Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

[Ray G.]

Hello In Australia and all left driving countries;

Wondering if this would be a legal conversion "down under" and how driving on the left side of the road affects your Corvettes?

Always appreciate your posts on the TDB.
Ray

[Twan B.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

A few years ago there was a article about RH corvettes down under in the NCRS Restorer, I believe that it is legal to drive those corvettes over here in the Netherlands.

Gr, Twan

[Richard J.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

The steering wheel mod might be OK, but you'd have to be careful not to get caught in the belt since your legs would have to be hung over the tunnel to get to the pedals...

[Graeme B.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Hi Ray, the cops would shoot you if you tried this in OZ.If you took this to be registered they would be falling over laughing. I can tell you it costs $49,950 for a conversion on a new Zo6 vette.(Mirror image.)No B.S.
Cheers,Graeme.

[Ray G.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Hi Ray, the cops would shoot you if you tried this in OZ.If you took this to be registered they would be falling over laughing. I can tell you it costs $49,950 for a conversion on a new Zo6 vette.(Mirror image.)No B.S.
Cheers,Graeme.

Hello Graeme;
Do all year Corvettes need conversion to right side steering to be legal ?
Wondering how it affects ones driving. Like driving on both sides of the road, for instance, in other countries?
Ray

[Ray G.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

The steering wheel mod might be OK, but you'd have to be careful not to get caught in the belt since your legs would have to be hung over the tunnel to get to the pedals...

Hello Richard;
The picture barely shows what looks like a pedal conversion also.
Think this is actually in use some where in the world.
Ray

[Wayne W.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

I have seen this conversion kit many times in the past. Used by postal service people and driver education instructors. It does have pedals on the RH side also.

[Michael W.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Hello Graeme;
Do all year Corvettes need conversion to right side steering to be legal ?
Wondering how it affects ones driving. Like driving on both sides of the road, for instance, in other countries?
Ray

It's interesting to hang around at either end of the UK-France Chunnel and watch people learning to drive on the wrong side of the road. Trying to remember which side of the roadway to go on at the intersection of two busy boulevards (dual carriageways) can be a treat.

[Steve L.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Trying to remember which side of the roadway to go on at the intersection of two busy boulevards (dual carriageways) can be a treat.

I spent over a month in Jolly old England many yrs ago driving a VW van with left steering. Initially I had all kinds of problems keeping on the correct side. Until I eventually figured out that if I keep to the simple rule of keeping the driver nearest the curb. After that I was OK.

But trying to pass on a single lane hwy following a "lorry" without a passanger, was absolutely suicide. You have to pull completely out into the on coming traffic to see around the lorry. If you did that, your, more than likely gonna get shmucked.

[Richard J.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Hello Richard;
The picture barely shows what looks like a pedal conversion also.
Think this is actually in use some where in the world.
Ray

Hmmm. I don't see the pedals. I thought this picture was a joke. I can't imagine someone actually doing this. But... maybe so...

[Jack H.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Of course this is a joke, intended as humor. But, for those who don't know, as Graham said you'd be laughed all the way to the local lock-up for presenting a car like this to licensing authorities...

Those who practice LH-RH conversions HAVE to register their design/approach with the appropriate governmental authorities, provide engineered drawings and cite applicable ADR (Australian Design Rules) to support the safety/integrity of their system.

Graham may actually be CONSERVATIVE in his $50K estimate of the conversion cost, depends on what all is being done, the specifics of the target car, and who does the conversion.

Certain model year cars are exempt from conversion and can be imported + registered in their native LH drive format. So, why would anyone want to spend the conversion $$$ when they don't have to?

Ever tried paying highway toll from the wrong side of car? How about going through a fast food drive through? For those who are serious about driving/using these classic Corvettes, the conversion process can make a LOT of sense...

[Terry M.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Certain model year cars are exempt from conversion and can be imported + registered in their native LH drive format. So, why would anyone want to spend the conversion $$$ when they don't have to?

Ever tried paying highway toll from the wrong side of car? How about going through a fast food drive through? For those who are serious about driving/using these classic Corvettes, the conversion process can make a LOT of sense...

Gee Jack, surely (Can I call you Surely? ) they have heard of a passenger down under. With luck one might even find an attractive and friendly passenger who just might pick up the tab for the burger or toll.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Of course this is a joke, intended as humor. But, for those who don't know, as Graham said you'd be laughed all the way to the local lock-up for presenting a car like this to licensing authorities...

Those who practice LH-RH conversions HAVE to register their design/approach with the appropriate governmental authorities, provide engineered drawings and cite applicable ADR (Australian Design Rules) to support the safety/integrity of their system.

Graham may actually be CONSERVATIVE in his $50K estimate of the conversion cost, depends on what all is being done, the specifics of the target car, and who does the conversion.

Certain model year cars are exempt from conversion and can be imported + registered in their native LH drive format. So, why would anyone want to spend the conversion $$$ when they don't have to?

Ever tried paying highway toll from the wrong side of car? How about going through a fast food drive through? For those who are serious about driving/using these classic Corvettes, the conversion process can make a LOT of sense...

No Joke.

http://www.postalthings.com/right_hand_drive_kits.htm

[Jack H.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Yep, they HAVE heard of passengers down under and they're highly desirable on road trips! I know...been there/done that.

It's interesting that they went to governmental rule making on the RH/LH issue (street legal) while it's just not an issue in the UK. There, righties and lefties can intermix on the public highways without restriction.

And, hey, that's a GOOD thing for those who drive their domestic cars off the ferry across the channel or the train transport from the chunnel, eh? But, that intermix of traffic (between Continental Europe and the British Isles) isn't an issue in New Zealand or Australia...

I took a cruise with the UK Chapter's membership chairman one day in his '64. There was a 'strange device' set behind the seats prompting me to ask, "What the heck???".

It was a nicely home fabricated, telescoping, mechanical 'arm' that had an articulating delivery 'bucket' attached to the distant end. GREAT for loading with bills & coins and passing across the cockpit to the opposite window/door as well as receiving that burger & coke with...

[Graeme B.]

Re: Right side vs left side driving in Australia ?

Hi Ray, back again.In Australia, cars that are 30years old or more can be driven on our roads as LH drive. The only things you have to change are the seat belts and headlights.And yes, you would be mad not to take a passenger that you can trust.
Cheers, Graeme.