5 replies to this topic

[Danielr89]

Hi, this is my first post on the forum so apologies if it has already been asked. I already have a classic mini and am looking to add to my collection with a car I've been offered from the Netherlands. Its left hand drive. Basically my question is are you worth the investment being LHD or should I stay clear and stick to RHD, its not an innocenti just a regular mini but has spent its life in Holland. I done a little research on autotrader etc and there isnt many LHD cars about and the ones that are for sales seem to be priced a lot higher than regular RHD cars, is there a reason for that? Thanks :) 

[minisilverbullet]

I would guess the reason is that a LHD is much more attractive to non UK buyers. 

 

I know the price for Minis in Scandinavia is much higher than in the UK. 

[rally1380]

Do you want a Left hooker?  If not, you could always convert it to the steering wheel on the correct side............parts will be easily enough to come by.  Just a thought if it was a good shell and the price was right.

 

If it's rotten (remember Holland will have similar damp rubbish weather as the UK) then don't bother.

[b_sdaddy]

I've had my lefty for three years now, purchased from Amsterdam.

 

I'd also been looking at RHD in the UK.

 

Being British but living in Belgium now, I wasn't fussed about LHD or RHD. It's not as though it hinders your (slow) progress. And I know, overtaking is nearly impossible in a RHD when driving in europe on your own.

 

But I took the lefty as it fitted my brief - budget wasn't that important. And driving over to the UK to look at minis became an (expensive) chore.

 

 

IF budget is important, then you WILL save money buying a mini in the UK as apposed to one purchased from NL. (regardless of steering wheel site)

 

The market (for classic minis) here is smaller, and secondhand cars in general, are not as cheap as they are in the UK.

 

 

I can't put a percentage on it, but if pressed, I would say a £5k (€5,6k) classic mini in the UK would be in excess of €8k in NL. And with relatively slim pickings, better stay on your side of the channel!

[Magneto]

This is kinda funny, cause we have the opposite reaction here.....I prefer a left drive car not just because of our driving on the right side of the road, but also because the wheelwell intrusion forces my gas pedal leg in a kinked, uncomfortable position in a right drive car.

My 1980 Clubman Estate was right drive, and I never had any issues passing cars on 2 lane roads over here, but then most of our roads are quite a bit wider and straighter than your country lanes.

As to the value, to me were I in England I'd buy a right driver, over here they have a certain cachet but I think the lefties still bring better money.

[mab01uk]

Hi, this is my first post on the forum so apologies if it has already been asked. I already have a classic mini and am looking to add to my collection with a car I've been offered from the Netherlands. Its left hand drive. Basically my question is are you worth the investment being LHD or should I stay clear and stick to RHD, its not an innocenti just a regular mini but has spent its life in Holland. I done a little research on autotrader etc and there isnt many LHD cars about and the ones that are for sales seem to be priced a lot higher than regular RHD cars, is there a reason for that? Thanks :) 

 

Its all about condition and price......if it is a Mini that you want and is rust free and a good price then it is a lot cheaper to convert to RHD than restore a Mini!

If it has the centre speedo dash you won't even need to move that over. You will need a new RHD steering rack as that can't be used and the earlier more basic the Mini the easier it is to do, If you can live with keeping it LHD in the UK you may find your insurance slightly higher I think.

Edited by mab01uk, 23 September 2016 - 06:05 PM.