Left to right hand drive in LA

[expat]

Ok..this is mad but bare with me.

I am finding it really hard to imagine separating with my 964 (aquired only a few months ago) when I make the move from Hong Kong to LA.

I've been nightly searching the net for comparable cars and cant find anything in Cali (which surprises me given the apparent no of P-cars there).

I love this car. Its has had so many mods (all top of the range) and from the dealer in ther past few years. This includes the 3.8 ltr motor, suspension, brakes, race seats, tower brace, wheels..yada yada......

While I do enjoy my '87 911 the a/c is just not up to scratch, I like the power steering the forgiveness of the 4wd and I like the more modern look of the 964. Attempting to get a pre 89 to match my current 964 would cost heaps. Updating to a 993 is iffy as I may just buy someone else problems and they are heavier again than my 964 and no more power (am I right on this?).

Could I have my 964 converted in California to left hand drive?
Would this be legal? What changes may I have to make to meet the stringent(?) regulations?
Any ideas on cost?

I saw a recent 911&P World magazine where they converted a 996 to rhd at a price of 5000Pounds but this did not include another estimated 3000Pounds in labor they got free of charge.
That translates to about US$10,000 which I'd have to pay way more for to get a stock 964 up to my current specs, or into the 993 ownership stakes (given that I'd still want to modify the 993 anyway.

I could probably get it shipped real cheap (maybe free) thru a friend who owns a shipping company so it would only be the cost of parts, labour and compliance I'd be looking at.

I'd welcome some opinions either way, as I am really unsure of what the cost would be and whether it would be possible at all.

Whether its sensible would be a personal decision but what would the $ and cents (not sense!) be?

Thanks
Mark

[CHILI]

Why not leave it right-hand-drive? I would think it would be kind-of a novelty in So-cal, as I see some bugs that are, and get attention because of it. Get some Euro plates and take it to some shows

The only reason I would ever change to left-hand-drive would be because I can't even imagine trying to shift with my right hand! How can you do that? I'd miss every shift

[jrdavid68]

I'd leave it RH drive too. There is an older gentleman in my 'hood that owns a very old RH drive bug, I think it's the coolest thing every time I see it.

I would think you will have more issues with getting it imported and having it smogged.

[TMH]

Mark,

Have no experience here, but I can't see how this would be cost effective in any manner. Also, the issue with mods versus the Cal. emissions laws might be a deal-breaker.

A lot of the threads I have read speak of the premium that RHD cars bring in the U.K. If you can't get an appropriate price in Aus/NZ, then maybe it would be worthwile for a buyer in the U.K to give you a better price, even with the shipping involved. If you could possibly get your buddy to give low/no cost shipping to Europe instead of California, you could get an even better price from a U.K. buyer.

I think either be happy with it as a RHD vehicle in California (if you can get it smogged), or sell it and start fresh. There are nice 964's available in Cal. and the Western U.S. (eg. Phoenix and Denver areas), but it just takes some time to find the right one.

Good luck,
Tom

[Fishcop]

Mark, just leave it with me here in Aus. I'll keep it clean until you return

[Adam]

Damn, John beat me to the offer!

[expat]

Thanks guys..pretty much what I expected especially from John and Adam

I'll try sell in Australia for a fair price hoping that I can get enough for an equal replacement in Cali.

.....This is pretty bizarre.....as I sit here typing this i have a call on the mobile from a guy looking to buy both my cars and send to Australia. Hope he has deep pockets!

Cheers
Mark

[Eric Mckenna]

show us a pic of this beast !! pulh-LEEEEZZ!

Eric

[scottb]

Take a deep breath, sell your cars, and then when you get to LA be patient. Somewhere in California or Arizona your next car awaits, it's only a matter of time before you find it.

I can imagine our friends at TRE would have a great time converting the car to a LH drive (if it's even possible), but I can't see how it could be done cost-effectively. Don't waste your time or money...

Let us know when you're in our fair city.

[MotoSook]

Hey Mark! Moving to the States! Yeah! Keep the car and drive it...it's legal or can be made legal without the RHD convert to LHD right?

Otherwise, just keep the engine!