Right Hand Drive Vehicles in the US

[NZRodder]

Hi guys, As you may know I'm in New Zealand, I was wondering what is the legalities of a RHD car in the US? Also what is the desirability factor for somthing different like that. The reason I am asking is I was thinking of possibly selling my t-bucket in the US as I just glanced on ebay and saw them going for the 10-12K mark (in US$ that works out good for me) Even if I take into consideration the shipping costs it still seems a good way possibly of getting good money for my car. I have another project which I really want to start but because I have a single car garage and not heapso moolah I will have to sell the old before getting into the new. Thanks heaps for any suggestions/advice you guys have.

[abe lugo]

Works out good if your the postman or give parking tickets!!
But really I think there are special rules, might also depend on state to state laws, but nothing impossible

[gotcha]

As far a as the legal issues go, there is nothing illegal about driving a RHD vehicle in the states...As for someone wanting a RHD T, you just have to find the right person I guess...

JP

[Greezy]

Trailer Ed has a RHD Anglia I dont think he has any problems,besides people looking at him strange...but that might not be because of the car. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[metalshapes]

Don't you guys have to put a big sticker on the back of your cars to warn other motorists when you are driving a LHD car?
I saw that on Speedvision.
Or was that a different country? Anyway... We don't have that here...
I talked to a guy with a RHD Ford Pop this weekend.
He lived in England for a couple of years ( Army I think ).
Cool car, IFS built with Cortina parts, etc...

[burndup]

My at-the-time GF refused to ride in my LHD mail jeep, after unknowingly putting her side of the jeep over the yellow a couple times when making right turns, she was convinced I was trying to kill her.

MWUHAHAHAHAAA!

Bitch, only bought that POS cause she liked it... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[autocol]

a while back john taverna drove an XA falcon coupe from LA to a new york mad max fan's house... he musta gone through about 15 states.

so i guess i'm just adding to the "yes, it's legal" pile.

[oldandkrusty]

Well, I don't really know the desirability of owning and driving a right hand drive vehicle here in the states, but I can relate to you a story about my friend Dave Ryan, who brought his '46 Chev Ute to the US fromm Australia. Dave and his wife decided to bring their car here to sell, but really to drive from California to all points East and then back again. If they sold the car, they would be happy as their trip was paid for. If not, oh well. The Ute was a really well constructed and very dependable car as evidenced by the fact that they DID drive from the left coast to the right coast and then back again. Everyone really liked the car, but the fact that it w http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gifas right hand drive caused more than a little consternation. Driving on the wrong side of the road is just plain wrong. Consequently, it took Dave quite a little while to sell his car. In fact, when he drove it back to California, he stored it for a while before he did sell it. So, while you may have a very nice car, I would say that the right-hand steering setup will be a big drawback. Just my opinion.
However, if you do get to the States and get to upstate NY, give me a holler. I'll show the substantial goings-on here in Western NY. Remember, come in our summer-it's cold and snowy here in winter. Plus, I'll be in Florida-where it's warm!!!

[Nads]

I've had two RHD '63 Ford Consul Capris in America. There are no rules about driving such cars here. I also never had any problems.
One of the Capris had a pair of hideous high back bucket seats so consequently you couldn't see the driver or where he was unless you pulled up alongside. I had a big red Viszla at the time, he's dead now God bless him, but everytime that dog rode with me it looked like he was the driver. That got some laughs.
I almost thought about making my '34 RHD but the truth of the matter is it's really hard to sell a RHD car. Even pedigreed cars like Jags and Rolls are worth a lot less when they're RHD.

[The37Kid]

NZ, If my daughter can drive a motorhome around that great countryside of yours a RHD T bucket in the States shouldn't be a problem. I hope the new owner here in the States has the good since to provide his passenger with a spair steering wheel. Nothing gets your attention like a guy tossing a steering wheel around at speed!

[hotrodladycrusr]

A buddy of mine in CA has a RHD Ute that he drove from CA to Michigan and back without any legal problems at all. An Australian car such as a Ute would be a very unusual car here therefore desirable and fetch a decent amount but a t-bucket is not a novality here so I can't imagine a RHD bucket being anything more then a hendrance to sell.

Advertise it first in mags such as GG Gazette, NSRA's Streetscene, and on line just to see if you can generate any interest and what you might be able to get for it. Then you can see if it might be worth the extra effort and hassles.

[Big A]

Likewise for Canada. I know plenty of guys driving RHD British cars and there are no specific laws or regulations. My father drove a RHD 1946 MGTC for 15 years.

The real issue would be the car itself.

[Big A]

Have you looked into Europe? Japan? Prices are higher there, the car is more desireable there, and the RHD/LHD issue may not be an issue.

Just a thought.

[38Chevy454]

Japan is RHD. I agree with most of the statements already, the RHD in a T-bucket is probably a hindrance rather than a help to sell it in a LHD area.

[wingnutz]

[ QUOTE ]
I almost thought about making my '34 RHD but the truth of the matter is it's really hard to sell a RHD car. Even pedigreed cars like Jags and Rolls are worth a lot less when they're RHD.

[/ QUOTE ]

No price break on the RHD GT40..., Still $500K http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Daisyduke]

In England it doesn't seem to matter where the steering wheel is as long as it's got an MOT and the horn works http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Personally i don't think it should matter what side the steering wheel is (although most people over here tend to build them left handed.)as long as it looks good.

If i lived in the states i would probably but it just to be different but then that's me.

Daisyduke http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[DrJ]

It only applied to cars that are now "older" but I think the only restriction on right hand dive was/is that if the driver sits too far from the left door to make hand signals on the left side of the car, the car must be equipt with either manual (semaphore) or flashing light turn signals. I forget what year turn signals becasme required but it was some time in the middle fifties.

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
If i lived in the states i would probably but it just to be different but then that's me.


[/ QUOTE ]

If you want to be different, then why the mainstream conformist paint job on the truck? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Nads]

Well yeah wingnutz there are exceptions, the GT40 for sure and Ferraris too. Tons of old Ferraris were RHD. Does anyone know the reason why?

[DrJ]

I think it may have to do with the pitsbeing on the right at LeMans and other tracks and they want to be able to talk to the driver and change drivers without having them get out on the traffic side. Maybe?
The "Roadsters" at indy had the driver offset to the right but it was because they were front engine rear drive and they put the relatively heavy engine on the inside of the turn and the driver outboard of the driveshaft. Always a left turn of course.

[Tman]

You can order Jeeps and subarus that way. Rural Postal carriers mainly buy em.

[Daisyduke]

Ernie

[ QUOTE ]
mainstream conformist paint job on the truck?


[/ QUOTE ]

I knew that colour was too boring http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif but taildraggin insisted! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Daisyduke http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Alfster]

<font color="red"> This is basically the reverse of what we do here in NZ by driving LHD vehicles. I have owned many LHD vehicles in NZ and find no problems with them. Some vehicles that are imported to NZ such as muscle cars in fact lose value if they are converted to RHD. The Muscle car Club doesn't allow membership to RHD vehicles.

The37Kid
Your idea of the second steering wheel was used at the recent Beach Hop on an old American hot rod. The second steering column was fitted and the passenger 'steered' as well as the driver. Real funny to watch. </font>

[cleatus]

Friends recently bought a 34 Chevy coupe that was RHD.

They got it dirt cheap.

Everything about the car was really nice/solid/clean but the previous owner had trouble selling it because of the RHD so he had to sell cheap.

Add to that the expense of shipping your bucket to the states and I don't think you'll be coming out ahead for all your troubles.

[RotHod]

Right hand drive...looks cool to me I just cant shift worth a damn with my left hand!!

[NZRodder]

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking it may be the opposite of what it is here, As Alfster says LHD American Iron IS more desirable when it stays LHD, even LHD 57 Chevys etc are more sought after than a factory original NZ assembled RHD equivalent. It was just that I was thinking because it is different (even moreso in the US than in NZ because LHD vehicles are getting reasonably common here) that it may make it more desirable.

Thats OK I might see whats up in the Japanese market cos we have boatloads of Japanese imports coming here all the time and I think the boats go back mostly empty. Cheap freight maybe?

Anyway I guess I should really sell it in NZ cos it would be cool to see how someone transforms it into their own image, and see it at Hod Rod runs etc.

I spose that brings up another question, Has anyone here got horror stories of people buying their old car and seeing it destroyed. This is only my first Hot-Rod, and only my second piece of American Iron. My old Impala I saw at the Beachhop, for the first time since I sold it, in Whangamata a couple weeks ago and it is looking exactly as I had it but the tear in the seat has been repaired.

Once again thanks for the advice.

Chris

[SimonSez]

Have you thought about selling it to Australia ??

T-buckets seem to go for quite good dollars in Australia and the shipping is quite reasonable. You would need to check out the registration situation though, as they seem to be more restrictive than NZ on scratch built cars.

[oldandkrusty]

I agree that from a legal standpoint, there is no problem driving a right hand drive car here in the States. However, certain technicalities make for some really exciting and dangerous times. I know from experience that pulling up behind big trucks, vans, both big and small, and any other vehicle that generally blocks your view ahead is a real CHALLENGE. Remember that you are now on the curb side of the road as the driver and, in order to pass, you need to move over far enough to see if it is clear. Well, guess what, by the time you manuever over far enough you are already smack dab in the middle of on-coming traffic! It can be quite thrilling-for both you and the oncoming driver. Other than that, no problem. Incidentally, one thing I did learn from my Aussie mates which was really helpful-"Bitch in the ditch." Think about it! You will stay on the right side of the road when making turns at an intersection. Worked for me.

[Nads]

We had this contracted rural postal delivery person, back when Osceola county really was cowsville, who drove a LHD vehicle from the right hand side!!!! It was damn scary watching her delivering the mail stretched clean across the bench seat, torso here, legs and arms over there.
I dunno if she ever had any accidents.