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MG MGB Technical - RHD to LHD conversion

Hi all.

Itīs the first time I post something on this MGB forum.
I've got a MGF VVC (which I love) but I'm planing to get a winter car. As the winters here are not that rough and I really like classics, a MGBGT chrome bumper is the choice I made. You can find them in Lisbon, but they are far too expensive.

I've been checking the prices in US and UK and they are much better. The problem with US is the trasnport, I assume it would be very costly. In UK is the RHD. Ideally I should find a car in France or Germany.

Back to the subject: how hard is it to change the driver's side?

1.It envolves pedals, steering rack, dash... and what more?
2.What's the cost involved (parts only)?
3.Can I do it at home? I've got some knowledge in mechanics.
4.Is there any GT buyers guide on-line?
5.Any recomendations? Places to ring? Sites?

Thanks a lot,

Valter.
Valter

What's wrong with RHD? Move to the UK and then you'll have the best of all worlds.
Ron

Valter,

Buy a UK car and keep it RHD! I live in Belgium and my car is RHD and I intend to keep it that way.
If only for the looks on people's faces when they see me and realise that I'm sitting on the other side (the RIGHT side btw :-D ).

Regards,

Alexander
Alexander M

I think there's style associated to RHD cars. No doubt! I was in UK this weekend and didn't have a problem driving them.

But you want to know what's wrong? Few examples: paying tolls, parking lots entrances, the car will virtually unsellable here, dangerous when overtaking lorries and so on.

Cheers, Valter.
Valter

Valter,

If you do find a RHD car and wish to convert it to LHD, I believe the best place for the parts is a country where they convert many LHD cars to RHD.
It is reasonable to assume that they would finish with many surplus LHD parts that they could never sell.
In Australia many cars have been converted LHD to RHD. There must be many LHD parts that are only for scrap.
One company (of many) is:

http://www.mgsales.com.au

Ask them by email for a price on LHD pedal sets, steering rack, and dash.

Mick
M F Anderson

Valter
Most of the older MGB's were unisex. Could be set-up either LHD or RHD. Not sure about the rubber bumper models. MF Anderson is right about surplus conversion parts. There are several firms in the UK that I have seen advertising that convert American export models to RHD for resale. They would have the parts you need to convert an UK car to LHD.

Jim
Jim Lema

Why not buy a LHD import here in the UK, there are plenty being brought back in a good condition to utilise their bodyshells for rebuilds. If you talk to the various dealers, they may have something in stock. Recently there was one for sale at Watford car sales, or you could try CCHL in Hull.

HTH
Martin

Valter,

I know what you mean. I bought and imported my B GT V8 from the UK. It's not the driving itself that matters, it's the rest - like you say, toll, parking and taking over on B roads. So I had it converted to LHD. For a four potter this does not involve a lot: different steering rack, mountings on the x-member have to be welded in correct lhd place, dash, probably wiring loom and of course the pedal box. Probably relocating master cylinders.
Most four potters were build with the hole for the steering column already made and covered by a plate. So this does not have to be a problem.
Depending on regulations you might have to look for a speedo in kmh, instead of mph.
Depending on your liking, you might have to fabricate a piece of cloth to cover up the part of the bulkhead where the steering column used to be.
For a dash in period style I would recommend mech spec in the uk. They do a lot of lhd-rhd conversions, so they have a fair amount of lhd dashes. Beware what you buy though: most lhd american cars have dashes I wouldn't want in my car (the Abingdon pillow, for example).

Let me know how you get on. Basically cars in Holland are not too expensive at this time either, due to the recession. It is a good time for buying, I think. But when you add up the cost, it could make economical sense to spend a bit more and get a car from Holland, Germany, or France. If you're interested, I can scan and send (perhaps translate) the ads page from the Dutch MGOC. Maybe they have something on the net as well.

Frank
Frank de Groot

I had a LHD 65 Roadster in South Africa a few years back which I considered switching to RHD, and I would say the easiest conversions are the pre-69 cars.
In my case this would have been a matter of new steering rack, headlights and lower dash panel. The wiring loom to go to LHD from RHD may be a problem as far as reaching the left side of the dash, but IIRC the pedal box will swap straight over. Not sure about the wipers, though, if they will remount to sweep the other way round.

Smiths instruments are available in km/h, I had a Cape Town built Austin 1300 with this, including the odometer, although it had the mph in the inner ring, too. I also recall seeing a French 1300 with the same speedo. The speedo was the same diametre as the MGB unit, but I am sure the same would have been available for the European B >75.
Martin

thanks a lot!

Ideally I want a central europe LHD car. But in USA and UK they are much cheaper...

More news to follow.

Valter.
Valter

If you want to know more about purchasing a car I would strongly recommend purchasing the Lindsey Porter book about renovation and purchase. It can be obtained via the Amazon book site.
Join a club to see some of the ads I would recommend the MGCC details somewhere on this web site. Once a member you can contact the B register to ask about purchasing a U.K. car. BTW have you contacted the Spanish MGCC? They might have a B for sale. On my recent trip to Spain in my old girl I have also learnt of a B in Lugo, Galica, thats not to far from you.
As for changing from RHD to LHD the basics are new dashboard; new steering rack; new Speedo cable; remove the pedal box; (I understand that you may have to reshape the accelerator pedal). Change the Speedo to KPH; change the headlamps to left-hand dip; do not have to change the wiring circuit just add some extra lengths!; if the car has a brake servo this will have to be re-located and the brake and clutch pipes in the engine bay will have to be changed.
When purchasing a U.K. car dont forget that they have harder winters so the car could be quite corroded. The problem with USA cars is that the dashboards have a different spec after about 1969 (and to be quite honest they are horrible) (and different over riders too) Rubber bumpered cars have a lower value then chrome cars.
Good luck with your search.
PS I still have to give my B a Dutch title.. I am still riding around on U.K. plates!
Cecil Kimber

This thread was discussed between 11/06/2003 and 12/06/2003

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