Right Hand Drive Cars in US -- How Do You Value Them?

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I just came across a C/L ad for a '39 LaSalle convertible coupe for sale on my local Craigslist. It's from Australia, priced at $175,00 and it is right hand drive. It caused me to reflect again on the subject of right hand drive cars. We have many fine and valued members from down under and other parts of the world where driving on the right side of the road is the norm. The last thing that I would want to do is offend any of them, but a right hand drive car holds so little interest to me living here in the US, that I can't imagine wanting to own one, regardless of the price. I allow that very early American cars were often right hand drive up until the mid teens, however, and that many fine, collectible European cars are right hand drive, as well. They may be the exceptions, perhaps. Still, I'm sure that I'm not alone in my feelings on the subject, but I'm curious to know if others are more open to the possibility. So, you guys tell me how much less do you value, for example, a right hand drive '40 Ford coupe than a left hand drive one? A Right hand drive '49 Buick Roadmaster?  (I don't even know if there are any).I'm just throwing out a couple of random examples, here. Also, I'm not asking for dollars and cents, or even percentages -- just general feelings on the subject.

 

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/ctd/d/quincy-1939-lasalle-right-hand/7059395511.html

[Matt Harwood]

We were discussing this in another thread. To me, a car with right-hand drive that was also available in left-hand drive is a no-go. I wouldn't want one at all. I don't know what the discount would have to be to make me take it, but it would have to be a lot and even then I don't know that I'd be happy to own the car. Others have said they don't mind the difference and gives them access to cars that they might not otherwise be able to afford. It's probably personal but I think there's likely a significant push-back on RHD cars in the US. 

 

Also, the guy with that LaSalle is smoking crack.

[John_S_in_Penna]

17 minutes ago, Hudsy Wudsy said:

 Also, I'm not asking for dollars and cents, or even percentages -- just general feelings on the subject.

 

Early right-hand-drive cars were normal in the United States,

so I don't think there's much reluctance to own them today.

After all, the owners aren't driving fast, and no left-hand-drive

examples exist.

 

For later antiques, I would never even consider owning a

right-hand-drive example.  There are many left-hand examples

around, so why bother with the incongruous format?  I've

heard that RHD Rolls-Royces in the U. S. A. sell for a significant

discount.

 

For historical interest, here's a Packard ad from 1913

during the U. S. auto industry's transition from RHD to LHD.

It describes advantages of LHD for our configuration of lanes:

 

 

[bryankazmer]

To agree with Matt, that rodded POS LaSalle is just a discussion starter.  I've driven a LHD car in a RHD country, and vice versa.  Passing is a real PIA, even with a copilot. Go? NO!  Go? Yes.

[Digger914]

40 minutes ago, Hudsy Wudsy said:

The last thing that I would want to do is offend any of them, but a right hand drive car holds so little interest to me living here in the US, that I can't imagine wanting to own one, regardless of the price.

 

A resto mod right hand drive '39 LaSalle convertible coupe is worth what you can get for it and its worth a lot less up here in the states than it is down under. 

[TerryB]

Unless I was looking for a career as a postal delivery driver I would not want a RHD car in the US.  If RHD was the only option available for something historical then its ok but not if a LHD could be had.  A friend of mine back in high school days bought a 1959 Morris Minor, a US market model.  When you looked closely you could find all the mounting spots to convert it to RHD.  He kept it with everything operating on the left side.

[Terry Bond]

Generally agree-the car in question is not right (in many ways in addition to the steering!).  On the other hand (no pun intended), if the car was supposed to have right-hand drive, then there should be no problem.  Case in point - our 1948 MGTC and 1935 Morris.  They are of course both smaller cars and we really don't feel out of place driving them. Just need to get used to shifting gears with the left hand.  There were a couple of right hand drive Model As in this area several years ago and they were hard sells. 

Terry

[JV Puleo]

It doesn't make any difference to me at all although I'm perfectly happy taking advantage of other people's aversion to RHD. Except for later American RRs, most of the old cars I've worked on were RHD.

Edited January 21, 2020 by JV Puleo (see edit history)

[1912Staver]

Early Canadian market model T Fords were available in both R.H.D. and L.H.D. .Many Canadian provinces began the automobile era with right hand drive and driving on the same side of the road as if in England.  The changeover to make Canadian traffic convention the same as U.S. traffic occurred at different times in different provinces.  

 R.H.D. T's are not all that common in Canada but there are a few.  I believe that by the time Model T's were on the market it was acknowledged that Canada would eventually switch from the English convention to the U.S. convention and most buyers looked ahead and bought the L.H.D. version. Some provinces stayed with the British convention as late as the early 1920's 

 Is a Canadian market R.H.D. Ford T less desirable than a L.H.D. version from the same year ? 

 

Greg

Edited January 21, 2020 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[8E45E]

6 minutes ago, 1912Staver said:

 

 

6 minutes ago, 1912Staver said:

 

 Is a Canadian market R.H.D. Ford T less desirable than a L.H.D. version from the same year ? 

 

Greg

Very difficult to say as early Canadian assembled Model T's actually have FOUR opening doors, and whether that alone has any desirability over where the driver controls are is open to debate.

 

Craig

[oldcarfudd]

Jeff Lee in Nova Scotia has a nicely-restored 1915 Canadian Model T with right-hand drive (correct) and painted blue (correct).  If I were looking for a T roadster I wouldn't hesitate to buy that one.  The unusual provenance is an interesting talking point. 

[1912Staver]

I have always thought the 4 functioning doors on Canadian tourings is a positive. I have also gathered up most of the parts needed to make my 1914 speedster R.H.D.. But I also have the L.H.D. parts as well.  I will make a final decision after I put it together and drive it a while as a R.H.D.

 

Greg

[8E45E]

One can solve the dilemma with the car in Post #3 here:  https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/stove-huggers-the-non-studebaker-forum/33845-driver-education-in-the-50-s

 

(Unfortunately P-bucket screwed things up, so its not clearly seen in the factory photo.)

 

Craig

[Michael-Resurrector]

This one British fellow had a story of bringing his car (RR) to the USA and going through toll booths. He would have his young daughter hand over the coins, and often they would say hey you're too young to be driving that thing. Or he would have his dog in the front seat, and it would stair at them like, what do you want, give me some food.

 

 

.

Edited January 21, 2020 by Michael-Restomod (see edit history)

[1937hd45]

Knockoff wheel nuts are Near and Far side in the UK, do the also consider steering Near and Far side? Bob 

[John_S_in_Penna]

47 minutes ago, Michael-Restomod said:

This one British fellow had a story of bringing his car (RR) to the USA and going through toll booths. He would have his young daughter hand over the coins, and often they would say hey you're too young to be driving that thing. Or he would have his dog in the front seat, and it would stair at them like, what do you want, give me some food.

 

For a one-minute humor break, watch this

"Just for Laughs" video from Quebec.  This shows

the fun you can have with a right-hand-drive vehicle!

 

 

 

[jdome]

I have driven low profile RHD British sports cars in the US and trying to pass into on-coming lane in a low seat on the wrong side is suicide waiting to happen. Even changing lanes in the same direction is frustrating. I have some early brass Cadillacs that are RHD and not too bad to drive because they don't go fast enough to pass anything and you sit high enough to see over cars in front anyhow. Mine are not electrified so I drive with hand signals but I usually have the passenger on the left make the signals because no one will pay a ttention to my right hand and the seat blocks my left hand from view from behind. The kids loved to make the signals for me when they were young.

[CarNucopia]

I have a few RHD cars and really enjoy the oddity of them. They are both Japanese Domestic Market cars (JDM) that were only available there. So, if you want one, you have to settle for RHD. They made some really interesting cars when the economic bubble there was inflating in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Sitting on the “wrong” side is part of the fun with these things. The one on the left is a Honda Beat and the right a Nissan Figaro.

 

I do agree with Matt that a car sold here in LHD is not something I would want as RHD (except maybe an original Mini Cooper).

[hidden_hunter]

My 1922 Cadillac is a left hand drive import and to be honest it really isn’t that much of a problem, you sit so high and the car is so narrow that it really doesn’t feel that much different. I suspect some of it’s down to the fact that the Cadillac 5 passenger coupe has excellent visibility compared to some of the other body styles of the time. Even shifting with the other hand doesn’t feel that weird after about 5 minutes.

 

I recently did about 1500 miles driving around the UK country side and for a lot of the roads in the older towns it really wouldn’t matter what side the traffic was supposed to drive on because it’s wherever the car would fit... France was pretty much the same  

 

It comes down the vehicle, sometimes it might be the only way you can afford to get into a particular make/model and generally it doesn’t matter that it’s worth less because you paid less. 

[viv w]

I have owned both LHD and RHD cars here in Zimbabwe. We drive on the left both here, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Kenya and other countries. Most of the cars here are RHD but a lot of the big trucks are left hand drive. Our govt tried to ban LHD trucks but the reality is that a lot of countries in africa drive on the right with left hand drive vehicles and their trucks travel thru the region. Overtaking in a LHD vehicle here can be tricky but you get used to it.

 If I were looking for a newish car for daily transport I would buy a right hand drive, but as far as a collector car or special car for occasional use goes, I'm comfortable with driving both RHD or LHD, and the value of vintage and classic cars here does not seem to be affected by it being LHD. I guess we have limited choice, so it's take it or leave it.

 I had a 35 Auburn 653 Cabriolet that I restored to its original RHD. It was sold and ended up in Norway where it has been converted to LHD. While I understand the owner doing that (and maybe due to legislation there), it is a shame, as so few Auburns were built RHD making it even rarer than the LHD ones.

[mercer09]

I own a rhd model A phaeton and love it. If the dollar is stronger overseas, you list and sell it overseas and vice versa.

Personally find it fun, different and enjoyable!

 

isnt that the point of antiques?

very grateful for narrow minded individuals..........gives me better deals.

[1937hd45]

Years ago a right hand drive Model A was a Neon Sign with an arrow warning you that the car came up from South America. Most were driven hard and crudely repaired and finally died. Many of the Deluxe two door Phaetons you see today started their restoration this way. Bob 

[Jeff Perkins / Mn]

I have noticed some very crude restorations on RHD cars that came from South America.

I have always wanted to own a right hand drive Model A Phaeton.

[alsancle]

A RHD car for sale in the U.S. that was available with LHD is very hard to sell and is probably a 25-45% discount over the same car LHD.

 

Examples would be P1 Rolls,  Jaguar,  post war Rolls, etc.

[1937hd45]

Just now, alsancle said:

A RHD car for sale in the U.S. that was available with LHD is very hard to sell and is probably a 25-45% discount over the same car LHD.

 

Examples would be P1 Rolls,  Jaguar,  post war Rolls, etc.

 

Years ago Bob Stark had a 1931 or 1932 V16 Cadillac five passenger Coupe that was originally delivered to Australia, he had no problem driving the RHD car around on CCCA tours. Wonder who the caretaker is now? Bob 

Edited January 21, 2020 by 1937hd45 (see edit history)

[1912Staver]

I have heard the same thing is true with L.H.D. market British cars that have been re - exported back to the U.K. Usually the parts to make them R.H.D. are readily available and in most cases a true bolt in.  And in most cases the swap is done, but the data plate usually identifies them as a L.H.D. market car. And a drop in market value.

 

Greg in Canada

[60FlatTop]

3 hours ago, mercer09 said:

very grateful for narrow minded individuals..........gives me better deals.

 

They are a beacon on the road that leads nowhere. Those good deals are their legacy.

 

On the RHD, I have driven some that were owned by others. They were enjoyable in their uniqueness. Visibility was not a dramatic issue. It is important to drive defensively and be able to predict a dangerous situation. If the deal came along I would exploit the negatives and buy one, but it would have to be a big car for me.

[nsbrassnut]

Hi All

Well this is an interesting discussion. As an owner of an RHD in a LHD here is one owner’s perspective.

First, a thank you to Gill for the complement on my ’15 Ford Canadian RHD roadster.

Here in Nova Scotia, we drove on the left side of the road up to 1923 before switching over as did the neighbouring provinces. Ford Canada built both LHD and RHD for the Canadian markets and early on also for Australia and the UK. So for me, locating and restoring a local RHD model was high on the desirability list. I’m not the only one in the area either as there are around a half dozen or more restored RHD Ts.

So for me it was worth a small premium to acquire a RHD even when living in a LHD world. However since I live in a busy area and want to drive on the road, I did add electric brake and turn signals to the car for visibility before ever leaving the drive way.

As to the RHD vs LHD value. As with real estate, location, location, location. RHD Ts are the odd ball and sometimes less desirable model in North America. However take that same car to the UK (or perhaps Australia) where the values for Ts is higher to start with (then here anyway) and I expect that a ready to run RHD T would attract a premium over a similar LHD model in a RHD market.

The market location says it all. The LHD E Type Jaguar is more desirable here than an RHD model, but take the same car to the UK and the relative value will be reversed.

So the like most of the collector car market, location and the eye of the beholder is a big part of the perceived and market value of any car by purchaser.

Drive Safe

Jeff

Nova Scotia

Canada

[maok]

Here in  Australia, over the years many LHD vehicles have been imported from the states, and once a pond a time, most states required all LHD vehicles to be converted to RHD but that changed IIRC in the late '80s 0r '90s. It seems there isn't (if at all) price differential between the two these days. I always prefer a RHD version.

[1912Staver]

Thanks for sharing Jeff. That's a great looking roadster ! I hope my speedster ends up being 1/2 as nice when done. Any spare parts ? I have a R.H.D. aluminum hogs head but no pedals yet. Is your lower steering column bracket casting iron ? I have a brass one but I am reasonably sure it is a reproduction. The bracket that supports the steering column 

shaft and control rods and attaches the steering to the frame.

 

Greg in Canada, but the other coast.

[JamesR]

You could sell them to mail men!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rodneybeauchamp]

9 hours ago, maok said:

Here in  Australia, over the years many LHD vehicles have been imported from the states, and once a pond a time, most states required all LHD vehicles to be converted to RHD but that changed IIRC in the late '80s 0r '90s. It seems there isn't (if at all) price differential between the two these days. I always prefer a RHD version.

Living in Australia, I have had as everyday drive car a ‘64 Buick Skylark in LHD format. Sure, overtaking and some intersections area bit difficult but everything else is fine. Getting out kerbside is safer too! My current ‘63 Riviera is also LHD. No problem.

 

 My only issue with RHD conversions is how well they have been done as you do hear horror stories of how they scrub tyres and turn more to one side than the other, or the  steering arm hits the sump on full lock LH turns.

 

For what it is worth I would suggest looking at  the chain drive conversion be as the best option as all of the steering geometry remains factory standard. I drove a friends ‘78 Cadillac Coupe de Ville in both LHD and RHD format with this conversion and could not detect a difference. 

 

Sure RHD is a bit easier,, just my two bobs worth

Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
 

 

[8E45E]

10 hours ago, nsbrassnut said:

Hi All

 

Well this is an interesting discussion. As an owner of an RHD in a LHD here is one owner’s perspective.

 

First, a thank you to Gill for the complement on my ’15 Ford Canadian RHD roadster.

 

Here in Nova Scotia, we drove on the left side of the road up to 1923 before switching over as did the neighbouring provinces. Ford Canada built both LHD and RHD for the Canadian markets and early on also for Australia and the UK. So for me, locating and restoring a local RHD model was high on the desirability list. I’m not the only one in the area either as there are around a half dozen or more restored RHD Ts.

 

So for me it was worth a small premium to acquire a RHD even when living in a LHD world. However since I live in a busy area and want to drive on the road, I did add electric brake and turn signals to the car for visibility before ever leaving the drive way.

 

As to the RHD vs LHD value. As with real estate, location, location, location. RHD Ts are the odd ball and sometimes less desirable model in North America. However take that same car to the UK (or perhaps Australia) where the values for Ts is higher to start with (then here anyway) and I expect that a ready to run RHD T would attract a premium over a similar LHD model in a RHD market.

 

The market location says it all. The LHD E Type Jaguar is more desirable here than an RHD model, but take the same car to the UK and the relative value will be reversed.

 

So the like most of the collector car market, location and the eye of the beholder is a big part of the perceived and market value of any car by purchaser.

 

Drive Safe

 

Jeff

 

Nova Scotia

 

Canada

 

Here is the 1917 Studebaker display in Vancouver, where there are both LHD and RHD vehicles.  British Columbia officially drove on the right in 1920 or 1921.   I wouldn't be surprised of both LHD and RHD cars were also available concurrently in Nova Scotia as well.

 

Craig

 

[8E45E]

7 hours ago, JamesR said:

You could sell them to mail men!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bet this Saturn wagon was his:

Studebaker also offered the Lark 'Rural Router' in RHD configuration and Subaru also offered RHD cars for USPS drivers.  And so does Jeep today.

 

It is nice to see someone saving these 1951 and 1952 Studebaker RHD cars:

 

https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/general-studebaker-specific-discussion/93221-rural-mail-studebakers?90995-Rural-Mail-Studebakers=

 

Craig

[Jeff Perkins / Mn]

I was a 35 year rural mail carrier, I never used a RHD vehicle. I found them to be too cumbersome in trying to do my work. A coworker used a RHD Subaru and preferred that as he was a very short person. As I stated earlier in this thread I would like to find an RHD  Model A Phaeton.

[padgett]

Used to have a RHD MGA. Gave the passenger a steering wheel to wave around at appropriate times.

[Zimm63]

My next project will be a TR2 retrofitted to be RHD.  All necessary parts have been collected over the years.

 

Why?  For the hell of it.  Why not?

 

If I hate it when its done, easy enough to change back.  

Edited January 22, 2020 by Zimm63 (see edit history)

[JamesR]

6 hours ago, 8E45E said:

I bet this Saturn wagon was his:

Studebaker also offered the Lark 'Rural Router' in RHD configuration and Subaru also offered RHD cars for USPS drivers.  And so does Jeep today.

 

 

 

I had no idea that Saturn, Subaru and Studebaker offered RHD mail vehicles. Thanks for the education. I'll keep that in mind as I peruse the old car ads.

 

The Jeeps were the only small USPS vehicles used around here, as far as I can remember. Now they use a sort of industrial looking small van...I wouldn't call it a mini van, but it's about that size, only very angular. Don't know if it's made by Jeep or not. 

 

The old USPS Jeeps they used around here we available for public  purchase as surplus after they were worn out by the post office. As used Jeeps, they almost kind of seemed to have a counter-culture appeal in the '90's the way the VW Bug did in the '60's,  but they never caught on like the Bug did. They weren't as practical, I'm guessing. Don't know what the top speed was, but I wouldn't want to take one on the highway.

[8E45E]

That would be the Dispatcher Jeep or "DJ" series Jeep: https://www.onallcylinders.com/2018/07/04/neither-snow-nor-rain-a-brief-history-of-the-postal-mail-jeep/

 

Craig

[padgett]

Grumman also made mail trucks.