RHD to LHD or vice versa

gangitano85

A2OC Donor
Belgium
Good morning,

Just for starters, I am not contemplating on attempting this, but I was just curious. Are there any examples of A2's in which have been fully converted (i.e. steering wheel swapped to the other side) from LHD to RHD or RHD to LHD. I reckon it would be impossible for the LHD only 1.2 TDI, but for all other models the parts should all be available in order to make the swap.
 
The 1.4 Tdis definitely have different parts ; the EGR, turbo pipework to intercooler and back, possibly even turbo itself etc. are different between the LHD & RHD cars. You'd presumably also need to do something about the windscreen wiper, scuttles etc. In the bodywork pages of 7zap there are also different bulkheads (I think) for lhd and rhd, differences in the rear of the front wheel arch structures etc.

Also - I'm pretty certain you'd need different wiring looms - over there the electrons flow on the other side.

;)
 
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There's no equivalent steering rack for a 1.2Tdi. The easiest option, by far, would be to sell one and buy another!

RAB
 
There's no equivalent steering rack for a 1.2Tdi. The easiest option, by far, would be to sell one and buy another!

RAB

I would agree, but I was just curious whether anyone has been crazy enough actually try to do it.
 
I am always bemused by the impulse that leads British owners of left-hand drive drive cars to convert them to driving from the right, as I am by the insistence by some modern Italians that left-hand drive is the only possible system. Until the early 1950s all good quality French and Italian cars were sold at home with right-hand drive, though the convention of the road was to drive on the right. Sweden meanwhile drove on the left until the mid 60s, but the Volvo PV444 and 544 were only built with left-hand drive, presumably because that was the preference of the home market.
 
I am always bemused by the impulse that leads British owners of left-hand drive drive cars to convert them to driving from the right
I think it's more a case of prospective British owners of LHD cars thinking about conversion. Actual British owners of LHD cars soon realise that there are as many pros as cons to LHD with the possible exception of overtaking. But if moving your head a few feet makes that much difference, maybe overtaking under those conditions isn't such a good idea.

RAB
 
I think it's more a case of prospective British owners of LHD cars thinking about conversion. Actual British owners of LHD cars soon realise that there are as many pros as cons to LHD with the possible exception of overtaking. But if moving your head a few feet makes that much difference, maybe overtaking under those conditions isn't such a good idea.

RAB

Don't forget getting / returning your parking ticket when you don't have a passenger to assist you. That and overtaking are the only two things I struggle with when driving on the continent.
 
Don't forget getting / returning your parking ticket when you don't have a passenger to assist you. That and overtaking are the only two things I struggle with when driving on the continent.
More than balanced by the ability to open the driver's door and step onto the pavement!

RAB
 
Don't forget getting / returning your parking ticket when you don't have a passenger to assist you. That and overtaking are the only two things I struggle with when driving on the continent.
May I interest you in one of these:


Warning: may cause spontaneous laughter in people near you.

I've used them, with some added rubber tape on the tips, with decent success on my last few UK holidays.
Even if it fails, you will likely at least put a smile on onlooker's faces. ;)


Meanwhile, not overtaking saves fuel! ?
 
More than balanced by the ability to open the driver's door and step onto the pavement!

RAB
Absolutely! I learnt to drive in a LHD car, though in the UK. I passed my test in a RHD, and then immediately went back to driving my LHD car. Although it had a few disadvantages, I did enjoy being able to step out of the car onto the pavement.
 
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