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Got a line on two VW chassis (pans). One is a RH drive version. Wondering what everyone’s thoughts were about going with a RH version of the TD. Wasn’t the original TD in Great Britain a RH drive version? Anyone know of vehicle registration problems with a RH drive version?
Thanks for any thoughts and help.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackAllen, Here are my thoughts and I hope they will be of help to you.
Yes the TD was a right hand drive car but they were designed in a country where they drive on the ”wrong” side of the road. I think it would be awkward here in the USA.I get a funny feeling when I see a mail carrier in a right hand drive vehicle even tho I know it is easier for them to reach the mail boxes.
Check out DavidP’s photo gallery .The steering wheel is not visable in the pictures but the master cylinder and battery locations are in reversed positions from other replicas.This is the only TD replica I have ever seen with rt. hand drive.
Depending on the design of your front fenders and the front splash pan,you could run into problems with clearence for the steering box.
I’d go with left hand drive just for driving ease. (Just try passing a farm tractor or something with the steering wheel on the right). You may also run into trouble with the steering box cover on your kit, which expects the gear to be on the left and so is relieved for it. I expect you’d have to make a new one to fit the right if you go with your plan, which should not be too terribly difficult. There are probably other things that won’t line up & that you’d have to fabricate or work around.
It’d look pretty cool though!
And yes, the TDs in GB (and I think Australia, NZ, etc.) were right hand drive. And I think ALL the TCs were right-drive. But TDs and TFs sent stateside and to the continent (more than 30,000 of them, all told), had the steering wheel on the proper side. I expect that among TDs, right drive is rarer than left.
I second the above Allen.
Most kits were designed for a left hand drive chassis. The differences would create enormous challenges to mounting a left hand kit on a right hand chassis.
Adding to what Larry and Ed wrote, chances are you would also haveto fabricate a firewall. And obviously your dash would have to be hand made.
Bottom line to me…if you want to go right hand drive, you need to find a kit designed for that.
And add the challenge of driving our roads from the wrong side of the car. I’ve done that in reverse on some Carribbean islands, where they drive on the left side of the road, but have a lot of left hand drive rental cars.
Stay to the right and drive from the left. In the long run, you will be much happier.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
After some more thought and your comments I can see its best to stick with LH drive. Main reason is way to much fabrication effort moving the battery box and gas tank housing to the other side. That’s way more than I want to handle. So the chassis search continues. The one LH I found didn’t have the engine. I’ll keep hunting and find a decent chassis. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackGood luck. Remember too, engines are plentiful and easy to get or build. And transaxles are $600 for the stock ones, rebuilt.
It was listed in the Samba but is no longer there. Either someone bought it or the owner just gave up on selling it. Sorry about that. It had a dark blue body, was in a garage and was located within 500 miles from 31008. That’s how I’ve hunted for the chassis I need. Got a good 71 donor car.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackAllen, I may have a lead on a running sand rail up here in Dayton. Last I heard he wanted 1500 for it. All I remember is it had a 1600 duel port engine. Let me know if you want me to check it further. Montie
Thanks Montie but I have the chassis I need. Going to pull the body off this weekend and sand blast the chassis before I start the pedal and shifter mod.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack
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