RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted March 12, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 12, 2016 Australia is a bit funny about LHD, with a complete ban on it for anything post 1989 and rules which vary from state to state as to whether earlier cars can be registered and used on the road. These state based rules have, on the whole, become more relaxed in recent years but were once quite restrictive. Owner must belong to a recognised club and vehicle to only be used for sanctioned club events being typical limitations. As a result, a thriving industry has developed in converting LHD cars to RHD. The standard of work varies from truly abysmal to excellent, although the average probably hovers around mediocre. I find it entirely believable that someone may, at some time, have achieved a conversion that, cosmetically at least, looked original. Even some of the more ghastly lump hammer and hacksaw jobs can look OK on the surface. I recall seeing a conversion of a WW2 Willeys Jeep to RHD, a notoriously difficult conversion. On the one in question to get the instruments moved to the right hand side involved removing the dash board and refitting it upside down. This was an Australian conversion necessitated by legislation. By all accounts it was one of the better conversions but not many were done due to cost. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium petethemole Posted March 12, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 12, 2016 Too slow? These were built as delivery vans in the days when 40mph was quite fast on a lot of roads. Nice restoration. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-35789799 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr2 Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Too slow? These were built as delivery vans in the days when 40mph was quite fast on a lot of roads. Nice restoration. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-35789799 That's a lovely restoration! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS1977 Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Too slow? These were built as delivery vans in the days when 40mph was quite fast on a lot of roads. Nice restoration. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-35789799 40mph may not be all that fast, but it's still above the speed limit for most urban roads, and on a lot of minor country roads you'd be foolish to do any more than that, even though the 'Notional Speed Limit' applies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanuts Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 interesting article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35716456 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hippo Posted March 13, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 13, 2016 its that time of year, apart form ragging it round the block to check the new oil pressure/water temp gauge doesn't leak, it hasn't been out since October. Thursday is the first run of the year which will include a run through the dartford tunnel ( very excited by this as the silencer has NO baffles in it). Is it ready.... far from it. there is almost no interior apart from the Drivers seat and dash board and there is still a whole load of welding to be done.... but never mind, its all about driving it :-) Good looking from a far, but far from good looking how big are modern Fiesta's....... 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 AAAh, yes, The AH Sprite.....G=plate was good year..I had one [in the early 1970's]..probably the best of the Sprites & Midgets....with the wind-up windows, easy launch hood, and 1275 engine. [an easy 70 mph in 3rd....and not into the red line either] Somehow, subsequent models got lost, with their plastic & vinyls and big bumpers and stuff. I don't think the Triumph sourced 1500 engine..and the incredibly heavy Triumph-sourced gearbox that accompanied it, did the model any favours. But then,that's my view......given that the entire car was originally designed as a whole,, around the BMC parts.....having driven a 1500, I don't think it had the same 'dynamics' as the proper BMC Spritdget. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hippo Posted March 14, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 14, 2016 AAAh, yes, The AH Sprite.....G=plate was good year..I had one [in the early 1970's]..probably the best of the Sprites & Midgets....with the wind-up windows, easy launch hood, and 1275 engine. [an easy 70 mph in 3rd....and not into the red line either] Somehow, subsequent models got lost, with their plastic & vinyls and big bumpers and stuff. I don't think the Triumph sourced 1500 engine..and the incredibly heavy Triumph-sourced gearbox that accompanied it, did the model any favours. But then,that's my view......given that the entire car was originally designed as a whole,, around the BMC parts.....having driven a 1500, I don't think it had the same 'dynamics' as the proper BMC Spritdget. Mines certainly not that quick although if pushed along it'll touch 80 (on an airfield, obviously not on the road). You'd have thought it might be quicker considering how little metal there is left in it (mumble mumble rust British sports cars mumble mumble) The acceleration is pretty good though and the twin SU's and straight through pipe make it sound good. Also by being so low and exposed it feels like your going a lot quicker than you are. Owen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 This may have already been posted - but just in case it hasn't http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volkswagen-Beetle-Classic-/141928276209?hash=item Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Jack, It's actually meant to look like that. It is called a patina finish and very popular over the Pond. Try Googling it or the term 'rat rod'. steve (occasional car modeller) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
w124bob Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Spotted in a carpark in Leamington (the one by the Stagecoach depot) '76 plate Series 2 Jaguar which I'm pretty sure was a coupe, vinyl roof was the give away but I was on a passing train. Then Banbury side of the station was an Austin landcrab, an early 50's Chevy in gorgeous red and white and a covered spare wheel on the rear bumper . Also I've seen a one off MK1 Escort Mexico estate here as well . Admittedly around the south end of the station a several motor related business, one doing serious work on various hot Jap coupes from the 80's and 90's. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Mines certainly not that quick although if pushed along it'll touch 80 (on an airfield, obviously not on the road). You'd have thought it might be quicker considering how little metal there is left in it (mumble mumble rust British sports cars mumble mumble) The acceleration is pretty good though and the twin SU's and straight through pipe make it sound good. Also by being so low and exposed it feels like your going a lot quicker than you are. Owen Which? magazine got their '68 example up into the low 90s when they did a big sports car test. The Honda S800 and Triumph Spitfire Mk3 were a shade faster, but not by a margin which would count in the real world away from MIRA or wherever they used for performance testing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 its that time of year, apart form ragging it round the block to check the new oil pressure/water temp gauge doesn't leak, it hasn't been out since October. Thursday is the first run of the year which will include a run through the dartford tunnel ( very excited by this as the silencer has NO baffles in it). Is it ready.... far from it. there is almost no interior apart from the Drivers seat and dash board and there is still a whole load of welding to be done.... but never mind, its all about driving it :-) Car3.jpg Good looking from a far, but far from good looking Car4.jpg how big are modern Fiesta's....... It looks tidy but from your mention of rust, I presume there are some holes in the inner sills and floor? Good luck with the repairs, I know first hand how a few holes become new sills/floors etc... I used my dad's midget as my everyday car for a few months in the early 2000's, as you say cracking car to drive because you are so low to the ground. The Midget heater was fantastic and with a 3/4 toneau cover I was nice and toasty with the hood down most days in January. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Spotted in a carpark in Leamington (the one by the Stagecoach depot) '76 plate Series 2 Jaguar which I'm pretty sure was a coupe, vinyl roof was the give away but I was on a passing train. Then Banbury side of the station was an Austin landcrab, an early 50's Chevy in gorgeous red and white and a covered spare wheel on the rear bumper . Also I've seen a one off MK1 Escort Mexico estate here as well . Admittedly around the south end of the station a several motor related business, one doing serious work on various hot Jap coupes from the 80's and 90's. The Landcrab has been there some years now Bob, when I'm working trains on down main I get a great view of it if I open the cab side window, it's been shunted about a few times and it's on a J plate IIRC. Looks like an Austin 3 litre although I stand to be corrected. There's also an '80s Merc Coupe in the same spot as well which has been there quite a while. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 its that time of year, apart form ragging it round the block to check the new oil pressure/water temp gauge doesn't leak, it hasn't been out since October. Thursday is the first run of the year which will include a run through the dartford tunnel ( very excited by this as the silencer has NO baffles in it). Is it ready.... far from it. there is almost no interior apart from the Drivers seat and dash board and there is still a whole load of welding to be done.... but never mind, its all about driving it :-) Car3.jpg Good looking from a far, but far from good looking Car4.jpg how big are modern Fiesta's....... Tsk tsk, non-standard colour. Good lad, she looks lovely. My '72 RWA Midget has been in my possession since 1977. Unfortunately SORN'd at the moment as I can't drive her with the big slipper (hospital shoe). My dream Spridget is lowered, no chrome or bumpers but with gills (A la Big Healey) behind the front arches. However, I wouldn't have wire wheels-already been down that route. Ed 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
w124bob Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Saturday afternoon Manchester crown court carpark, an immaculate Mercedes Benz 560SEC on Dutch plates, these are starting to fetch serious money. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Saturday afternoon Manchester crown court carpark, an immaculate Mercedes Benz 560SEC on Dutch plates, these are starting to fetch serious money. Anywhere between £6000 and £20000 for a good one. Mind you, the fuel bills are an eye opener, and you'll struggle to get as much as 20mpg! There are two such coupés which have been laid up for years in front gardens in Wembley - I pass them on the way to work. One of them, which seems to have cosmetic bits by Lorinser, hasn't been on the road since the late 1990s. Fancy a restoration project?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
t8hants Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Cars are fine, but this is my baby Bedford bought as a chassis cab, I have made everything from the cab backwards. Apart from the rear mudflaps, they came off the exploding fuel bowser in the film Battle of Britain 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitalspark Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I'm on the look out for an E series vauxhall cresta or velox. Think they are the best looking car vauxhall ever made. Good to hear of interest in the old E Series Vauxhalls. I have one which belonged originally to my father..bought when only a few months old and been in the family since. Its done 62000 miles and is taxed (free) and on the road although currently it resides in the main hall of Dundee transport Musueum of which I am a member. The museum kindly offered me a place to keep the car and also offered to display it which I am delighted with as at the moment I don't have the time to spend with it. I also have a 1973 Volvo 144S one owner..again my late Dads..and it too is at the museum although stored. Between cars and trains and dogs and horses..no wonder I'm skint! Dave. Dave. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mark Forrest Posted March 28, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 28, 2016 Uncovered my much neglected Midget from under a pile of debris in the garage. Time for a big clean up in the garage as I've acquired a rust free shell to rebuild it into. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitalspark Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Stayed in Edinburgh last weekend in well known hotel..this wee A35 resident in the carpark. Dave. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 My father started it off with a Wyvern which after an Anglia, seemed a big car; bench seat, column shift, etc, but omitted winding windows, an omission I just couldn't fathom. I had a Vanguard but followed on with a similar vintage Velox which was a little peppier. Then I moved on to a Zodiac. All good cars for their time but I remember having to buy a radio for the Zodiac which was odd considering it was a top of the range car and the Vanguard didn't even have a heater! Brian. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 A Citroën CX oasis in Hornchurch: The 1975 2200 C-matic is of particular interest since it would be one of the first few hundred RHD CXs released that year, and one of the few surviving "clutchless manual" gearbox cars. Always wanted a CX, but a Series 2 saloon (1985-90) rather than Series 1. A designer's car, not an accountant's. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANGERS Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Good to hear of interest in the old E Series Vauxhalls. I have one which belonged originally to my father..bought when only a few months old and been in the family since. Its done 62000 miles and is taxed (free) and on the road although currently it resides in the main hall of Dundee transport Musueum of which I am a member. The museum kindly offered me a place to keep the car and also offered to display it which I am delighted with as at the moment I don't have the time to spend with it. I also have a 1973 Volvo 144S one owner..again my late Dads..and it too is at the museum although stored. Between cars and trains and dogs and horses..no wonder I'm skint! Image 1-1.jpeg IMG00174-20110506-1805.jpeg Image-5.jpeg Image 1-2.jpeg IMG_1835.jpeg Dave. Dave. What's the coach in the background? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two_sugars Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 What's the coach in the background? Plaxton Panorama? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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