LHD Conversion - to Aust standards
 

Just a quick query for any aussies out there...or anybody with an idea for that matter. Approximately how much would it cost to get a car converted [944 NA, S, or 951] from left to right hand drive and who could I contact to get it done?

Obviously this isn't a simple process but is it overly expensive and would the price be reduced if I source some of the parts myself?

Cheers

They did build RHD 944s.

I realise that but I'm just weighing up a few options. Many left hand versions imported to Australia are about half the price of their right-hand counterparts. Just wondering if a conversion is a feasible option or a stupid idea.

Check with Swan parts in Perth WA., there is a link to them in the
newzealand /australia forum. they will probably tell you dont bother
as there are plenty of rhd 944's on the local market.
the lhd imports are for the spare part market and track cars.
btw, you will need a few spare grand to keep a cheap 944 on the road
good luck
Russell

I cant see this being cheap at all. Ignoring the cost of parts, the shear cost of labour time will be painfull to say the least. The easiest way to reduce the cost would be to do the work your self.

Also if you go for the most basic spec pre 1985.5 models (ie no power steering and air con), these will be the simplest to convert. Porsche didnt even bother to change the wipers for RHD on the early cars so there is one immediate area you've just saved time and efort on !

I got a quote on doing this from a guy in Melbourne (can't recall his name off the top of my head -- sorry) who said he had the experience and contacts (to source the parts) to do a LHD -> RHD 944 conversion. He quoted about $15,000.- IIRC.

I had a beautiful, rare colour LHD 944 in the US that I dearly wanted to bring back with me to Oz, but it turned out to be too difficult. Apart from the financial equation not working out (even after spending all that money it would never be worth as much as a genuine Oz delivered 944), I had a horror of the car being butchered -- and all the heartbreak and arguments that could lead to.

So I sold her in the US and bought an S2 when I got to Oz. (Still miss her, though... *sniff*)

-Mark