RH Drive Model A
 

I'm looking at a '30 right hand drive model A Touring. Older restoration, runs good, very good top and seats with side curtains. Pretty solid car. What is a reasonable price? This car came up from Argentina. Any parts problems with right hand drive cars? Thanks for any information.

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

There are problems with some parts. The vendors seem to be unaware of the existence of RHD Model As. Some of the things you won't get that spring to mind are :

• Pedal shaft ( RHD are 1" dia, not 7/8") and pedal bushes although it has been suggested that gudgeon bushes will do the trick
• The pedal stop on the end of the shaft (1", remember)
• Clutch lever on the lower shaft (modify a LHD one)
• the bell crank for the ignition timing and for that matter, the inlet manifold itself
• Pitman arm
• Steering arms
• Brake cross shaft
• Bell housing
• The mechanism that bolts to the back of the block to operate the starter
• The throttle mechanism that clamps to the steering column.
• Stop light switch (you'll have to graft in a LHD one)
  All of the control rods for timing and throttle.

Most of those things can be reconditioned by the same people as do the LD parts, just no prompt exchange. Parts venders in RHD countries carry some of those parts specially made for their market and Sammy Guthrie in Arizona (Arizona Model A) keeps quite a few RHD components including steering box worm and sector etc. The wiring loom need slight modification. It you use a LHD one and flip it over, you need to lengthen the horn wires and allow for the tail and stop lights.
It's not as bad as all that. We manage!
It's difficult to give an idea on price because we are in different markets. What is the owner asking?

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

He mentioned 9K.

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

My only problem with the RHD As I have driven is the centre gas pedal, find it uncomfortable holding my right leg over towards it. Of course that's the British built version, the Argentine version may have a normal right hand pedal

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

All RHD cars have the gas pedal in the middle . Many English cars of other makes in this time had this setup as well so Ford just followed suite . I have RHD and LHD cars on the road and have no problem switching car to car . The RHD has the adjustable foot rest as the LHD just pivot your foot as LHD very comfortable no problem . I have seen some cars here where drastic surgery such as heating and bending pedals to put the gas pedal to the right a waste of time in my view . Driving a LHD car in RHD country is no problem you do need good mirrors, one slight disadvantage is pulling out from behind a vehicle to overtake but this is seldom as I am way slower and everybody passes me !!! There should be no problem with spare parts new repro parts for the steering boxes are held by most all vendors . The steering arms can be reballed and all other steering are the same track rod ends etc etc . The Pitman arm can be heated and twisted to get correct ball alignment this has been many times and I have never heard of any failures but it is easier to reball an original . You just need to extend the horn wire the rest of the harness is the same it just runs down the right frame rail no problem . The 30/31 brake light switch is frame mounted and is the same as LHD the holes are in the frame to mount it . The 28/29 switch on RHD is bolted to the frame not the trans top .I cant remember but I think I have used a LHD one and fitted it to the trans top upside down I must lift a floor board and see what I did a long time ago now . Please do not convert it to LHD it is just not worth the bother IMHO .The 9K price is very fair if it was for sale in UK at that price it would be snapped up in an instant . As it is from South America it might look good but as most are could be mechanically shot from front to back so beware . Anyway all parts are available and the pedal shaft, collar and bushes are easily made .Make sure it has all its RHD parts if it is a driver it should have .

John in lovely sunny morning morning Suffolk County England .

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

Living here in the land of LHD, I admit to having never seen a RHD Model A. Could one of you gentlemen provide a photo of what a RHD car looks like from the point of view of the driver? You know, where the choke, gas pedal, clutch and brake Pedals are located? I would assume that the gear shift lever is the same as LHD, but you would use your left hand to shift it? Thanks. Just curious.

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

I have the same car and love it. 9k is truly a gift. buy it and drive it like you stole it!

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

Mike Peters.....here is a pic of a RHD Model A I am looking at seriously. I am wondering if there is a source for a front floormat for these cars as this one is obviously missing it.

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

Jeff: Thanks for the photo! Unless it's an optical illusion, the emergency brake handle is to the left of the gear shift lever? The gas pedal is between the clutch and brake pedals. You could use either foot for that? The starter switch pedal is sort of in the middle? How does that hook up to the starter? Levers? What really looks handy is the choke/GAV. I've startled more than one passenger when I reached over to adjust the fuel mixture with our left hand car. Ladies especially can become very uncomfortable with that arrangement.

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

Mike, the car I am looking at is a mid 1928.....note the red steering wheel. My only hesitation on this car is all four fenders are ‘glass.

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

RHD starter pedal setup

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8bfc6cc1_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kFNxzZ]

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

Early cars had the hand brake lever ahead of the shifter so the transmission top is the same for both LHD and RHD . Later RHD cars the handbrake lever is to the left of the shifter as LHD is to the right . So there is a RHD trans top and a LHD trans top. The starter has a bracket bolted to the upper two bolts of the flywheel housing a linkage operates the operation maybe my son can post a pic (I dont have the technology !!!

John in Suffolk County England .

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

There is a LHD trans top and a RHD trans top for the later cars so the hand brake is away from the shifter . The earlier cars the hand brake was in the regular position ahead of the shifter . The starter is operated using a bracket and linkage bolted to the upper two flywheel housing bolts .

John in same place same weather .

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

The board would not accept my first post and said try again ,so I did .

Still John

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

I cut my own from reinforced rubber sheeting I buy. I believe the Model A Ford Club of South Australia make repro mats.

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

RHD chassis

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

Mine had a bad 2nd gear. Fella who works on my cars took out the guts from a LHD trans I gave him and everything fit perfectly.


these really arent that complicated. When I bought mine, was going to switch it to LHD but never bothered as its great fun the way it is.


9K is silly money for a phaeton.

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

Thank you for posting your picture, I've never seen a RHD in person.

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

I’ve always thought it was interesting how there are holes for a steering box on both right and left frame rails. Thought it would be cool to make my own right hand drive one day. Just because it would be something different. Seems like a handful of modifications that wouldn’t be too terribly difficult. Thanks fo the information guys

Re: RH Drive Model A
 

Where were the right hand drive cars built?