What do you make of this car?

[M2M]

What do you guys make of this RHD Model A that's currently for sale?

see:

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/...a/1672781.html

[Patrick L.]

Well, it sure takes a pretty picture.

[M2M]

Oh, I forgot to ask. What's the reason why RHD Model As received a different pedal layout? Can it be easily changed to the modern layout LHD cars received?

[d.]

What sort of top irons are on this car? They look like 30-31 Deluxe roadster irons with the flat strap iron and wood cladding.
Is this something particular to an Australian phaeton perhaps?

[Hoogah]

The advert is silent about the engine - may or may not be significant. Rest of car appears to have been given a good resto - at least that is how it appears from the photos. Pity about the fake bullet holes in the back - doesn't really go with the flavour of the restoration. I guess they're just decals though.
You'll probably get several replies telling you about the two blade fan.
The interior is well presented, except that the side curtain tray in the floor appears to have been done away with during the restoration. (My early '28 phaeton has one and I presume this feature was retained through '29?). Also, the fuel shut off valve appears to be leaking?
With regard to the pedal layout - do you mean the positioning of the accelerator in between clutch and brake pedals? I reckon you'll adapt to that easily after about one drive! Once I jump into my Model A after driving my modern manual car, I don't even think about it.
Price wise, I reckon you could get an equivalent car here in Oz for around the same money, without having the added cost of bring it here, if you're prepared to be patient.

[wrndln]

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It isn't easy to convert a RHD to a LHD. It is not just the steering column and the clutch and brake pedals. The spark and gas control rods need to be changed as well as a number of other items like the accelerator assembly and gas tank. It is definitely easier, however, to convert a RHD to a LHD as the LHD parts are more available here in the US than doing a LHD to RHD conversion.
Rusty Nelson

[M2M]

Hoogah, yes I mean the positioning of the accelerator in between clutch and brake pedals. That's a big issue for me because I want to be able to let other people (non-Model A people) drive the car without fear they will crash and kill themselves.

I want RHD but don't want the pedal layout you get with a RHD Model A. So can the RHD Model A pedal layout be changed without converting the car to LHD?

[pooch]

There is not much room between brake pedal and kick panel. for a go pedal.

Although there is plenty of width between clutch and brake.

You could bend the brake pedal over to the left a bit and shorten the arm, so it is the same height and move and adapt your go pedal and linkage to the right .

Would be much easier to drive on long trips.

The RHD go pedal gets a bit of a chore on the right foot after a while.

At least you can use left foot or hand throttle for a bit of rest.

[mshmodela]

Nice but no shocks...

[Tim Armstrong]

My 29 phaeton has the curtain box under the front seat.

[Gyrodoc]

Needs Black Fenders.

[Synchro909]

I've converted LHD to RHD and there even more things to be changed than have been mentioned here. The bell housing, pedals (RHD are on a 1" shaft and different shape), clutch linkage, footbrake cross shaft, wiring loom, steering box, the clamp on accelerator mechanism and pedal will have to go and the arms on the front axle. There is also the mechanism that goes behind the engine for the starter (similar to the LHD throttle linkage) and the toe board part of the floor. If it has only one tail light, you'll have to switch that and the wiper and change the rear vision mirror. If you are going to LHD, you will get away with the same inlet manifold but not the other way. I didn't change the fuel tank, just cut off the brackets underneath for choke rod and steering column support. I made a bracket that bolts up under the dash rather like Ford used in 1931 (no model A's came to Oz in 1931) The rod that goes to the carb is a different length so you'll have to change that but if you are going to LHD, that is available. At least if you go LHD, the manifold clamp for the exhaust is easy.
There's probably something I have forgotten but that is the guts of it.
I figure that if millions of people over the years have driven these cars with the proper pedal layout, why can't we?
I'd leave it alone. Either leave the pedal where they are or leave the car where it is. By the time you allow the exchange rate and the cost of landing it here, you'll buy one just as good for many thousands less and you have the advantage of being able to look before you buy.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I once had a R.H.D, 1939 M.G. Tickford, with a Jaguar XK-120 engine & trans & it was quite easy to learn to drive it safely.
I once flipped a pic of it & told folks, "See my LEFT ear in the pic? well, it's really my RIGHT ear"
I wonder if tricks like this is why NO one ever comes over & rarely call???
Met a man at the re-hab that had a 1"X1" square missing from the middle of his R/H ear??? He & I discovered we knew a lot of the same people! Wonder if his GIRLFRIEND has SQUARE dentures or a square paper punch??
Bill W.

[Brother Hesekiel]

This car is as far away from "mint" condition as Earth from the nearest galaxy. I do like the leather and the wood floors though . . .

[Clem Clement]

There are a lot of "ain't rights." But it is a very nice looker and if it preforms well and you like it and you have the Coins...

Do you have a contact who can go see the vehicle?

[Purdy Swoft]

I've never had much interest in a RHD car, too much stuff to change and a lot of parts to buy. Then, there is the twenty three thousand dollar price. You could buy a pretty good left hand drive phaeton for that .

[pooch]

And one that doesn't look like shiny primer.

[Purdy Swoft]

There is a lot of stuff to undo besides the steering and related parts if you want a correct appearing model A

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

There is a lot of stuff to undo besides the steering and related parts if you want a correct appearing model A

Purdy, Two things from your post:

• The car was most likely made this way so nothing would be "undone".
• How would a RHD car not be "a correct appearing model A" (not that this car looks correct as it is)?

Up till Henry released the Model T in 1909, ALL American cars were RHD.

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

Purdy, Two things from your post:

• The car was most likely made this way so nothing would be "undone".
• How would a RHD car not be "a correct appearing model A" (not that this car looks correct as it is)?

Up till Henry released the Model T in 1909, ALL American cars were RHD.

I was thinking about the colors, upholstery, windshield stantions, running board step plates and stuff like that. I really don't know anything about the Australian model A's. I guess I was thinking about the U.S.A model A's and spoke too Quickly. Sorry, no harm meant. If you like it and feel that it is a good deal, buy it.