LHD TO RHD Conversions pre 73 cars

[leedurra123]

Hi All,

Hope you can put my mind at ease, Im currently looking for an early pre 73 car but they all seem to be LHD's, is there anybody out there that will take on a conversion and is it really worth it, I seem to come across many cars that I like but they are all LHD's, I guess you also get a less rusty car most of the time if you buy a Left Hooker.

would really appreciate your help and knowledge, RHD prices are also going through the roof as the moment too.

Cheers Lee D

 

[oldtimer]

Hi Lee , you are right that you have a better chance of a rust free ( in reality less rust , never zero) car if its LHD and spent its days in a better climate .
The other thing to consider is that the demand for good early cars is strong in Europe , so the market for a LHD car if and when you resell will be larger . I dont think the financial case for a LHD to RHD conversion stands up , suggest you ask Nick Moss of early 911 or Steve Winter of Jaz if you want an estimate of what costs are involved and more views from the trade.

There are RHD cars out there , a good one will cost you , the driving position is compromised compared to LHD and the handling and feel etc are not any better to offset that , its just easier to deal with car parks , toll booths , overtaking etc.

 

[leedurra123]

Thanks my friend, I asked Paul Stephen and he quoted a wopping 10k for a conversion,
I just wondered if this was over priced, early 911 said it would be hard to find a RHD bulkhead for conversion, think I will keep on looking for a RHD and keep anything in mind from something that needs work and an example thats a little cleaner. not to sure about a sportamatic and there seem to be a couple for sale at the minute.

keep me in mind if you see anything... I live in the Suffolk area,

appreciate the fast response...

 

[oldtimer]

Hi Lee , it is worth joining DDK , they have a pretty active forum and as a plus , traders are not restricted from joining in and advertising their wares []......I'm sure you will unearth some candidate cars that way as well.....I dont know how much you are prepared to spend on a car ???

 

[Rotorhead]

Not only is it expensive to convert lhd to rhd, it will probably devalue it by a similar amount.
,
Originality is key and IIRC there was an orange '73 2.7RS that had been converted many years ago. It was always for sale somewhere at a below market price, but the conversion stigmitised it. Think it was eventually converted back to lhd.

Also worth bearing in mind that the early 911s were designed first and foremost to be lhd and many will say drive better as such. Certainly the 915 gearbox is easier to use from the lhs. And, of course, the global market for lhd is much bigger.

 

[leedurra123]

Hi, what is ddk, sorry Im new to this!
I have saved 20k but will wait a little longer and spend 25k,

can I get something half decent for that?

Thanks, Lee

 

[Nick Moss]

Link to DDK
The main resource in the UK for pre 73 Porsches.

Any half-decent RHD early 911 will be north of £30K these days. LHDs are fetching the same or more money. Paul Stephens has a LHD 73T for £24K, have a look at it and get an idea of what your £20K would buy.

 

[sjd]

Have tried twice to post a detailed response (without success). Try Dave Broughton at 911Classic he has done a conversion for my 1972 911T project. I am plesaed with the outcome and surprised if it cost £10k. The car is a keeper and heavily modified, so not worried about relative valuations.

 

[bernard tester]

I would not advise left to right convertion I have never seen one that's right! have you driven lhd cars? call in and have a chat if your past Stowmarket at any time. We normaly have a few 911s in for repairs you can look at. Berny.