FE07 Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 43 Caterhams for sale currently on pistonheads in UK, all RHD. Seem to be good prices. What, maybe 2 cars for sale here? Has anyone ever imported one from UK to US and changed it to LHD? Hard to do? Whats involved? Expensive parts needed? Yeh I know you can drive RHD car here but not looking to do that after 35 yrs of driving. Gotta screw up your sight lines in a car with significant enough vision challenges already. So, has anyone here imported one? What was involved with shipping/customs etc? Thanks ahead for the replies, Jim A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centerfireman Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Though I do not know what is involved in converting a RHD to LHD, I purchased a RHD Seven from England back in the 1970s and imported it to the States and drove it for 6 years before selling. (I believe that importing one from overseas and getting it licensed in the US would be far more complicated now). I found that RHD was very easy to get used to and (if you are right-handed) there are some advantages to having your dominant hand on the steering wheel during a shift. I agree that RHD probably is a negative at resale time, but if you plan to keep the car (and are able to get it licensed here), you may find that you will be fine with leaving it as a RHD and avoiding the expense of the LHD conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Stig Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Unless the car is at least 25 years old (historic!) forget it. I looked into this when I moved from the UK so sold there and bought here. Really not worth the hassle. I often look at the ads on PH and keep thinking there should be a business opportunity bringing them here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdog Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 (edited) I'm an American living in Germany. You will need to buy one that is at least 25 years old. (I bought a 1983 Caterham) then there are zero restrictions. No import duties, but you might need to pay state sales tax. Personally the RHD vs LHD issue is purely a mental one. Most that drive a seven are a drivers driver and shouldn't be bothered. Sight lines shouldn't be an issue as the car is so slender that you can almost lean to a LHD view even belted. If you take the SO they can be your guide as well. Edited December 30, 2013 by bigdog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 About RHD, since I've been driving my RHD crossflow, it is different. A drive-thru or toll plaza present issues, but I'll save those for "normal" driving. As to sight lines, with my butt so close to the pavement, I find that more of an adjustment. All these challenges come about in populated areas, the most fun is two lane roads in the boonies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escondidoron Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 About RHD, since I've been driving my RHD crossflow, it is different. A drive-thru or toll plaza present issues, but I'll save those for "normal" driving. As to sight lines, with my butt so close to the pavement, I find that more of an adjustment. All these challenges come about in populated areas, the most fun is two lane roads in the boonies! :iagree: Concur. My '62 is RHD and really doesn't pose a problem for me. About the only thing that I really notice is that the mail boxes are much closer to me on country roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FE07 Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 Thanks for all the replies. Guess my main question still is (although a moot point if can't take relatively current car and import)..... can you convert a RHD car to LHD and what is involved?? Jim A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Nethercote Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Depends ... new rack, possibly new steering column depending on whether the intake or exhaust systems interfere (the Birkin uses different column arrangements for LHD and RHD), but steering column support structure regardless, new dash, gut and rebuild scuttle area to provide steering column and pedal supports on new side. Extent of rewiring may vary depending on whether you will have to move the battery and fuse box: on the Birkin they occupy the positions that the column and pedal box don't. I'm sure I forgot something .... relocate adjustable driver's seat to other side, but that's in the noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffersonRaley Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I'm with you. I see great ones on Pistonheads all the time, and I can't imagine Caterham produces 2 different chassis. I've even thought about buying one in RHD as a track only car. I would think that any of the builders or dealers should be able to answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Have not done it, but this should be a start. New dash, swap gauge positions, rewire as needed. New Steering rack, Swap steering column over along with pedal box and pedals, Don't know if pedal box and pedals are interchangeable. Might need new throttle cable if length is different. Move Handbrake assembly if old style in tunnel brake is used. Move ignition to new side, rewire, new left hand Windshield wipers maybe Don't recall if the passenger footwell is the same size, if not you might have to buy a new footwell and rivet it in. Now what did I miss? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdog Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Thanks for all the replies. Guess my main question still is (although a moot point if can't take relatively current car and import)..... can you convert a RHD car to LHD and what is involved?? Jim A. Depends on what you call a relatively current car. If you define it as newer than 1989, Then it's a moot point, as it will not be allowed on the street. And it will not make it past customs at the port of entry. Maybe it's just me. But I fail to see why you would be concerned with a RHD model. It'll be unique. It will take just a short time to adapt. I'm 56 and just bought a RHD Caterham. You will adapt. I think you are just over thinking the issue. It's far more difficult to get in my Caterham (hood up) than driving it because of being a RHD version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) Easy! Okay, I want one! :cheers: Edited January 10, 2014 by xcarguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 'merican ingenuity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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