997 LHD to RHD Conversion

[mjharrisonnz]

Hi all,

With some of the big prices being paid for RHD 997 GT models what would be the rough cost and parts required to convert a LHD 997 to RHD??

I would assume that all major parts are shared between RHD and LHD and just the dashboard would need to be replaced. The big question is the mechanical requirements around steering, brakes etc.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Cheers

[EJH]

I'm pretty sure this wouldn't be economically viable.

A lot of the price rises in older Porsches (and I assume GT3s) has been driven by the LHD market where the cars are comparatively more expensive. As such, one would be spending more money on the car, money to convert the car and the car would ultimately be worth less than a LHD or a RHD as LHD-RHD conversions don't inspire much confidence in the SH market (aside from, perhaps B&C conversions of 1980s Alfa Romeos that are ~cost neutral).

[Geneve]

One of the best ways to devalue a car.

[MRPULLHARD]

please don't do it ! lunacy !

[thegoose]

To do a market-acceptable job you'd really need to use all new parts, which may include the fuel tank (RHD one is smaller due to packaging constraints) so I I'd guess somewhere around £20k (maybe nearer £10k with used parts).

[Adam B]

mjharrisonnz said:

Hi all,

With some of the big prices being paid for RHD 997 GT models what would be the rough cost and parts required to convert a LHD 997 to RHD??

as a rough guide about twice the difference between LHD and RHD, before you factor in depreciation which would be terible because no one will buy the conversion

[996TT02]

mjharrisonnz said:

Hi all,

With some of the big prices being paid for RHD 997 GT models what would be the rough cost and parts required to convert a LHD 997 to RHD??

I would assume that all major parts are shared between RHD and LHD and just the dashboard would need to be replaced. The big question is the mechanical requirements around steering, brakes etc.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Cheers

The best way to convert it would be to sell it on the continent, buy an RHD one in the UK and pocket the difference, methinks.

I assume that your LHD one would be coming from the US?

[mjharrisonnz]

Thanks for the feedback and comments. I was thinking of this in the context of a RS 4.0 that seems to cost around 200 pounds in LHD and 350 pounds in RHD . If the idea was just to buy one and keep it as a collector car with no plans to sell then the cost would probably justify itself. It really comes down to what needs to be replaced. Obviously all new parts would be used.

[IREvans]

mjharrisonnz said:

Hi all,

With some of the big prices being paid for RHD 997 GT models what would be the rough cost and parts required to convert a LHD 997 to RHD??

I would assume that all major parts are shared between RHD and LHD and just the dashboard would need to be replaced. The big question is the mechanical requirements around steering, brakes etc.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Cheers

It'll cost you at least £20k, probably nearer £30k, and make the car very difficult to sell when you chose to get rid of it. Genuine LHD and RHD have a liquid market...the same doesn't apply to a conversion. The parts list beyond visible interior trim which you need to change is vast....fuel tank, steering rack, wiring components, lights, mirrors......the list goes on.

Why don't you just leave it as LHD car..? I have LHD cars that I use in UK, and there are few disadvantages. Overtaking on A roads where visibility is average can be awkward, grabbing a car park ticket when you're on your own means reaching over. but otherwise its fine.

Trust me, don't even consider doing a conversion.....you'll regret it.

[thegreenhell]

In that case would it not make more sense to buy a RHD RS 3.8 and have it uprated to 4.0 spec? It would surely cost a lot less to do initially, and would probably be more saleable later on than a buggered-about-with 4.0

[hornbaek]

The price differences between of LHD/RHD will eventually even out. The market will always be right at the end and historically there have never been RHD cars that have commanded a premium over LHD cars. - rather the opposite. So i would "short" RHD 4.0 and go "long" on LHD 4.0 and pocket the difference whilst it lasts.

[majordad]

As a Gen 2 3.8 RS owner I condidered this but as pointed out above by wise sane men, you would be quite mad to do it.

[jredram]

Why not just drive the LHD in the UK? I do it on a daily basis and after 2 days it seems like you have been doing it for ever.

[Adam B]

mjharrisonnz said:

Thanks for the feedback and comments. I was thinking of this in the context of a RS 4.0 that seems to cost around 200 pounds in LHD and 350 pounds in RHD .

wow, thats a crazy differential

[MRPULLHARD]

is it illegal to drive lhd car as in oz ?

[anonymous-user]

MRPULLHARD said:

is it illegal to drive lhd car as in oz ?

No. But insurance sometimes loaded.

[mjharrisonnz]

MRPULLHARD said:

is it illegal to drive lhd car as in oz ?

LHD can be registered in NZ only if that car was never made in RHD. If it was made in RHD it's basically a "no go"