Hi Has anyone had any experience of converting a Ghibli Mk1 to RHD or vice versa? If so apart from the interior dash and trim what are the main mechanical hurdles? Is such a conversion likely to have a detrimental impact on the cars provenance? I ask because I have bought a LHD car which I intend to use in the UK (RHD cars are a significant premium and beyond my price level). Any thoughts, opinions or insights appreciated.
Just an observation not insight as such, many of Australia's Ghibli population started off as LHD cars and were converted in the seventies when it was virtually impossible to drive a LHD car in this country. At least 2 of the Melbourne cars are RHD conversions. My car is LHD but I will keep it that way- cost and originality are my reasons and I can drive it here with no real issues these days Julian
Keep the car original - it will make no difference to your enjoyment of the car and will simply devalue it. Where's yours being restored? I get the feeling our Ghiblis are within touching distance of each other! Here's mine a few weeks ago, in the middle of the build up stage - I'm aiming for completion in spring next year, once I've sold a kidney to pay for the engine rebuild! Doug Image Unavailable, Please Login
Its in Farnham. Hoping for MOT today and with any luck on the road in 2 weeks. Like the colour of yours. Mine has had full engine rebuild which cost around £25k but that was agreed as part of the deal I agreed. Whats the background on your car, it a UK RHD?
Dougieboxer. I would be interested to get an idea of your engine rebuild cost. I am currently rebuilding my Bora 4.7 engine and i think i may have to dispense with 2 kidneys. My estimation now is around $A35k Greg
Mine's one of the few original RHD SS's and was the 1970 London Motor show car. It was stored in a lock up in East London since 1977! after a minor front end prang with a police car (that's a great story in itself!) and the owner left to work abroad, so it was left in suspended animation for over 30 years until I got hold of it. Luckily it was in a very good storage environment and the body was still in excellent shape, so once the front end was repaired it was a relatively straightforward job (if there is such a term in Maserati restorations!) It's currently down near Bournemouth on the South Coast, but I'm actually based about 15 mins from Farnham so we should meet up sometime and compare empty wallets!!
Thanks! I got as close to the original Rame metallic as possible, and it looks spectacular in direct sunlight - can't wait to see it with all the shiny chrome work back on the car!
I've loosely budgeted about £20k, so it looks like we're all in the same ball park. Mine's being done at Jim Stokes' workshop who have a fantastic reputation in the U.K - in fact it's on the engine assembly line with a Bora engine - it's not yours is it?! If you need more specific parts costs just PM me and I'll check. Regards, Doug
My Mistral was originally Rame Metallizzato with Senape leather, but is currently black on black. I might repaint it in the not too distant future but have not been excited about the copper colour......until now. It looks fantastic, but perhaps it is more suited to the Ghibli's lines? What colour is your interior? I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures as the reassembly continues. (sorry hiltsuk, I don't mean to hijack)
