mercredi 13 janvier 2016

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Right Hand Drive Conversions After Import

  • mercredi 13 janvier 2016
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  • By Henry Anderson


    Many car collectors and enthusiasts often decide to purchase and import an American manufactured vehicle. Whilst it is not compulsory to perform right hand drive conversions, many owners will choose this option particularly in Great Britain and Australia. Obviously the process is not just a matter of moving the steering wheel and pedals and there are many things to be aware of when opting for this modification.

    Two basic options present themselves to the new owner. Firstly a specialist company can be retained to perform all the works. Alternately an enthusiast with some knowledge of mechanics, and perhaps the help of a local car club, can purchase a kit and do the work themselves. The kits are widely available online and through automotive stores and cost a few thousand dollars. The prices depend on make, model and type of conversion required.

    Choosing to entrust your car to a specialist is often the best option. Many of these companies will offer a lifetime guarantee on the work they have done and your vehicle is returned to you with all the documentation to certify that it has passed all the necessary safety checks. Although this option can cost tens of thousands of dollars the quality of workmanship and after sales service are worth the outlay.

    The home engineer that decides to have a go themselves and buy the parts should consider many things before starting. Often these D. I. Y. Packages are quite basic and unsightly. Although they work perfectly well and pass all safety requirements they are not as aesthetically pleasing as the professional option but the knowledge that you did it yourself is most satisfying.

    While your kit will contain all the parts you need, it might not have specialist tools to complete the job. Taking on a job like this in your garage at home is not a simple task. When you have completed the mechanical changes, there are still the inspections required for your country to be done. This will ensure your car meets all safety standards.

    Whichever option you choose there are many things to consider. The conversion process can often be very complex and time consuming. Apart from moving the controls to the other side many other parts may have to be relocated such as heaters, wiring looms, headlights and so on. Also it is worth bearing in mind that if you intend to show your car it is advisable to check before modifying as many clubs will penalize the owner for not having an original vehicle.

    When insuring a modified vehicle in most cases the premium will be higher. If you have had the work done by a specialist company the repairs or servicing may have to be done by them to keep the warranty valid. Resale value can also be affected so it is worth doing some research before commencing.

    If you are thinking of buying a pre-converted car get it checked by a professional. When you first go to see the car, take someone who knows that model well and can inspect it for you. There are clubs and associations that can help with this for a small fee.




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