LHD Conversion on used imports from UK

[Falcouver]

Hello Everyone,

 

For people that can't order a new Caterham, the used market in North America is very small. As you may imagine, UK offers the most options at better prices for used, however almost all units are RHD.

 

I realize some people in NA want RHD for a unique experience, but for those of us sticking to LHD for local traffic (as some states may not even allow RHD), is there a specialist that can do the conversion here? Not sure how common are these LHD conversions on this forum. Assuming more common on mainland Europe.

 

Im reading various levels of complexity for LHD conversion with some downplaying and calling it as simple as swapping the steering wheel and pedals, and some say you may as well buy a LHD frame and refresh the whole thing while at it.

 

With that being said, can you share your experience on the below: 

1) Is it advised to do the LHD conversion in Britain/Mainland EUR before importing? Probably more specialist shops there.

2) I understand Caterham frames are almost modular, meaning specific sections can be replaced without changing the whole frame. Are we able to just strip the front section and change the frame to LHD from cockpit forward? And re-build only the front section?

 

And my big question:

3) Considering the import rules allow bringing in the cars easily for 25+ years for America and 15+ years for Canada, we may as well look for a discontinued model and take the opportunity to refresh an old model we like with new parts.

- If we change the whole RHD frame to LHD, would the VIN transfer to the new frame? How does the registration work for many old cars rebuilding the whole frame? This would involve rebuilding the car as in kit form but with new LHD chassis.

Curious to know what defines a car 25+ or 15+ year old if we take the opportunity to refresh most of the parts while in UK before importation?

 

Thanks for your time in sharing your knowledge,

 

[Vovchandr]

The cost of the swap is prohibitive. Theres not enough meat on the bone to do a conversion on a car after parts and labor. Swap isn't exactly direct and will require a number of man hours. 

 

If it's for a personal vehicle and somebody has all the parts or the car is discounted next to nothing after a crash or something. Then perhaps. Otherwise it's just easier and cheaper to find a unit in right configuration especially considering "wrong side drive" is a smaller deterrent on such a small car than a full size vehicle. 

 

If these were six figures cars that maybe there would be something to this but alas they aren't. 

 

Good luck with your mission. 

 

Most unique thread of year for sure so far. 

[Christopher smith]

Probably best to adapt driving experience in N. America instead of parts. You will get some funny looks of course. We had a 1949 MGTC with RHD, no problem driving but that was a long time ago and, granted, it was laid up waiting for parts most of the time. The 7 series 1 is a joy to drive with RHD, again, not driving that much. I think the RHD driving position has you almost as close to the left side as a driver in many of the monster SUVs you see wallowing around. Never tried it with a top up or in the rain of course, but a wink mirror on the front of the cage works for me.

[mrmustang]

13 hours ago, Falcouver said:

Hello Everyone,

 

For people that can't order a new Caterham, the used market in North America is very small. As you may imagine, UK offers the most options at better prices for used, however almost all units are RHD.

 

I realize some people in NA want RHD for a unique experience, but for those of us sticking to LHD for local traffic (as some states may not even allow RHD), is there a specialist that can do the conversion here? Not sure how common are these LHD conversions on this forum. Assuming more common on mainland Europe.

 

Im reading various levels of complexity for LHD conversion with some downplaying and calling it as simple as swapping the steering wheel and pedals, and some say you may as well buy a LHD frame and refresh the whole thing while at it.

 

With that being said, can you share your experience on the below: 

1) Is it advised to do the LHD conversion in Britain/Mainland EUR before importing? Probably more specialist shops there.

2) I understand Caterham frames are almost modular, meaning specific sections can be replaced without changing the whole frame. Are we able to just strip the front section and change the frame to LHD from cockpit forward? And re-build only the front section?

 

And my big question:

3) Considering the import rules allow bringing in the cars easily for 25+ years for America and 15+ years for Canada, we may as well look for a discontinued model and take the opportunity to refresh an old model we like with new parts.

- If we change the whole RHD frame to LHD, would the VIN transfer to the new frame? How does the registration work for many old cars rebuilding the whole frame? This would involve rebuilding the car as in kit form but with new LHD chassis.

Curious to know what defines a car 25+ or 15+ year old if we take the opportunity to refresh most of the parts while in UK before importation?

 

Thanks for your time in sharing your knowledge,

 

It's less expensive to purchase a LHD car then to convert over from RHD, especially a Caterham unless you already have a LHD chassis with title laying around and want to use the RHD as a parts car.

If you purchase a new chassis, it will have a new VIN/MSO  associated with it. To swap a VIN from one chassis to another is illegal in the US, I suspect in Canada and it's assorted territories as well.

The chassis VIN and associated paperwork is what defines the age of a chassis, since this is what defines the manufacturing date, then that is what will define your 25+/15+ age question. Or more bluntly, it is the year the chassis itself was produced, with documentation of course.

 

As for driving RHD in the states, two of my Caterham 7's were RHD, including my current 2003, which has been here in the states since 2005, it had been awhile since I had a RHD, but only took me about 10 minutes to get used to driving it again.

 

 

 

Bill

[MoBoost]

I cannot find any states that do not allow RHD cars. 
Been driving my Seven for many years now and it’s not an issue.

[richardjbondy]

I owned a  1959 Jaguar XK150 S 3.8 RHD and a 1964 Jaguar MK2 RHD in Michigan. Driving them was always a blast, never any issues. Beware that the market for RHD vehicles is very limited. A RHD is hard to sell in North America, there is a very limited market and it will sell for less than a LHD.

[pethier]

I still need more road-time to get more-used to shifting with my left hand, but otherwise I have no real problems with RHD in the USA.  

[Christopher smith]

I really enjoyed driving in the UK shifting with my left hand. For one thing people who use the roundabouts actually no who has the right of way and respect it. That is not what we encounter when we drive in New Jersey where nobody seems to know who has the right of way

[Croc]

9 hours ago, Christopher smith said:

 ...when we drive in New Jersey where nobody seems to know who has the right of way

 

Oh I don't know I would just blame New Jersey.  I could also think the same of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania....etc....

 

Driving standards are just abysmal.

 

 

[pethier]

2 hours ago, Croc said:

 

Oh I don't know I would just blame New Jersey.  I could also think the same of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania....etc....

 

Driving standards are just abysmal.

 

 

Driving in MASSachusetts

Driving in MASSachusetts

 

 

[jbcollier]

There are LHD Sevens already here.  Much simpler to buy here.

[Falcouver]

What are the most common sites are they sold in North America? Where to see the postings other than BAT and Cars & Bids ? We surely dont see them on autotrader or regular channels to make it much simpler to buy here.

[theDreamer]

9 minutes ago, Falcouver said:

What are the most common sites are they sold in North America? Where to see the postings other than BAT and Cars & Bids ? We surely dont see them on autotrader or regular channels to make it much simpler to buy here.

Falcover, Bookmark this page: https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/

Also, checkout the latest entries on Croc’s “The Regular Summary of Classified Ads of Se7ens Found For Sale” which is the first thread on the above page.

As well as check out UK sites like Pistonheads. More and more people have been importing Sevens from the UK. Better selection albeit RHD and until recently similar money to importing from the US.

Edited July 18 by theDreamer

[IamScotticus]

It would appear a fair number of 7 listing on Facebook Marketplace.  Must be cautious on Facebook and Ebay Motors.  Never send money before seeing the car in person. The seller should able to FaceTime or other video call method to show the car is real.

 

Yes  BAT has been the place for 7 sales.  Sometimes a better deal for the buyer than the seller.  But there are so many shenanigans in car buying,  having an intermediary or broker is worth it.

 

As long as I'm running my pie hole I'll say this...thinking of buying a cheap derelict project to build up?  Do you think you will come out cheaper or better?  No and no.  Buy a complete 7 and go from there. There are plenty that come up for sale, no need to try to do it on the cheap or do it your way.  It won't take long to find something to wrench on.   The seller usually takes a loss just to get it gone.

Edited July 18 by IamScotticus

[jbcollier]

Anything on BAT needs careful vetting.  A lot of sales actually do not go through for reasons from 10 year olds bidding for fun with their parent's credit card to cars being deceptively presented.  I personally know of one Europa sale where a barely-running-project car was sold as a top-quality driver.  As far as I know, it is still not on the road.

[theDreamer]

4 hours ago, jbcollier said:

Anything on BAT needs careful vetting.  A lot of sales actually do not go through for reasons from 10 year olds bidding for fun with their parent's credit card to cars being deceptively presented.  I personally know of one Europa sale where a barely-running-project car was sold as a top-quality driver.  As far as I know, it is still not on the road.

That goes for any site not just BaT. Cars & Bids, Facebook Marketplace, and the rest as they all have problem sellers and buys. It’s "Buyer Beware" no matter which website you use.

Even dealers and private sellers can't be trusted. I reported here on USA7's one such individual (who I understand is a silent member of this group) because he is misrepresenting a car he is trying to sell. He is using the complete text and photos from the ad used in the auction site that he bought the car through. That means he is impersonating the person he bought the car from. So, much of the info is now incorrect or at the very least misleading.

There is also the Classic Car Theft Ring I’ve mentioned several times. A Ford dealer who dabbled in collector cars decided to sell his Ford dealership and open a Classic Car dealership. He claims to have had over 200 cars stolen over a four year period and has had some of those allegedly stolen vehicles seized from the people who bought them in good faith from other persons. Furthermore, they have government supplied documentation showing that they are the rightful owners.

Edited July 19 by theDreamer