The results of the RHD-LHD conversion
Well, here are some pics of how it looks at the moment. There is still some work that needs to be done.
Looks pretty standard, doesn't it. Some things however need some explanation. At the back of the center console you see the green of a speaker. There are speakers just behind the seats, and the other speakers are in the open space behind the center console. I still need to fit the black covers.
Another thing you might notice on the center console is the cigarette lighter. The old one didn't work anymore and looked bad on the inside. So I fitted a new Hella lighter. It doesn't look out of place, as far as I am concerned (of course the old one is kept). Between the cigarette lighter and the hazard warning light is a little switch. This is the override switch for the twin yellow fans in front of the radiator. The radio is a JVC radio/cd player with remote control.
On the dash, behind the plaster, is a light that shines when the overdrive is engaged. On the right from the plaster is a switch that currently has no function at all. Between that switch and the heater controls is the lpg-nothing-petrol switch. To make it a bit more clear I made a bigger photo.
No new clocks or anything. From left to right you see the light rocker switch, the dual gauge, the choke, the blower switch, the plaster for the light (because it is too bright), the switch that does nothing, the lpg-nothing-petrol switch and then the heater control knobs.
One thing you might notice is that there is a black slab behind the radio facia. This is to give a better fixing to the radio; the plastic is a bit flexible. The gear knob is not standard, but the old one is kept as a spare. This gear knob is from the MGOC. Nice, big, leather. Especially the size is nice. Because I am a bit bigger, this feels way less flimsy. The picture above leads to the question how the old hole looks, where the steering column used to be.
Looks a bit messy. One thing is difficult to see: I placed the fuse from the hazard warning light close to the white multi plug. Easier to reach. I don't know what to do with the multi plugs.
Again you see one of the speakers I mounted at the back of the center console.
In all it doesn't look bad, and all is welded shut. Still there should be a bit of navy colored fabric to really make it look standard.
The Bill...
So maybe you're reading this and you think it's a nice idea to convert a car from RHD to LHD. It will get you a new dash, new steering rack and a great opportunity to recon the gearbox and solve some engine leaks. Or maybe do something else, like wrap your exhaust manifold in insulating material. To cool down these thoughts it might help to know that the bill of the work carried out was 3.818,84 euro.
That excludes all the material I bought and delivered, like dashboard and new steering rack.
A bit steep, I'd say. So think twice before you commission this kind of work. If you think I'm joking about the bill, I can send it to you, so you can see what bits and pieces went in.