is it possible to convert to LHD?????
Discussion
i'm restoring a 400se and was thinking about converting it to LHD, within the last year i have sold 3 TVR's (2 cerbs and 1 chim) 2 of them went to germany and the interest from europe was huge on all of them. did TVR make any LHD wedges?
my main concern is what sort of problems am i going to come up against or is it a straight forward conversion?
1. where is the steering rack sourced from? if a shared part it would be easier to get a left hand rack.
2. will the steering column and uj's foul anything on the other side?
3. my interior is totally shot and needs a full refurb, was thinking about a race style interior with a digital stack display so could lose the gauges in the centre console but can i relocate the fuse's and relays to the drivers side?
any tips or advice would be most appreciated, this plan is not set in stone yet and i reserve the right to chicken out
my main concern is what sort of problems am i going to come up against or is it a straight forward conversion?
1. where is the steering rack sourced from? if a shared part it would be easier to get a left hand rack.
2. will the steering column and uj's foul anything on the other side?
3. my interior is totally shot and needs a full refurb, was thinking about a race style interior with a digital stack display so could lose the gauges in the centre console but can i relocate the fuse's and relays to the drivers side?
any tips or advice would be most appreciated, this plan is not set in stone yet and i reserve the right to chicken out
Wouldn't be impossible... but there are a few asymmetries in the Wedge bodyshell that you'd have to work round, like the pedal box, and the front crossmember stays that go up to the suspension towers.
I imagine a Ford Taunus steering rack would fit (there must be lots of those lying around Europe waiting to be plundered
) but not sure about a PAS version - and you'd have to put a ding in the crossmember to give the rack clearance.
The steering column would work just the same. You could get clever and make a mirror-image of the dash in GRP, or create a one-off (but if you do, can I have your old one?
) which would 'just' leave the electrics. The fuel injection harness could probably be swapped to the right-hand side easily enough though it may need extending (tedious, but not difficult). Fuses and relays, rather more chewy. The battery would probably have to swap sides, too...
I imagine a Ford Taunus steering rack would fit (there must be lots of those lying around Europe waiting to be plundered
) but not sure about a PAS version - and you'd have to put a ding in the crossmember to give the rack clearance.The steering column would work just the same. You could get clever and make a mirror-image of the dash in GRP, or create a one-off (but if you do, can I have your old one?
) which would 'just' leave the electrics. The fuel injection harness could probably be swapped to the right-hand side easily enough though it may need extending (tedious, but not difficult). Fuses and relays, rather more chewy. The battery would probably have to swap sides, too...To answer your question "did TVR make any LHD wedges?"...yes, all of the wedges that came to North America were LHD as were those that went to Europe.
The US wedges were all V6 models except for two V8 show cars. But in Canada, they sold V6 and V8 models through the end of wedge production.
The US wedges were all V6 models except for two V8 show cars. But in Canada, they sold V6 and V8 models through the end of wedge production.
al 350i said:
...2 of them went to germany and the interest from europe was huge on all of them. did TVR make any LHD wedges?...
...my interior is totally shot and needs a full refurb, was thinking about a race style interior with a digital stack display...
I would say it's going to be a ton of work. If you were doing it for yourself then great; if however you are doing it with the resale market in mind I would be concerned about the race syle interior - after all your effort and money you may find it isn't as sought after....my interior is totally shot and needs a full refurb, was thinking about a race style interior with a digital stack display...
Good luck - and be sure to post lots of photos if you do it!
Rob - left hand drive 350i FHC
Original Dutch LHD wedge here.
As mentioned before LHD was sold to the US, quite a few went to Germany and the exceptions to other European countries.
Seems that people from the continent looking for cars in the UK are not bothered by RHD (for example myself). As mentioned before, quite some work, can be done, don't think it helps on selling.... Think the wedge was designed with LHD & RHD in mind: The dash design looks able to be mirror imaged, steering (this is available from ford specialists), pedal box and therefore the brake and clutch master cylinder are located on the 'other side' as well.
Main reason we from the continent are buying TVRs in the UK is: availability (when you know all model TVRs you would like to buy and none is for sale....), and price! I you find a TVR you would like to buy they are very very expensive compared to the UK. Oops now you know the reason why Dutch buy a lot of TVRs in the UK.
Rob
As mentioned before LHD was sold to the US, quite a few went to Germany and the exceptions to other European countries.
Seems that people from the continent looking for cars in the UK are not bothered by RHD (for example myself). As mentioned before, quite some work, can be done, don't think it helps on selling.... Think the wedge was designed with LHD & RHD in mind: The dash design looks able to be mirror imaged, steering (this is available from ford specialists), pedal box and therefore the brake and clutch master cylinder are located on the 'other side' as well.
Main reason we from the continent are buying TVRs in the UK is: availability (when you know all model TVRs you would like to buy and none is for sale....), and price! I you find a TVR you would like to buy they are very very expensive compared to the UK. Oops now you know the reason why Dutch buy a lot of TVRs in the UK.
Rob
Why bother converting it? I own a RHD wedge that I drive in right hand traffic and it's no big deal at all. When I was in Scotland I was driving a LHD Alfa 155TS in left hand traffic. Both were opposite to "normal".
ImNsho if a person cannot drive a car sitting on the other side of the car, they should not possess a driver's licence AT ALL, moreover, such a useless driver should NOT have a wedge.
Please go sell the car to someone who can drive on either side of the car. (or road)
Just my two bits.....
ImNsho if a person cannot drive a car sitting on the other side of the car, they should not possess a driver's licence AT ALL, moreover, such a useless driver should NOT have a wedge.
Please go sell the car to someone who can drive on either side of the car. (or road)
Just my two bits.....
dinkel said:
Hi Rob.
See you at Spa6?
Of topic sorry.See you at Spa6?
Hello Albert,
When is this? Not this weekend perhaps.....
Probably cannot take the wedge for some time to come, still need to completely overhaul the back brake calipers that are completely shot. Nearly finished working on the house to be able to tackle this time consuming job on the wedge (it then needs MOT etc.....)
Rob
rev-erend said:
Year's ago - I saw a 450 SE (or maybe a 400 SE) for sale in a Kent TVR dealers..
It was LHD and also was Auto.
Now that was unusual.
Hi Rev It was LHD and also was Auto.
Now that was unusual.
I am sure it was 450SE & also had aircon fitted. I believe at the time the car had just been repatriated & its previous owner was a member of the Saudi Royal Family.
Bodders
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