All information exchanged on this discussion forum is assumed at the readers own risk. S.O.C.I., its officers, directors,
webmasters and members do not endorse its contents and are not liable in any manner for the accuracy, reliability and safety of this information. The administrators of this site reserve the right to remove any postings at their discrection.
I wrote to the guy thats selling this car. I was always toying with the idea of building a RHD Shay out of a basket case automatic car. Lets see if he gets back to me with a list of the parts needed for the conversion.
Hi Chris,
I am the guy selling the car in Australia. Unfortunately I have not received any communication from you. My correct email address is shown on the members register. Always willing to help, if possible.
John Beagle, Canberra.
Hi John.I have just purchased coupe roadster l/h drive and i would like to convert it to r/h drive.does ford cortina or capri steering rack or power steering rack can fit without any modification.What did you have to do with clutch and brake master cylinders.does Shay steering linkages fit,or have to be modified to fit. is cortina 2.3 l ghia engine same as pinto engine and box. I cortina gearbox better than pintos.Pintos gear liver is very floppy and gears are hard to find.Thanks if you can halp. G. Botica Auckland N Z
As most of our members/readers are in the US and Canada, we are probably not as familar with the brands and engines you mention in your posting.
As a suggestion, according to the ad on the converted RH drive from Australia, it was converted by Waddingtons Rods of Castlemaine, Victoria. Perhaps contacting them might help in getting answers and suggestions from them.
You mention you have a roadster/coupe. Is this a Shay? If so, please let us know, as we will list you as an owner in our registry, and add New Zealand to our list of countries where Shay/Camelot cars are found.
My wife and I have been to New Zealand twice (last time in May/June of this year) and we are planning on returning in a few years. We LOVE New Zealand, and perhaps we can meet you on our return trip.
A follow up of my previous post re Chris and an answer to Gorki.
I sent a comprehensive reply on the 15th July to Chris at cjbowen@aol.com but have not received an acknowledgement. In that reply I stated that the conversion to meet Australian standards was a complex matter requiring many skills and not to be taken lightly. In all states and territories of Australia, when modifications take place, before vehicles can be registered, they have to be certified by an independent specially qualified motor engineer who verifies that the work done, including x-rays of various steering components etc.etc., is satisfactory. This alone, in my case, cost some $2.5K, including modifications to headlights for RHD.
As I wanted our Shay to be as perfect as possible, but still retain its originality, (it still has original paint, upholstery and hood (top)), I chose to have this work professionally done at a cost of $85. per hour and I am delighted to say I got what I paid for.
I expect the new owner to collect the car in two weeks or so and drive it some 4,000kms home to Queensland.
Perhaps the best way to communicate with Gorki is for him to email me and I can then advise what needs to be done, but Gorki and others reading this post should be aware that at the time when the work was done by Waddingtons Rods I refurbished/replaced everything that needed attention.
As I said to Chris in my reply "Whilst I could send you photos of the work in progress, I would earnestly suggest, if you have got the time and energy, to change it to right hand drive, DON'T. Buy my Shay, and be the envy of all other Shay owners in the United States".
