Converting to Left Hand Drive

This area is specifically for our "Technical Officers" posts, please post questions as normal in the "Technical and Maintenance" section. Unauthorised posts will be moved as we wish to keep this as an advice area only. You can answer posts if you have questions related to the post content.
Post Reply
User avatar
Neil Evans
Posts: 12179
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:06 am
Committee Role: Technical Officer
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
x 11
x 25

Converting to Left Hand Drive

Post by Neil Evans »

The bodyshells were built with both in mind. Virtually all of the holes and brackets needed were included in the build The exception, panel wise, is the front edge of the dash/parcel shelf. The drawback is that after 50 years of repairs and restoration the holes have often been plated over and brackets lost. Add to that , many mechanical parts are handed, including...

Steering idler
Handbrake lever, linkage and axle cross rods
Clutch linkage
Throttle pedal/linkage
Gearbox front cover
Speedo heads in Km are hen's teeth

All that said, the problems can be resolved.

The RHD steering idler can be reversed if a suitable spacer bracket is made. The handbrake and linkage can be modified to fit by a competent welder fabricator, as can the clutch and throttle linkages. A bracket to mount the clutch fork can also be made up. I think there are transfers available to modify the speedo head or any competent professional restorer of instruments should be able to convert as necessary...
Club Technical Information Officer
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)

Father of the club's only love child
User avatar
Hoppend
Posts: 415
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:48 pm
Location: Near Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Converting to Left Hand Drive

Post by Hoppend »

I have also seen an Austin with holes for both a steering idler and the steering column. Might have been the previous owners handywork, that I don't know. Does anybody know if they might have done this at the factory?
My Austin A30-A35 website: http://www.hoppend.nl
Chairman/webmaster of Dutch Owners club http://www.austinclub.nl
Neil MG
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:55 pm
Location: Cockermouth

Re: Converting to Left Hand Drive

Post by Neil MG »

Don't forget the obvious headlamps and wiper arms!
NM
1954 four door A30 black with red interior
User avatar
Neil Evans
Posts: 12179
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:06 am
Committee Role: Technical Officer
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
x 11
x 25

Re: Converting to Left Hand Drive

Post by Neil Evans »

Hoppend wrote:I have also seen an Austin with holes for both a steering idler and the steering column. Might have been the previous owners handywork, that I don't know. Does anybody know if they might have done this at the factory?
Do you mean two sets of holes on the same side of the car?
Club Technical Information Officer
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)

Father of the club's only love child
User avatar
Hoppend
Posts: 415
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:48 pm
Location: Near Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Converting to Left Hand Drive

Post by Hoppend »

Neil Evans wrote:
Do you mean two sets of holes on the same side of the car?
Yes exactly!
My Austin A30-A35 website: http://www.hoppend.nl
Chairman/webmaster of Dutch Owners club http://www.austinclub.nl
User avatar
Neil Evans
Posts: 12179
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:06 am
Committee Role: Technical Officer
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
x 11
x 25

Re: Converting to Left Hand Drive

Post by Neil Evans »

That has got to be a DIY modification. I've had hundreds of these Austins apart including two that were LHD when they left the factory(one was built RHD and then converted at Longbridge to LHD, according to the BMIHT build certificate)... :thumbs:
Club Technical Information Officer
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)

Father of the club's only love child
Post Reply