Apart from cherrying out a Ford Mustang, it is difficult for the purist to imagine anybody tampering with the iconic little pony. But that is just what some people do when they have a Ford Mustang right hand drive conversion. When a car owner gets a job or marries someone in a country where they drive on the left-hand side of the road, it can be a choice between having the car converted or leaving it behind.
The 'Stang, or "pony car, " was introduced to the American market early in 1964, earning it the model designation 1964-1/2. It apparently filled a large gap in the market and spawned a fleet of copycats; namely, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Pontiac Firebird, the Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda, and the AMC Javelin. The basic pony car vibe is a sports car-cum-coupe with a short rear deck and a long front. This peppy little Ford has also been blamed for inspiring the Ford Capri and Toyota Celica, now iconic vehicles in their own right.
The conversion of a pony car from left-hand drive (or normal) to a right-hand drive (basically, British and colonial) is far more complicated than, say, a simple gender reassignment. Five major panels on the car need to be removed. All of the original spot welds are drilled out and replaced with RHD factory-stamped panels.
Once the panels are out of the way, the instrument bezel, dash pod, and dash trim can be installed. Some people find that installing a rack and pinion, either manual or power, makes the car easier to handle. Countries where driving on the left is the norm include a few in southeast Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (this includes England, Scotland, and Wales).
As to whether it is a good idea to convert your 'Stang, there are pros and cons. On the "pro" side, changing to RHD makes for easier and safer overtaking on single carriageway roads. Also, if you are a guy, you are placed on the correct side of the road when chatting to girls at traffic lights.
Opponents also argue that making the conversion will adversely affect the car's resale value. They say it really isn't that difficult to driving an LHD car on the right-hand side of the road. You may scrape your knuckles on the inside of the door when looking for the gear shift or emergency brake, but you soon outgrow it.
The Australian federal government regulates such major automotive surgery as the RHD conversion via its Vehicle Safety Act and the National Code of Practices. Before you commit yourself to the operation, it pays to look into whether similar protective legislation applies in the country to where you are moving.
To convert or not to convert is not a decision to take lightly. It's not like you can easily convert back if it turns out you don't like it. Whatever you do, treat your 'Stang with respect and she will reward you with years of faithful service.
The 'Stang, or "pony car, " was introduced to the American market early in 1964, earning it the model designation 1964-1/2. It apparently filled a large gap in the market and spawned a fleet of copycats; namely, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Pontiac Firebird, the Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda, and the AMC Javelin. The basic pony car vibe is a sports car-cum-coupe with a short rear deck and a long front. This peppy little Ford has also been blamed for inspiring the Ford Capri and Toyota Celica, now iconic vehicles in their own right.
The conversion of a pony car from left-hand drive (or normal) to a right-hand drive (basically, British and colonial) is far more complicated than, say, a simple gender reassignment. Five major panels on the car need to be removed. All of the original spot welds are drilled out and replaced with RHD factory-stamped panels.
Once the panels are out of the way, the instrument bezel, dash pod, and dash trim can be installed. Some people find that installing a rack and pinion, either manual or power, makes the car easier to handle. Countries where driving on the left is the norm include a few in southeast Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (this includes England, Scotland, and Wales).
As to whether it is a good idea to convert your 'Stang, there are pros and cons. On the "pro" side, changing to RHD makes for easier and safer overtaking on single carriageway roads. Also, if you are a guy, you are placed on the correct side of the road when chatting to girls at traffic lights.
Opponents also argue that making the conversion will adversely affect the car's resale value. They say it really isn't that difficult to driving an LHD car on the right-hand side of the road. You may scrape your knuckles on the inside of the door when looking for the gear shift or emergency brake, but you soon outgrow it.
The Australian federal government regulates such major automotive surgery as the RHD conversion via its Vehicle Safety Act and the National Code of Practices. Before you commit yourself to the operation, it pays to look into whether similar protective legislation applies in the country to where you are moving.
To convert or not to convert is not a decision to take lightly. It's not like you can easily convert back if it turns out you don't like it. Whatever you do, treat your 'Stang with respect and she will reward you with years of faithful service.
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