I could have kept it Left Hand Drive and had it registered on a "Hobby" registration. As I want to be able to drive it whenever I want and also is easier to drive around as Right Hand Drive (RHD) I decided to go that way. There were RHD Impalas built in Canada in the late 60's and some of these were exported to Australia. I located a power steering box from one of these and also as these were a rear steer the chassis rails where the steering box and idler arm mount. The steering box I sent to DSE who then went to the Saginaw facility, searched part books etc and got some late model internals and rebuilt and upgraded box . As you can see box is a mirror copy of LHD Camaro box. We then grafted the mounting parts of chassis rail from RHD Impala into subframe. We made a jig that using upper control arm mounting points, located the mounting holes for box and idler arm in LHD chassis, then using this we were able to locate the RHD section of chassis in the identical spot. The main reason for this was to locate steering box in "correct" slightly indented position in the right hand rail. I couldn't be happier with it, worked out exactly like I'd hoped and has a real "factory" look about it. Steering column sits exactly in centre of seat and is square to driver. I've seen a lot of conversions where they have just bolted a RHD box to rail and this causes wheel to be off centre or coming in at a angle.
I'll add more on dash and air conditioning.
cheers Roger
Impressive that DSE went off and found the details to the RHD Saginaw steering box!
I took it for a short drive today and was very happy with the way it drove, especially how it steered. With my current drive being an E Series Clubsport and what I am now used to, I think that I was very pleasantly surprised. Also haven't driven a manual for quite some time so had to remember that as well and had to be quick with the 4.11 gears.
No doubt it has the best steering feel of any converted car I have driven, brakes work great. Seats are very comfortable.
I'd sort of forgotten what it was like to drive an older car, windscreen is tiny and feels so close to you. You can see so much of the bonnet and with cowl bonnet even taller you think the front is pointing way in the sky. But after about 5 mins was all good. Was fabulous on the freeway at 60mph, car feels so solid.
Car is now booked in for registration on Jan 4
Roger,
Congrats on getting her on the road! I like how the car turned out. I have been driving mine but still don't have a top or interior yet.
Any big cruises planned? Oh and what is up with the daily driver being an E Series Clubsport? What happened to the Holden 6spd/ LS sedan?
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
. As you can see box is a mirror copy of LHD Camaro box. We then grafted the mounting parts of chassis rail from RHD Impala into subframe. We made a jig that using upper control arm mounting points, located the mounting holes for box and idler arm in LHD chassis, then using this we were able to locate the RHD section of chassis in the identical spot. The main reason for this was to locate steering box in "correct" slightly indented position in the right hand rail. I couldn't be happier with it, worked out exactly like I'd hoped and has a real "factory" look about it. Steering column sits exactly in centre of seat and is square to driver. I've seen a lot of conversions where they have just bolted a RHD box to rail and this causes wheel to be off centre or coming in at a angle.
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