Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

[Gary C.]

RHD Z06. How did they convert to RHD I wonder.......

https://www.mecum.com/lots/1103652/1963-chevrolet-corvette-z06-export-split-window-coupe/?aa_id=518465-0

[Michael J.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

Pretty cheaply, quickly, and without any new parts. The grab bar hole is still on the right of the dash, but now above the gauge cluster and steering wheel. And nothing was done to the shifter at all or console at all. Ashtray still in the same place, but now between the driver and the shift lever.

[Gary C.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

If you look closely, you can see a rod bolted to the firewall to transfer the clutch to the right hand side of the car. I would have thought a hydraulic system would be a better option.
Clipboard01.jpg

[Tim G.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

It is a very strange car to look at in person.......

[Steven B.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

IIRC that car was converted in Australia. I just had a friend visit from Australia and Aaron said there are a few shops there that covert to right hand and it is very expensive.

[Gary C.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

I am in Australia and in the past, any left-hand drive (LHD) vehicle you wanted to import and use here had to be converted to right-hand drive. But now, the good news is, as long as your LHD car is over 25 years old, you can skip the conversion!

Take my classic '72 for example. Back in 1989, it had to go through the full conversion process. You can still see the evidence on the right side with the brake booster and the hydraulic clutch remote reservoir on the left. We even had to use a special remote clutch master cylinder to avoid clashing with the vacuum-operated wiper door valve. Quite the engineering feat!
RHD.jpgDSC04255.jpg

[Mark F.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

I am in Australia and in the past, any left-hand drive (LHD) vehicle you wanted to import and use here had to be converted to right-hand drive. But now, the good news is, as long as your LHD car is over 25 years old, you can skip the conversion! Take my classic '72 for example. Back in 1989, it had to go through the full conversion process. You can still see the evidence on the right side with the brake booster and the hydraulic clutch remote reservoir on the left. We even had to use a special remote clutch master cylinder to avoid clashing with the vacuum-operated wiper door valve. Quite the engineering feat! ...

Hi Gary,

What's involved swapping the steering box and linkages ?
I have heard that some conversions in the past used chains as part of steering mods...any truth to that ?

[Bill M.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

Well I was a movie car but the corvette summer car was done with chains and gears. There is a good article on the car in an old Vette or Corvette fever magazine.

[Gary C.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

https://www.motortrend.com/features/...evy-corvettes/

[Terry M.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

Corvette RHD: Major Surgery, Major Challenges

Transforming a classic Corvette to right-hand drive (RHD) is no quick fix, especially for C2s and C3s. These conversions are no joke – think firewall mods, hydraulic clutch swaps, Ford steering box installations, and relay rod adjustments. It's major surgery, and even then, success isn't guaranteed.

C3s add another layer of difficulty with their cramped right-hand floor and off-center engine, where RHD conversions can cook the exhaust manifold and render air conditioning useless. Thankfully, chain conversions are illegal, and Corvettes older than 25 get a pass – they can proudly stay Left-Hand Drive (LHD) classics.

But what about C4s to C7s? While possible, these conversions are notoriously expensive and often plagued by electrical and mechanical problems. So, unless you're a die-hard RHD enthusiast with a deep wallet and a mechanic on speed dial, it's generally best to stick with LHD for these models.

Here is an article on Tony Katavatis who used to convert them in the past.
https://www.motortrend.com/features/...evy-corvettes/

When we were working to get the museum started, we had a RHD C4 that I got to drive around Bowling Green for several days. We had it for longer than that. Maybe Ray Battaglini remembers, but he is no longer an NCRS member.

The car was converted at Warren, I was told. A couple of years ago when I asked at the museum if they still had it, I got some blank looks that I interpreted to be a no. It was a very well-done job. IIRC it was automatic. The only clue was the outside mirror control on the center console was still labeled Driver Side and Passenger Side (DS & PS), but the action was for LHD. Everything else was flawlessly set up for RHD. Maybe some of the retirees in the Michigan Chapter will remember the car from while they were employed.

I won't go far into the challenges and looks one gets. even in BG, when driving RHD in a LHD world. One would think the citizens of BG would be used to seeing unusual Corvettes. They are all over that town, but this RHD stunned a lot of them. The questions I got in motel parking lots and at restaurants were a hoot. That was one of the more fun parts of a usually boring series of events. I hope I don't get anyone in trouble for telling this story, but it was long ago and far away.

[Reba W.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

I seem to remember a story in The Restorer several years back about a conversion in Australia.

[Mark H.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

I seem to remember a story in The Restorer several years back about a conversion in Australia.

Yup. Louis Rokas (member # 41738) did an article in the Spring 2016 issue of The Restorer converting a C6 to RHD.

[Steven B.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

Terry, I recall seeing a RHD Vette parked outside the temporary "museum" when it was located in the small space in the strip mall.

[Terry M.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

Terry, I recall seeing a RHD Vette parked outside the temporary "museum" when it was located in the small space in the strip mall.

Thanks, Steve, for the reinforcement. I knew I wasn't hallucinating. Darned if I can remember if my experience was before or after we opened the doors to the "real" museum.

[Sven C.]

Re: Z06 Right hand drive at Mecum Kissimee Lot F196

Was at a tech seminar a few years ago and a member had bought this at auction. Interesting to see.

IMG_20170525_185048.jpg