Right Hand Drive Conversion

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Bob Campbell
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Right Hand Drive Conversion

#1 Post by Bob Campbell »

I have a question! I need to switch a C Cab to Right Hand Drive. I have absolutely NO experience with such a conversion.

Any info, experience, kits available or hints would be welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Bob Campbell
Santa Clarita, CA
661-251-3500
Bob Campbell
1956 Porsche Special
1962 S-90 Karmann Hardtop Elec. Sunroof
1964 SC Coupe
1965 C Cabriolet




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John Brooks
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#2 Post by John Brooks »

Bob

It's almost a job... Call Tim Herman at Carrera motor sports I think he has done one before. I did see a couple pieces required NOS green metal on line not too long ago.
I think rusty tubs has the pedal area green metal.
John
Last edited by John Brooks on Thu Aug 25, 2016 12:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
John Brooks

62 Roadster
66 912
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steven mclean
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#3 Post by steven mclean »

Colin Thorpe rhd pedals,the356.com,New Zealand.

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John Hearn
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#4 Post by John Hearn »

Bob

Try PRS in England, they have right hand drive Pitman arms, the most difficult part of the conversion.

KTF
John

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Ben Wainscott
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#5 Post by Ben Wainscott »

Bob,
I believe John Willhoit was doing a conversion on one that I saw during his open house at the last LA Lit show. Believe Andy Elsner fabricated the dash.

Ben
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David Nicholls
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#6 Post by David Nicholls »

Hello Bob

For starters,
You'll need a RHD Pitman Arm. A bloke in Melbourne had some made recently, not sure if he has any left.
Order a RHD Wiring Harness, so that the wires are long enough.
Longer Speedo Cable comes from a VW Karmann Ghia.
Fuse Box is "inside" under the glove box.
Stoddards have just released RHD floor mats, just for you.
RHD has different Headlight Lens.

RHD Cs had a special fuel tank. Not a "GT" or an "80 Litre", it was special so that the steering column would go underneath. Fuel Fill Flapper was in the guard.

I'm disassembling an original RHD '64 SC at the moment.
Regards
David
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RHD Dash
Body panel under the Tank
Body panel under the Tank
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Charlie White
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#7 Post by Charlie White »

Wow.....interesting topic!!

Charlie White
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Bob Campbell
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#8 Post by Bob Campbell »

Thank you all for your input and suggestions regarding this conversion.

After contacting and speaking with the people mentioned here and others, I have come up with my preferred solution: I AM NOT DOING IT!!! This car has fresh paint already on it and I cannot bring myself to take it apart and cut it up.

I am shipping it off to New Zealand in USA configuration and the new owner can then consider his options.

Thanks again guys,

Bob
Bob Campbell
1956 Porsche Special
1962 S-90 Karmann Hardtop Elec. Sunroof
1964 SC Coupe
1965 C Cabriolet




It's either this or a real job.
http://www.356Services.com

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#9 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Good decision!

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Ron LaDow
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#10 Post by Ron LaDow »

Bob, agreed with Vic.
You would *never* get paid what it costs to do that job right.
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz

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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#11 Post by Ivan Fuller »

Sounds like decision is made which I think is sensible - You can register/use a car of this age LHD in NZ. The Aussies are a bit more in tune with this as I believe their LHD rules are far stricter than NZ.

A few want to convert and we are currently doing a '59 for a customer as part of the restoration - it will be done exactly as per factory inc original dash which are not just a cut and paste - (raised lips around gauges been discussed elsewhere).

As per Davids comments a C is MUCH more of a challenge to convert. The factory retained the "A" tank at least into T6 production - fuel filler is welded up in the fender. (we have a factory RHD in the shop also). By 64 a special tank.

The LHD tank does not have allowance for the steering shaft. Some fixes I've heard of include putting a tube through the tank or just cutting out a section - um lots of stops at the gas station. Just moving the wheel usually entails this sort of bodge, extending existing harness, not using rhd pitman arm - must have very unusual steering/handling as soon as wheel is moved toe will change etc etc.

A "proper" conversion would entail new rhd tank (impossible?), panel under the tank, transferring chassis number to new panel, dash, wiring harness, pitman arm, handbrake transfer, rhd pedal/kit and pitmann arm, fuse box relocation. Not for the faint hearted!
'58 Speedster
'65 911
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Mike Smith
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#12 Post by Mike Smith »

A "proper" conversion would entail new rhd tank (impossible?), panel under the tank, transferring chassis number to new panel, dash, wiring harness, pitman arm, handbrake transfer, rhd pedal/kit and pitmann arm, fuse box relocation. Not for the faint hearted!

PRS `CURRENTLY` have

Original RHD Pitman Arms also `Proper` Repro`s
RHD Pedal Assemblies
RHD Handbrake Parts
2 x RHD Tanks
1 x NOS RHD Dash
Mike Smith (Essex - UK)

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Mervyn Hyde
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#13 Post by Mervyn Hyde »

A majority of RHD 356s in Australia seem to be conversions so someone must be doing it here. Personally (my 356 in an original RHD) I wouldn't bother as it only de-values the car on an international market. 911's here in original RHD are most valuable, followed by LHD and then a distant 3rd are the conversions. They are not well regarded.
Merv
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Ivan Fuller
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#14 Post by Ivan Fuller »

Havent done a 911 conversion but restos of RHD & LHD. There are quite a few unique sheetmetal bits in there that would be a fun to do "properly"
Years ago I imported a 928S4 from Japan to NZ. Had to be converted. I was told it was impossible to do! Well not impossible but a LOT of work! Required donor cars from NZ & UK - Complete wiring harness, Motor out, Complete bulkhead/firewall relacement, dash, air conditioning/ventilation, wiper assembly, steering rack, dashboard, pedals. - much more than a 356 :)
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Dinesh Rodrigo
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Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion

#15 Post by Dinesh Rodrigo »

Hi gents,

Following on from this I'm currently restoring a basket case '56 T1 356A shell in Melbourne and part of the
restoration is a conversion to RHD, quite a few pics of the build on Instagram -> @the_sinner356

I will most likely source a new RHD hardness from Kroon in the UK, and am assuming
the fuse box and wiring cover will need to be relocated to the left hand
side behind the glovebox?

Below being the standard location for a LHD (not my car):
Image

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