lhd to rhd conversion anyone?

You may want to see if it is possible to get a special exemption and keep it LHD. Some of the parts you would need to change:

Dashboard
Pedal Box
Steering Rack
Wiring Harness

The parts and labour alone will come up near the price of the car and you will loose your shirt on this one. Price the job out first before starting and add at least 30% for unexpected expenses. Chances are you are better to sell the car and buy a RHD one.

 

Why have they decided that you need to convert it. According to the LTSA factsheet on importing LHD vehicles (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/12.html) it is exempt provided it meets all the following requirements.

So unless you've broken one of the above rules or can't provide the documentation, I can't see why you need to convert it.

 

Not forgetting windscreen wipers / linkage / bonnet etc etc

The term 'nightmare' seems appropriate

Sorry but the advice above seems spot-on unless you can get an exemption

 

Can you put it back in the hands of the seller and have him do the consignment properly this time?

 

Total disaster - the labor will cost more than the car is worth. Believe me.

 

I am converting a Mondial from LHD to RHD in Singapore. Labour cost is estimated at about US2,500. On top of that are parts of which the steering rack is the main thing (about GBP500 from the UK), wiring and triming. The dash can be converted (easier on the 308 than the Mondial) and the pedal box is relatively easy to move. Wipers are just a mechanical linkage and mounts (OK on the 308 the bonnet needs swaping).

None of the above are too difficult or too expensive, especially here in Singapore. Furthermore would your insurance company charge a higher premium for a LHD car in NZ?

If you need more info please contact me.

Clive
P.S. I am also converting (in Singapore) my TVR Griffith to LHD for use in the Philippines

 

...could probably make a carbon or GRP bonnet anyway.

 

On 308's and Mondial, the central chassis tube is not actually central, so although you can physically make it work if you convert it, it will never be correct. The gear lever position is the most obvious but there are SO MANY other things that will stink.

Factor in the depreciation of a converted car...ie a LHD converted to RHD will be worth less than it was as a LHD in a RHD country anyway....and you're WAY behind $ wise.

Either get the import sorted to allow LHD or sell it.

You'd actually be better off to break it for spares than to convert it.

 

Hi Darly

I got your email the other day and am researching the cars that have been converted here - no 308s that I know of yet. 2 TRs, a 512 TR and a Dino are it at present. It's a right royal pain that the LTSA has you on a technicality, as you know other LHD 308s have come in recently. As Callum explained, the car meets the requirements to come in except it was not imported by an individual. Have you considered writing to the LTSA head-honcho stating it was a genuine mistake etc?

Perhaps the temporary export is the way to go?

Regards
Andrew

 

The gear linkage is an easy fix and the offset centre tube is not so far out to make the car difficult to drive. What exactly are the other things that will "stink"?

Admittedly most of these cars are worth more if you break them up for spares but that's missing the point, Ducat doesn't want to break the car for spares, he wants to drive it. He probaly doesn't give a **** what it's worth after a conversion. Some people, me included, take the car for what it is, not what it is worth.

Here is my Griffith having an out-of-body experience:
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

has to be the best option since the conversion will cost more than the car value they currently have sold you a technical write off!

Izza

P.S. other cheap option is to reverse it all the way to the track

 

Yes, that is probably the cheapest option if the LTSA won't listen to reason, which unfortunately is usually the case. Before you resort to such drastic action I would suggest giving the LTSA one more try with the appropriate documentation from the company you bought it from. Though I doubt they will deviate from their usual bureaucratic stance

If that fails you could try informing them that if they do not allow you register it, then you will re-export it and import it under your own name just to make sure that they will allow it to be registered this time.

 

Sorry to be off topic, but do any of you fellow kiwi's have msn/aim? I would love to chat sometime!