Bits to convert excel RHD to LHD

[biggles001]

Hi everyone,
Don't like starting a new forum witha wanted but cant seem to find parts.

Basically I am looking for a winter project and have already asked for some more info from aacouple of cars posted here. My problem is that I live in the south of France and already have a RHD car and find it a bit of a pain to drive. I am looking for the parts to convert RHD Excel to LHD

I haven't trawled the FAQ section or technical but I am sure I am nt the first to have this idea.

Thanks in advance

Steve

[robertverhey]

I think it would be a very complex conversion, involving dash, loom, heater, steering gear.....and that's assuming the RHD and Lhd shells are adaptable to this conversion....

Excels were produced for European LHD countries though not in huge numbers (as the USA wasn't a target market), they do come up occasionally....would it be better to wait until one comes up?

Robert

[biggles001]

Thanks for the feed back. LHD models available in Europe fetch silly money and the one I looked at was ready for a complete rebuild.
Spent a bit too much money on my last car CATERHAM R500 and so had to srink the budget a bit (lots actaully). Even late cars in the UK are cheap and I am not scared to have a go. If the worst comes to it I could always leave it RHD.

I am learning fast.

Steve

[STELL]

I've sent a link of this to a man who has a car to pick the parts you need
If you send me your emailadress i can forward it to him
and you might get a decent deal at the parts you need

[biggles001]

Hi Stell,

Thanks and I have sent a PM with the email address.

So apart from the obvious dash, steering rack etc can you experts give me an idea of what other parts I require?

Does he have the early or later models?

Cheers

Steve

[don.hasi]

A german colleague has done it. Must be a horrible job to do... And he wouldn't do it again IIRC.

Staying RHD is not a possible theme for you? It is just a thing of a few weeks and you get used to it.

[RRHANS]

I think it is a huge job.
You would have to change the complete wiring loom, heating system, dash, steering system, pedalbox, brake system ....
I would buy a LHD and sell the RHD.
The price of the conversion and fabricated parts will cost the same in the end.

Most LHD cars are well looked after and have always been used as weekend cars since new.

[amarshall]

I think it is a huge job.
You would have to change the complete wiring loom, heating system, dash, steering system, pedalbox, brake system ....
I would buy a LHD and sell the RHD.
The price of the conversion and fabricated parts will cost the same in the end.

Most LHD cars are well looked after and have always been used as weekend cars since new.

This. 1000000% this.

Conversion is a MAJOR project and involves changing so much of the car that it's not economically viable. You need to change a whole load of stuff inside the dash to make room for the instruments and steering column + pedals, then you need to change the rack, , move master cylinders and servo, change throttle cable, speedo cable,- re-plumb heating, aircon etc. etc.

I'd suggest contacting someone like Bauke who may have a LHD car available.

[DavidOliver]

Hello Lads and Lassies, as resident in Spain some 25 years ago I turned a RHD Elite (2000cc) into a LHD, the main bit I needed was a LHD steering Rack ( non Power Steering) but I have read these can be obtained in Europe as they are not original Lotus (Ford??). The original electrical harness can be modified/extended by an enthusias t(with patience) and the pedal box only needs a handy welder with the original box as a mirror pattern.
The major difference Elite Excel is the instrument binnacle which is significantly handed in the Excel, you need to strip back to fibreglass and rebuild your boat.
I do not know sufficiently the Heater and A/C systems in the Excel to give an opinion, the Elite only with heating had no changes required.
The Elite body was designed for both LHD and RHD as the same unit.
These days the vehicle testing authorities in Europe are also very stringent, and you may find your converted car cannot get a test approval.
If you can find a LHD Excel Buy It, no matter what condition, a good one here in Spain goes for close to 20.000€.

[bauke]

Have here for sale a LHD. excel from 1983.
just from the 3th owner (and the owner before was his dad)
i overhauled the engine, and i did service on the car,
this car is for sale 10.000 euro...

i also had a excel that was build over from RHD. to LHD. it was done very good,
but it cost this guy many many money! so yess search for a LHD is the best option,

also soon for sale a Riviera LHD. 1982... (only 5 build...)

[Hawaiis0]

There is an early eclat LHD in poor condition for 10k USD on classic car.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C567479