MG lhd conversion?

[Bones]

Aloha.

I'm trying to find information on a left hand drive conversion for a rhd mgb (rubber bumper model).

So far I've come if with: Cowl, steering rack, er...

[blink]

Has anybody on here performed a conversion like this?

Any MG experts? (I'm clueless, but I know a good mechanic!).

Cheers,

Steve.

[sid]

Why? I can't think of anything more fruitless. Why not just keep it rhd and maintain its value? Any conversion is going to knock loads off the price.

Sid

[Bones]

I'm not so sure about that, Sid.

Granted, smaller classics aren't exactly crying out for conversions of this sort, but it's a safer drive and the French certainly don't like rhd cars, so resale value would most likely be improved.

Obviously I wouldn't dream of doing this to a Ferrari, but an MG? Why not!

I've seen one for a good price in France, rhd, and was just wondering how difficult it might be.

[dave21478]

The whole "why" thing was done to death on another thread about a guy and a fiesta.

If he wants to, then why not?

 

I know nothing much about MG`s, but have converted a few other cars to LHD.

As a general guide....

Steering rack, column mountings, cowlings, dashboard (possibly just sections depending on the dash design), possibly pedal box, possibly mountings for brake maste cylinder / servo.

May need different length cable for accelerator, or clutch (or moved reservoir and different plumbing if its a hydraulic clutch) some wiring may need extended for the dash guages etc, may need a different length speedo cable. Headlights will need changed obviously too.

 

Normally, I source my parts for conversions from scrapyards, but your car isnt common here so you may need to buy new parts. MG parts availability I believe is excellent, so Im sure many of the specialists will be able to supply replacement components in LHD versions.

 

[Will]

The reverse conversion used to be commonly carried out, with rust-free lhd vehicles from the USA being changed to rhd. So it must be feasiible, and as already said, there are plenty of specialist parts suppliers.

If going to those lengths, it may be worth considering a rebuild into a new lhd body.

 

 

[Anton Redman]

Steering rack, windscreen wiper drive, instrument panel. dash board, pedal box part wiring loom. It works for the cheap and simple like a 2CV or a mini or the expensive at minimum an E type. It is feasable but not financially viable IMHO for any thing less than .....

Used to own a very well tuned MG 1300, great fun pulling out of London at 6:15 am going North and watch somebody discover their Ford Granada was not that fast. Down side was oil change and greasing every 2,500 miles and I cannot believe how often I rebrazed to LCB. Midas with Jack Knight 5 speed box was even more fun .  

[Bob T]

Do MGs have RHD wipers? I know that all Morris Marinas and Itals, even Uk ones, had LHD wipers and the MGB is only a Morris Marina with different engine after all!

[Anton Redman]

Get your chronology right. An MGB is as Austin Cambridge or Morris Oxford Convertable/Coupe and arrived in 1963 . A Marina is a Morris Minor slightly redesigned to take the B series engine and launched in about 1967 whose only claim to engineering innovation was that the two door had the same front doors as the four door. The Marina TC had the MGB lump fitted as standard. As a further problem the shells were so weak that there was no diesel version because the Perkins engine as used in the MGB saloon shook the shell to pieces in 15000 miles and the Motor long term road test car needed an after market sun roof to restore/instill enough rigidity to stop the screen cracking every 5000 miles.

I will await the hate Email from MG fans but me pre Hitler war Rileys and any Lancias leave them for dead.

[sid]

Steve

I was an MG owner years ago, TA and TD, so not quite the same as the later MGBs as far as authenticity worries are concerned. What bothers me about tackling this conversion is getting it right so that a future buyer is not put off by the possibly amateurish work. Maybe you're not going to sell it, in which case that's fine, go ahead and have a go. In any case it's your car and your decision! [:)]

The pedal box and steering rack are obvious items. On some models the rack can just be turned around; I don't know about the B. Then there's the dashboard. I'm pretty sure that there's a different wiring loom for the lhd version, so yes, you could extend the wires but wouldn't that be pretty naff? The whole thing just seems too much work for little result. I've seen French registered MGBs with rhd, not many I admit, but then I haven't seen too many lhd ones either. Is it really safer to drive lhd in a car like that? Would you be doing a great mileage? What's the risk? How do the statistics stack up for Brits driving over here on holiday? I think on the whole it's safe enough.

If it were me I'd keep it as it is.

Sid

[jxedwards]

Had a Moggie 1000 Traveller converted to LHD. Really easy just 135 pounds for new steering rack, extended a few wires, and the moved pedals and the floor pan already had the mounting threads from new. Easy as the dash has central speedo.

I do not believe that the car has been devalued as the Retro Assurance people agreed with my valuation.

I am assuming MG's do not have central instrumenst so yes that could be an issue.

Try the MG owners club they probably have a Forum like this. I got my infor from several Moggie 1000 websites.

 

John

[sid]

John

Best suggestion so far, MG Owners Club ! [I] They must have members who have done this L-R and R-L !!

Sid 

[tracteurtom]

If you can get the parts and its something that you really want to do then go for it.  But I suspect parts will be hens teeth and in the end what do you achieve ?

It it were me, I'd swap it for a little Mazda.  MGs are just crap by comparison (seriously  !).   But then, this is the French Forum and not the MGB owners forum, so you asked for it LOL !

[dave21478]

 I said, Im not up on MG`s, but I would magine parts availability is similar to whats available to the classic Mini scene.

Im sure somewhere like MGPartsUK would be able to supply the parts you need, or even British motor heritage. Their website www.bmh-ltd.com is pretty good.

If you are buying new, Id bet it will be cheaper to get LHD parts sent from UK than to buy them here. Used LHD parts Im sure could be tracked down through a French owners club.