NSW Corvettes
General Discussion Area => Corvette Related Chat => Topic started by: 70vette on February 15, 2016, 03:59:38 PM
-
Hi Guys
Am considering, subject to legalities, converting my car back to left hand drive and am chasing some bits and pieces.
Never been really happy with the car as a right hooker eg: Cramped driving position, less than optimum steering geometry, no aircon!!!
So seeing as I'm pulling the engine out to freshen it up and redo the engine bay I thought why not!
This is what I'm chasing...any help would be appreciated.
1. Left hand drive dash & gauge pads. (1970 model)
2. Manual pedal box ( My one has been modified...the pedals that is). (1970 model)
3. Heater and air conditioning box. (1970 mode)l
Have been able to locate some of this stuff overseas but figured that I would try here first.
-
Not 100% on 70's but my 87 & 78 are RHD and they have original dash pads.
-
You could try Greg Morris he has done lots of conversions including mine , he may have some old parts for sale .phone number is 0417548377 good luck .Ray
-
Talk to Scott at CA&C (ad at bottom of screen)
-
converting back to LHD
there should be no problem .
I think just do it get a blue slip and away you go
Bfit
-
That's what I thought Bfit but when I rang the RTA/RMS a while ago, I was told that I couldn't convert a registered right hand drive vehicle back to left hand drive and have it registered to drive on a public road.
So I rang again a few months later and then they told me that it was ok :huh: Problem is that they couldn't show me were in the so called rule book that it would be ok.
Hate to spend all the time and effort to do this and then get told "sorry no can do"
The car will be easy enough to convert back as it hasn't been butchered in the conversion so it is nearly as good as bolting everything back in their original place.
-
you obviously need something in writing.
you could push the originality of the vehicle being of more value. availability of components .
as low number of converted vehicles leads to required component, may only be available second hand etc. when repairs are needed.
IE club rego and the real possibility of selling the car back into the US market at some future date
bfit
-
Just curious to know what steering setup you have for RHD?
-
The car at the moment runs a Toyota Cressida steering box with a Ford draglink and the corvette tie rod arms. Has a cross shaft for the brakes and clutch.
Have had the car like this since 1993 after bringing it in from the states. Had to convert it back then in order to drive it.
Car actually drives ok and performs fine, just think that the car could be better to drive and work on if it was in its original state, so seeing as the motor was coming out for a freshen up and clean up the engine bay I thought why not :wave:
-
Hi Guys
Never been really happy with the car as a right hooker eg: Cramped driving position, less than optimum steering geometry, no aircon!!!
So seeing as I'm pulling the engine out to freshen it up and redo the engine bay I thought why not!
I totally agree with that statement brother. Big job but hey ......
-
the car could be better to drive and work on if it was in its original state
Absolutely; GM would've invested millions in the design of the steering geometry; when you start messing with it chances are it'll get worse not better.
I think you're doing the right thing and although many said it would never happen; Americans are now buying back some of the US cars we imported; the quality of our restorations is well known over there too.
s
-
Hey, why wouldn't they buy them back. . yes the quality of some cars restored is phenomenal, and with the US dollar as it is, its cheap for them
-
Hey, why wouldn't they buy them back.
There's always a bit of a debate on Aus. forums when someone asks about converting to RHD. Most people advise to leave it LHD; they're fun to drive, etc. but one comment that always got a bit of ribbing was to keep them LHD in case the yanks want to buy them back. Many laughed saying it'll never happen; they won't spend that much extra to import them when they have so many cars to choose from over there, etc.
Well it's happening now.
s
-
Absolutely; GM would've invested millions in the design of the steering geometry; when you start messing with it chances are it'll get worse not better.
I think you're doing the right thing and although many said it would never happen; Americans are now buying back some of the US cars we imported; the quality of our restorations is well known over there too.
s
I don't know about Gm designing things .
they like most design to be adequate not perfect.
C3 `s have a lot of problems in the stock steering.
Bfit
-
I don't know about Gm designing things.
they like most design to be adequate not perfect.
C3 `s have a lot of problems in the stock steering.
Yeah, a lot of US muscle cars seemed to only be able to perform well in a straight line; the 'vettes were always a bit better I thought with the IRS and such.
If you're doing a redesign of the geometry, correcting bump steer, centre of gravity, centre of roll, etc. you may do a better job. If you're just swapping over to the other side, using components from other cars that are a close fit, this is where you can run into trouble, trying to clear components and such.
I agree about adequacy; trying to squeeze what you can out of the budget; you can only dedicate so much to design, with the manufacturing processes of the time, etc.
s
-
Yes I agree with that swapping close enough part to make it look and drive reasonable is no the answer.
I would rather standard C3 over modified to RHD.
I have to say MY81`s C3 goes well in the steering department
Bfit
-
Hey, why wouldn't they buy them back. . yes the quality of some cars restored is phenomenal, and with the US dollar as it is, its cheap for them
Michael, Reckon there import rules may be harder than ours ?
-
Michael, Reckon there import rules may be harder than ours ?
Their tariff laws definitely are; it's why our car industry went under.
s
-
There may be many others, but the only converted car that I'm aware of that went back to the USA is this one ... and it is still RHD:
http://www.streetmachine.com.au/news/1505/running-on-empty-dodge-daytona-up-for-auction/ (http://www.streetmachine.com.au/news/1505/running-on-empty-dodge-daytona-up-for-auction/)
-
Sent an email today to the RMS asking for guidance on the subject....wonder how long I have to wait for a reply? :huh: Ill keep you all posted
After going through Fleabay and seeing what some of them are asking for cars these days maybe its cheaper to buy a restored one here and take it back..their dollar being so much better than ours at the moment.
As for the quality of the work. I've seen some so called quality resprays that have come from over there. Scary stuff :nono:
-
There may be many others, but the only converted car that I'm aware of that went back to the USA is this one ... and it is still RHD:
There was this famous one a few years back.
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2012/01/09/australian-right-hand-drive-1963-z06-corvette-heading-back-home/ (http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2012/01/09/australian-right-hand-drive-1963-z06-corvette-heading-back-home/)
I've heard from importers on other forums that it's happening but only small scale at the moment; obviously it's the more sought after cars.
s
-
its odd
they will not let you import a modified car but you can buy one in and cut it up to make it RHD.
funny world we live in.
Bfit
-
As for the quality of the work. I've seen some so called quality resprays that have come from over there. Scary stuff
If those reality TV shows are to be believed they bondo them up and lay on the paint immediately after. In a few years all those restos will be seething with humidity bubbles.
s
-
If those reality TV shows are to be believed they bondo them up and lay on the paint immediately after. In a few years all those restos will be seething with humidity bubbles.
s
agree
-
I reckon they should do a "Where Are They Now" episode and show some of these cars in their current state...that would be an eye opener. Most of these cars would have bog, paint and rust falling out of them everywhere. :taunt: :yap:
-
I reckon they should do a "Where Are They Now" episode and show some of these cars in their current state...that would be an eye opener. Most of these cars would have bog, paint and rust falling out of them everywhere. :taunt: :yap:
Overhaulin' did. Many cars ended up being sold as the owners couldn't afford to insure their cars due to the increase in value, or realised the money is better used paying off their house. Most cars still looked fine.
-
Got a reply on Friday to my enquiry. I was surprised with speed of the response. :pepper:
Anyway the general feeling is that the RMS has no problem with the conversion due to the vehicle never being built as a RHD car, as long as all is right and the relevant procedures are followed.
The problem is depending how the Import Approval is worded,(IF IT SAYS MUST BE CONVERTED), this may create a bit of an issue. So into the archive boxes at home to go through 22 years of crap and paperwork so I can see how it is worded. Baring that I have to contact the Dept of Infrastructure etc etc, to get a copy of the approval.
Not out of the woods yet!!!! :grr:
-
The problem is depending how the Import Approval is worded,(IF IT SAYS MUST BE CONVERTED)
Would this even be on the approval? I would assume it's a requirement for registration once the car is imported; these days imported cars could be used in racing, etc. and not for street use.
s
-
Got a reply on Friday to my enquiry. I was surprised with speed of the response. :pepper:
Anyway the general feeling is that the RMS has no problem with the conversion due to the vehicle never being built as a RHD car, as long as all is right and the relevant procedures are followed.
The problem is depending how the Import Approval is worded,(IF IT SAYS MUST BE CONVERTED), this may create a bit of an issue. So into the archive boxes at home to go through 22 years of crap and paperwork so I can see how it is worded. Baring that I have to contact the Dept of Infrastructure etc etc, to get a copy of the approval.
Not out of the woods yet!!!! :grr:
I`m interested to know what you come up with .
I would have thought at that time you would just get approval to import. the fact of the RHD conversion would have been a product of each state registration process .
bfit
-
What you guys are saying is possibly correct but you have to not forget that these are Government depts and can make your life a misery if you don't follow the bouncing ball.
It was the suggestion of the Tech officer from the RMS to check the wording first. I for one did not even think about it until he mentioned it.
Better to be safe than sorry. Don't want to turn up with a converted car to be told "Sorry no can do" due their bureaucracy!
-
Better to be safe than sorry. Don't want to turn up with a converted car to be told "Sorry no can do" due their bureaucracy!
Absolutely; I don't think anyone is saying not to.
s
-
these are Government depts and can make your life a misery if you don't follow the bouncing ball.
You bet. I was talking to a very angry C4 owner a couple of years back at a Club event. Owing to a REVS paperwork balls-up by the converter he is not able to get that car registered in NSW until the 30 year old vehicle rule applies. Long story short, the VIN is currently "black-banned" by RMS. The converter has since gone bush.
-
There is a good number of C4`s wrecked for sale ?
bfit
-
They make good go carts
http://youtu.be/GD3y7ylpqO8 (http://youtu.be/GD3y7ylpqO8)
Lefty
-
Bob. Where did you see those wrecked C4's.
-
There is a guy in SA that has been advertising on eBay
And another in tasmaimia
Check eBay and gumtree
They come up reasonable regularly
-
I have now sent a email asking for a copy of my Import Approval for my car. Just so I know what the wording for the approval is. Don't know how long this is going to take :huh:
There is a guy in SA that has been advertising on eBay
And another in tasmaimia
Check eBay and gumtree
They come up reasonable regularly
I've seen those adds. Tried to call one of them still waiting for reply :banghead:
-
Just a follow up on the Import Approval.
Spoke to the Dept of infrastructure etc etc on Friday and was told that the Approval was not in my name but in the name of the guy who bought the vehicle in, (we shared a container for 2 cars and he went over and found them and shipped them), they will only send me a letter stating that the vehicle was imported under the current ruling at the time. The nice man on the phone told me that registration requirements are relative to the state. So as long as the vehicle complies with the RMS, then all is good and seeing that they don't have a problem with it, then it's all systems go for the conversion :banana: :pepper: :cheers:
-
mate you may be able to get a copy of the original import paper work of the RMS
when you register an imported vehicle, the previous registrations system required you to give them a copy of the import paper work.
They should still have a copy in their archives
Bfit
-
mate you may be able to get a copy of the original import paper work of the RMS
when you register an imported vehicle, the previous registrations system required you to give them a copy of the import paper work.
They should still have a copy in their archives
Bfit
Not sure I need it after I spoke to the nice man at the Dept of Infrastructure, seeing that registration was dependent on the RMS or a state issue.
I think when the tech guy from the RMS suggested that I look at the wording of it he was concerned whether the vehicle had entered the country as a spare parts car, etc etc.
Suppose it won't hurt to ask for it!!!
-
Suppose it won't hurt to ask for it!!!
As those of us who have dealt with RTA and DOTARS over the years will know, verbal assurances about imported vehicles can mean zilch. Oftentimes what you get told depends on who answers the phone at the time you call. I have been given polar opposite opinions by two people in the same office in DOTARS on different days.
Printed documents are king. My motto in such matters is: Get it in writing and on their letterhead.
-
As those of us who have dealt with RTA and DOTARS over the years will know, verbal assurances about imported vehicles can mean zilch. Oftentimes what you get told depends on who answers the phone at the time you call. I have been given polar opposite opinions by two people in the same office in DOTARS on different days.
Printed documents are king. My motto in such matters is: Get it in writing and on their letterhead.
What you say is correct but I do have an email with the guys name and where it was sent from so I am quite confident from that perspective!!
-
70 Vette, I had a dealing with the guys from Dept of Infrastructure and they got my import document out to me in a few weeks. Tho its in my name and not the original document from when the car was brought in..
At the end of the day, thats all the RMS wants to see if it is legitimate ... don't stress
-
The Dept of infrastructure has already stated to me that they will send me a letter stating what the conditions of the importation were at the time.
They just said that they could not give me the original Import Approval as it was not applied for in my name at the time and seeing the guy that I shared the container with, applied for the Import Approval for my car and his has now passed on, then that's the best I could hope for at this moment.
I have asked the RMS if they could supply me with a copy. No reply as yet.
After the email that I have from the RMS stating that they have no issue with the conversion, I'm confident that there won't be a problem.