Thursday, April 14, 2016

Right Hand Drive Conversions After Import

By Henry Anderson


Many car collectors and enthusiasts often decide to purchase and import an American manufactured vehicle. Whilst it is not compulsory to perform right hand drive conversions, many owners will choose this option particularly in Great Britain and Australia. Obviously the process is not just a matter of moving the steering wheel and pedals and there are many things to be aware of when opting for this modification.

Two basic options present themselves to the new owner. Firstly a specialist company can be retained to perform all the works. Alternately an enthusiast with some knowledge of mechanics, and perhaps the help of a local car club, can purchase a kit and do the work themselves. The kits are widely available online and through automotive stores and cost a few thousand dollars. The prices depend on make, model and type of conversion required.

Handing your car over to the professionals is usually the way to go. The work will be covered by warranties and all paperwork to show the modifications pass the safety standards will be provided. Having this work done by a specialist will often be costly but the peace of mind that the work has been done properly and the expert attention is worth the expense.

The home engineer that decides to have a go themselves and buy the parts should consider many things before starting. Often these D. I. Y. Packages are quite basic and unsightly. Although they work perfectly well and pass all safety requirements they are not as aesthetically pleasing as the professional option but the knowledge that you did it yourself is most satisfying.

While your kit will contain all the parts you need, it might not have specialist tools to complete the job. Taking on a job like this in your garage at home is not a simple task. When you have completed the mechanical changes, there are still the inspections required for your country to be done. This will ensure your car meets all safety standards.

Whichever option you choose there are many things to consider. The conversion process can often be very complex and time consuming. Apart from moving the controls to the other side many other parts may have to be relocated such as heaters, wiring looms, headlights and so on. Also it is worth bearing in mind that if you intend to show your car it is advisable to check before modifying as many clubs will penalize the owner for not having an original vehicle.

Another factor to bear in mind is the cost of insurance premiums. They are often significantly higher for a car which has been modified. Warranties given by the company who performed the work may require you to have it maintained or regularly serviced by them. The price you can achieve at resale might also be less, so be sure to research these things before starting on the works.

If purchasing a car that has already been modified certain checks should be made. It is always advisable to take an expert along when you view the vehicle. Many motoring organizations or qualified mechanics will provide this service for a fee.




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