RHD '73 C3 in CollectingCars auction

[Chevrolet]

Aussie RHD conversion?

1973 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C3) - RHD

This C3-generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is an iconic 1970s American muscle car. Under the bonnet is a rebuilt 5.7-litre small-block V8, which drives the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission. First registered in January 1973, it has reportedly spent time in Japan, Hong...

collectingcars.com

And this C3 recently sold:

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C3)

This C3-generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is a sought-after and iconic classic American sports car, offered for sale by its third private owner from new and benefitting from an extensive previous restoration. Under the bonnet sits a naturally aspirated 350-cubic inch (5.7-litre) V8, which...

collectingcars.com

 

[Nassau65]

That RHD will possibly appeal to some people, but most potential buyers/owners will want a LHD for that “true “ American driving experience, even if it is a bit driver unfriendly on todays roads.
I very nearly bought a 1964 convertible that had been converted to RHD in the early 90’s, but decided not to in the end.

 

[Roscobbc]

And what if you need to make running repairs to RHD steering and associated areas where (like dashboard) if you need replacemnets and can't identify components?

 

[Nassau65]

Some of the early RHD conversions were pretty “heath Robinson” chain driven jobs. Very unsophisticated. Dashes well? Australia pretty much perfected the RHD dash manufacturing. Exact copies, just RHD.
I remember the 64 I looked at probably just had the clocks/surround just swapped with the glove box assembly as the dash top had the grab handle cut out still on the top.

 

[Roscobbc]

Some of the early RHD conversions were pretty “heath Robinson” chain driven jobs. Very unsophisticated. Dashes well? Australia pretty much perfected the RHD dash manufacturing. Exact copies, just RHD.
I remember the 64 I looked at probably just had the clocks/surround just swapped with the glove box assembly as the dash top had the grab handle cut out still on the top.

'Er indoors had a UK spec; RHD Mustang 302 Ghia - she loved the car - being an automatic it only needed a couple of the same transfer linkages that learner cars have fitted, so literally a couple of rods suspended in rose type joints secured to the bulkhead ('mirrored' with pedals on the opposite side) - the chain driven jobs actually worked very well - an aluminium channel section with sprockets and chain linked each end - and actually worked very well with no 'slop'.

 

[Nassau65]

'Er indoors had a UK spec; RHD Mustang 302 Ghia - she loved the car - being an automatic it only needed a couple of the same transfer linkages that learner cars have fitted, so literally a couple of rods suspended in rose type joints secured to the bulkhead ('mirrored' with pedals on the opposite side) - the chain driven jobs actually worked very well - an aluminium channel section with sprockets and chain linked each end - and actually worked very well with no 'slop'.

Was it the mustang 11? (1974-78) they were great cars, and of course available in RHD. Had quite a few of them, and used them regularly. The cobra of 1978 aka the Farrah Fawcett Charlie’s angles was lovely. Wish I still had it now. Obviously looked faster than it was, but it sure looked good.

 

[Roscobbc]

Was it the mustang 11? (1974-78) they were great cars, and of course available in RHD. Had quite a few of them, and used them regularly. The cobra of 1978 aka the Farrah Fawcett Charlie’s angles was lovely. Wish I still had it now. Obviously looked faster than it was, but it sure looked good.

People would take the wee wee out of Mustang 11's - and yes, the humble base body of a Pinto didn't help the image - nor did the 13" Wolferace lookalikey wheels. But they performed, drove and rode just like a full size Yank with lovely soft and wafty suspension and a really quite luxurious interior for the time (and for a smal Ford) - and the best and arguably strangest part really was the steering - superb, direct powered rack and pinion......really popular 40/50 years as a front clip for upgrading hot rods, trucks and muscle cars - and still the benchmark for front suspension design in the 'States!

 

[CaptainK]

I quite like having a LHD car - I actually find changing gear with my right hand a bit nicer. But like Ross says above - I'd have a "standard" LHD car because of the support of parts etc.

 

[Nassau65]

The Mustang 11 was the right car at the right time according to mustang creator Lee Iacocca, and over 1 million sales in 4 years made him right.
What’s not to like

 

[Nassau65]

I liked the dark metallic brown Ghia model. 1/4 beige vinyl roof with beige interior. Glass sunroof if you were lucky.
Brown? Well it was the 70’s.

 

[Nassau65]

Charlie’s Angles loved them and Farrah’s Cobra was “the one”

 

[Roscobbc]

Our Mustang 11 - emission era 2 bbl 302 - 8.4 comp ratio.........136 bhp! - almost as much as the same period Vette!

 

[Nassau65]

Lovely. Would be a nice thing to own today. Always like the wolf race style mags.

 

[Nassau65]

The new for 1974 mustangs caused quite a bit of controversy as they were so different to the big fat brutish 71-73 “ “ wedge “models, BUT the buying public loved them. 385k sold in the first year compared to 135k of the 73’s. It very nearly beat the 1965 sales record.
The first oil crisis obviously played a big part of the story. A friend who worked for ford got rid of his 429SCJ due to the cost of gas, and got a new pinto, which he actually loved.

 

[Roscobbc]

Lovely. Would be a nice thing to own today. Always like the wolf race style mags.

The new for 1974 mustangs caused quite a bit of controversy as they were so different to the big fat brutish 71-73 “ “ wedge “models, BUT the buying public loved them. 385k sold in the first year compared to 135k of the 73’s. It very nearly beat the 1965 sales record.
The first oil crisis obviously played a big part of the story. A friend who worked for ford got rid of his 429SCJ due to the cost of gas, and got a new pinto, which he actually loved.

Bad and costly 'move' shifting the 429SCJ

 

[Nassau65]

Bad and costly 'move' shifting the 429SCJ

Yes, if only we had a crystal ball back then. What were just” old yanks are now worth bundles. Not just confined to American cars tho, plenty of others could be had for little money. My friend bought a DBS for £600 in 1978 ( I think) all there, but a bit light on brakes . My GT500 cost dad £600 in 1977, boy did that like a drink.

 

[Chevrolet]

I was aware of the CollectingCars auction website, but had only looked once or twice. Talking to someone "in the trade" I know this morning and he tells me that Chris Harris and one of the Dick Lovett family is involved with it. I Didnt know that. He said he'd sell a car on it. Zero sellers commission according to the below:

collectingcars chris harris - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

www.bing.com

 

[C5Steve]

I was aware of the CollectingCars auction website, but had only looked once or twice. Talking to someone "in the trade" I know this morning and he tells me that Chris Harris and one of the Dick Lovett family is involved with it. I Didnt know that. He said he'd sell a car on it. Zero sellers commission according to the below:

collectingcars chris harris - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

www.bing.com

Chris left the company a few months ago.

 

[Forrest Gump]

I’d be very interested to see how the RHD has been done, lots of photos there but none give any clues. The brake master cylinder is still on the left so there must be a cross shaft to the pedal. C3 steering is not known for its “precision” with the stock set-up so I fear for the effect of more rods, linkages or even chains!

 

[Roscobbc]

I’d be very interested to see how the RHD has been done, lots of photos there but none give any clues. The brake master cylinder is still on the left so there must be a cross shaft to the pedal. C3 steering is not known for its “precision” with the stock set-up so I fear for the effect of more rods, linkages or even chains!

Even more challenging perhaps is that the l/h and r/h sides of the engine compartment/firewall are so very different........however the engine does sit 'off' the centreline of the and biased a inch or two to the left side of the car......certainly does on BBC powered C3's - presumably SBC too, so that would leave some additional space for steering column........imagine that A/C cars would be a challenge......?