[DML] Re: RIGHT HAND DRIVE

["Ian Foster" <ian@xxxx>]

Martin,

Excellent information on the RHDs. I'm very interested in this topic as I've
found a 'very rough' RHD and am considering having it rebuilt. If you, Lance
& Chris communicate off-list on this topic please cc. info to me as I find
it very helpful.

Cheers, IAN
************************

----- Original Message -----
From: Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Chris Parnham <chrisparnham@xxxx>
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 1999 3:52 AM
Subject: [DML] Re: RIGHT HAND DRIVE


> Hi Lance - I'm guessing you're related to Rick who I've been in contact
with
> before about your car. I have inserted replies below.
>
> Lance Haslewood wrote:
>
> > In response to a question from an Australian on right-hand drive
> > conversions and factory right hand drive DeLoreans in the 'Letters To
The
> > Editor' section of the latest edition of DeLorean Word (Fall 1999), the
> > editor David Knudson, responded by stating that DMC did not produce any
> > right-hand drive vehicles.
>
> There are conflicting reports of this, but THERE ARE NO CARS ORIGINALLY
> PRODUCED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE RIGHT. All are conversions, but
it's
> here that stories start to differ. Story 1) There are 12 right-hand drive
cars
> converted on behalf of DMC by Wooler Hodec (sp?) in Andover. They did the
> relocation of the steering wheel and the pedal box.(the brakes are
tricky),
> and the rebuilding of the dash. The Wipers and light clusters were done at
the
> factory after this, IIRC. Story 2) THREE cars (one an auto) were converted
AT
> THE FACTORY, the rest at Wooler Hodec. Interestingly, these are supposedly
> identified by the side indicators, and lack of running lights. As I say on
my
> website, the stainless panels DO NOT have holes cut for the running lights
and
> therefore they are NOT conversions, but original, which adds weight to
this
> argument. However, Mike Loasby disputes this second story.
>
> > I find this statement to be somewhat
> > contradictory to general opinion, and confusing, because as far as I am
> > aware, DMC manufactured 12 right-hand drive models; two with auto
> > transmission and 10 with manual.
>
> These are indeed the correct statistics - all Black Manuals with two
> exceptions in each case - a grey manual which was converted for John
Taylor,
> and a grey auto - the one supposedly done at the factory. BOTH auto's and
two
> original RHD manual's are owned by Chris Parnham.
>
> > Furthermore, I own a right hand drive
> > DeLorean, which the paperwork tells me, is original. The vehicle is
also
> > Eurofit configured.
>
> In my conversations with Rick, he told me the wipers aren't converted, and
> your rear running lights are red - check also the front indicators and the
> rear light cluster. These are all telltale signs of the prototypes. See my
> website for more details.
>
> > I have thoroughly checked my car for any tell-tale
> > hints that it may be a converted model, but there are none. A well-done
> > conversion perhaps?
>
> Definitely. Te reiterate from above: ALL RHD CARS ARE CONVERSIONS. The
> body-tub was never designed to take a RHD version. Check for the hole from
the
> steering column on the left, for eg.
>
> >
> >
> > Mr Knudson goes on to say that he had seen several DeLoreans that had
been
> > converted, and were extremely well done, but most had been rather poor
> > jobs.
>
> Hmmmm. the factory conversions were done VERY well, however, the cars
> themselves were used at the factory for testing and the Hooper's car has
body
> damage due to experimentation with stainless repair.
>
> > I'm somewhat confused by this statement. Agreed that there are
> > probably a few sharks out there who have the attitude that 'near enough
is
> > good enough' when carrying out vehicle conversions, however, I have seen
> > some converted DeLoreans in Australia which were all very professionally
> > done.
>
> If I had to convert one, I'd want it done in Oz - there are numerous
companies
> who specialise in this because of your laws on LHD cars. Here in the UK
it's
> not mandators, but the one car I've seen that's a post conversion cost
> 5000pounds excluding tax and ISN'T as well done as the factory ones,
though
> it's pretty close!
>
> Any more questions, please contact me,
>
> Best Wishes,
>
> Martin
> DeLorean Owners Club UK
> http://www.delorean.co.uk
>
>
>
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