car came to the UK
i'm not the first UK owner but the first to see how bad it really was. it's a shame as the rest of the car is quite solid.
now the floors are fitted properly.
so as iv'e now decided to keep it, probably forever, i need to make it easier for an OAP to use
Edited by Bozwell on Thursday 2nd June 22:20
Nice work Bozwell!
My first 69 RHD Cuda 'convert' was a 318 car and pretty slow lol.
So I fitted an ex Interceptor 383 and 727 trans in there!
The RHD steering box made the exhaust fitment an absolute nightmare!
It was a real spaghetti Junction affair and would never do that again lol...
I currently have two B-body Mopars a 69 Charger and a 71 GTX.
the engine compartment was highly altered in 71 for the 426ci hemi engines.
The same year the 426ci hemi was discontinued lol...
I would love to get an early Cuda as I've never had one!
My favourite is Bob Riggles lol...
My first 69 RHD Cuda 'convert' was a 318 car and pretty slow lol.
So I fitted an ex Interceptor 383 and 727 trans in there!
The RHD steering box made the exhaust fitment an absolute nightmare!
It was a real spaghetti Junction affair and would never do that again lol...
I currently have two B-body Mopars a 69 Charger and a 71 GTX.
the engine compartment was highly altered in 71 for the 426ci hemi engines.
The same year the 426ci hemi was discontinued lol...
I would love to get an early Cuda as I've never had one!
My favourite is Bob Riggles lol...
Folks don't realise the engine and trans are offset approx 2 inches to the right.
This gives the LHD driver a bigger cockpit area and the steering some extra room too!
As Chrysler were happy to make RHD cars in their Hamtramck plant, all parts are available.
But the floor pan and engine trans alignment stayed the same for the RHD cars...
If you fit a Big-Block and 727 like I did in mine, there is nowhere for the R/H exhaust to run DOH!
Good luck Bozwell and fifty years ago you could have started a viable UK conversion business lol...
Not for A-bodies but B-bodies as they never made one.
The Australians had a law back in the last century that they had to be converted to RHD!
Think its gone now?
This gives the LHD driver a bigger cockpit area and the steering some extra room too!
As Chrysler were happy to make RHD cars in their Hamtramck plant, all parts are available.
But the floor pan and engine trans alignment stayed the same for the RHD cars...
If you fit a Big-Block and 727 like I did in mine, there is nowhere for the R/H exhaust to run DOH!
Good luck Bozwell and fifty years ago you could have started a viable UK conversion business lol...
Not for A-bodies but B-bodies as they never made one.
The Australians had a law back in the last century that they had to be converted to RHD!
Think its gone now?
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