If GM wont build a RHD Camaro for Australia

[Jamie]

American Vehicle Sales will introduce the right hand drive Camaro in the SS version only and will be factory hard load. This is a true reborn muscle car.

Here are the company's 2 web sites: Camaro Australia and American Vehicle Sales

Except for a few options, there's no price mentioned, but you can guarantee that one of their RHD Camaros will not be inexpensive. My personal guess is that it will be between 2 and 3 times the price of a new Camaro in the US.

American Vehicle Sales specializes in the import and conversion of Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer & Cadillac SUV and Pickup vehicles.

Here's a quick run down on the process they go through to convert a vehicle to RHD

The total right hand drive conversion processes involve many major changes; it is not just a matter of swapping a steering wheel over. Our right hand drive conversion processes begin with the removal of the vehicles interior along with the front end sheet metal, radiator, headlamps, grille and bumper. As each part is removed it is safely stored in a protective, purposely designed storage system.

Once the vehicle has been prepared our qualified technicians then install a variety of specially designed Jigs to ensure both a professional finish and ISO accredited uniformity of production. While these Jigs do vary from model to model they all serve the same purpose of aligning key components such as steering, firewall, dashboard frame and air conditioning to name a few.

"We take great care in our Right Hand Drive Conversion design process to ensure that the serviceability of our completed vehicles either matches or improves on the factory units where possible".

Our dashboards housings are completely new, we do not “cut and shut” the old plastic dashboard. “Cutting and Shutting” involves cutting an original left hand drive dash into sections then plastic welding and gluing it back together. Such a product often does not fair well over time on our harsh Australian roads. Our one piece right hand drive dash housing provides excellent rigidity and a factory type finish while retaining driver ergonomics with the steering wheel centralized to the drivers position.

Our conversion teams consist of specialists in welding, fibreglass, sheet metal, auto electrical, motor mechanics and pattern making.

The following are just a few of the many items installed by American Vehicle Sales that meet or exceed Australian Design Rules. These items may vary from model to model.

* Australian compliant headlight system

* New Dashboard (manufactured in house). We do not re use and/or use the old dash.

* New right hand drive power steering is installed using General Motors steering arms for ease of service life.

* Full windscreen wiper conversion to allow the wipers to sweep to the right hand side.

* Australian Design Rule Compliant safety belts (front and rear) and Australian compliant child seat anchorages where applicable

* New windscreen in compliance with Australian Standards.

* Re-manufactured air conditioning system.

* Australian Standards immobilization system fitted.

* Original firewall insulation is re installed for a quieter ride.

* New side indicators fitted.

* New tyres fitted in accordance with manufacturer specification

* Metrication of all functions such as Temperature gauge, oil pressure and Speedometer

* Exterior mirrors are re aligned to compensate for the driver who now sits on the right hand side

* Window switch controls converted to allow original functionality for the driver

* Centre console lids are converted to allow easy access by the driver where possible

* Plus a range of minor new components and purpose designed components are installed

[Camino LS6]

I wouldn't be too surprised if GM eventually builds its own RHD Camaros, these companies are taking a bit of a risk on that front.

[Camino LS6]

The company propsing to do the same in reverse for the G8 ST and wagon are calling themeselves GM Conversions on the G8 board. I wonder if they go by another name as they claim do do this sort of thing on GMNA models already.

Can you shed any light on that, James?

[Jamie]

They'll be doing them to order, so no real cost to the conversion company.

Ford Australia got burned a few years ago doing Mustangs for the local market. The first couple cost a mint to do when they discovered that the engine, driveline, and transmission tunnel were offset about an inch to the right of the car, and would need the driveline relocated to the left to provide more driver foot room. After the expense of the first few, they decided to forgo the driveline move. Even so, they basically had to rebuild the cars from the ground up. I know a few people that were involved with the factory sanctioned conversion, and they say that the Mustangs that arrived straight from the Ford plant were the worst assembled and finished new cars they'd seen in a long time. Here's one notable quote:

I did work experience at Tickford when they were converting the Mustangs and believe it or not the build quality on the RHD cars was better than the LHD and the RHD cars were bad.

[Jamie]

The company propsing to do the same in reverse for the G8 ST and wagon are calling themeselves GM Conversions on the G8 board. I wonder if they go by another name as they claim do do this sort of thing on GMNA models already.

Can you shed any light on that, James?

Haven't heard about that, but I'll ask around.

[Camino LS6]

Thanks!

Goes without saying that I am very interested in this idea. :AH-HA_wink:

[Camino LS6]

Here's a link to the thread in question:

http://www.g8board.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12067

[Jamie]

Name ALL AMERICAN CONVERSIONS PTY LTD

ACN :130 580 997

ABN :61 130 580 997

Type Australian Proprietary Company, Limited By Shares

Registration Date 11/04/2008

Next Review Date 11/04/2010

Status Registered

Locality of Registered Office Toowong QLD 4066

Jurisdiction Australian Securities & Investments Commission

Former Name(s) GENETICALLY MODIFIED CONVERSIONS PTY LTD

[Camino LS6]

Interesting.

Had you heard of them?

[Jamie]

Never heard of them.

This is a different company to the one doing the Camaro conversions. This lot appear to be based in Brisbane ... but I can find no listing of either company name in the phone book.

I don't mean to burst your bubble, but after reading the forum, I suspect that it's a one man operation, and he hasn't thought it through.

There's no way you'd get one landed in the USA for $35k-$40k ... unless it was a used base model with just enough used Pontiac parts to possibly make it almost legal ... but not legal enough to drive without restrictions.

[Camino LS6]

Never heard of them.

This is a different company to the one doing the Camaro conversions. This lot appear to be based in Brisbane ... but I can find no listing of either company name in the phone book.

I don't mean to burst your bubble, but after reading the forum, I suspect that it's a one man operation, and he hasn't thought it through.

There's no way you'd get one landed in the USA for $35k-$40k ... unless it was a used base model with just enough used Pontiac parts to possibly make it almost legal ... but not legal enough to drive without restrictions.

No bubble burst, that's actually about what I expected.

But I still hope that isn't the case.

[Camino LS6]

It's sad really, here we have a number of models engineered to be either RHD or LHD from the start, and GM can't make it happen.

[Jamie]

No bubble burst, that's actually about what I expected.

But I still hope that isn't the case.

When I looked at shipping Utes to the US about 10 years ago, it was going to require 3 cars just for the crash tests. I gave up at that point.

I suspect you may be able to build one out of a body damaged G8 and a Holden Ute with a stuffed engine/transmission. It really depends on what level of body repairs you could make to a wrecked G8 before it's classified as a totally different car.

[Camino LS6]

When I looked at shipping Utes to the US about 10 years ago, it was going to require 3 cars just for the crash tests. I gave up at that point.

I suspect you may be able to build one out of a body damaged G8 and a Holden Ute with a stuffed engine/transmission. It really depends on what level of body repairs you could make to a wrecked G8 before it's classified as a totally different car.

That is certainly do-able.

A project I'd enjoy in fact, but not what I'd prefer.

We shall see.

[Z-06]

That is certainly do-able.

A project I'd enjoy in fact, but not what I'd prefer.

We shall see.

Seriously Camino, can we make a business case here? Use GM's idled plant and start the conversion as a third party. Wonder how will it work out?

[Camino LS6]

Seriously Camino, can we make a business case here? Use GM's idled plant and start the conversion as a third party. Wonder how will it work out?

If a deal could be struck with GM, someone could likely make a go of it. GM support would make a world of difference. The DOT testing for the ST and the G8 sedan already take alot of the expense out of the idea, and a bulk purchase deal with GM would make it far more attractive.

A very interesting idea, but it involves issues beyond my experience.

That said, I'd love to see it happen and would love even more to be part of it.

[Z-06]

If a deal could be struck with GM, someone could likely make a go of it. GM support would make a world of difference. The DOT testing for the ST and the G8 sedan already take alot of the expense out of the idea, and a bulk purchase deal with GM would make it far more attractive.

A very interesting idea, but it involves issues beyond my experience.

That said, I'd love to see it happen and would love even more to be part of it.

Let us research into it then. Let us see what we need and how can we accomplish. As you mentioned, the crash testing has already been done, so the major hurdle is already passed.

[Camino LS6]

It could be a backdoor way for GM to test models from other markets without major investment/responsibility if a third party was the responsible entity. It could be an expansion of what SLP used to do as a "second sticker" builder of specialty cars.

If they were distributed through GM dealerships, I could see this sort of thing working.

Fascinating idea.

[Z-06]

It could be a backdoor way for GM to test models from other markets without major investment/responsibility if a third party was the responsible entity. It could be an expansion of what SLP used to do as a "second sticker" builder of specialty cars.

If they were distributed through GM dealerships, I could see this sort of thing working.

Fascinating idea.

It is like symbiosis. The major animal does the work while the minor animal supplants the major one by taking some liability and risks out of the quotient without significant investment.

I like the idea of using GM dealership.

[Camino LS6]

It is like symbiosis. The major animal does the work while the minor animal supplants the major one by taking some liability and risks out of the quotient without significant investment.

I like the idea of using GM dealership.

It will require very significant capital, but imagine the possibilities!

Zeta alone has so much untapped potential.

-Camaros to RHD markets

-Chinese market Park Avenue to the US

-expansion of the G8 line

- Au LWB zeta...

Those are the easier ones as they are engineered for both RHD and LHD, but the same process could apply for so many others worldwide.

Yeah, I think a case could be made.

[Jamie]

You'd need an unmolested G8 and an unmolested SS Ute to find out what parts you'd need from the Ute to do the conversion, then order a "body in white" Ute body plus any Ute exclusive parts directly from Holden.

[Camino LS6]

You'd need an unmolested G8 and an unmolested SS Ute to find out what parts you'd need from the Ute to do the conversion, then order a "body in white" Ute body plus any Ute exclusive parts directly from Holden.

That depends.

G8 parts are "off the shelf" at this point, and should fit just fine on the Ute. A body in white might not be cost-effective.

Ideally, a knockdown kit without RHD equiptment and a drivetrain would be a good starting point, I'd think.

[Z-06]

That depends.

G8 parts are "off the shelf" at this point, and should fit just fine on the Ute. A body in white might not be cost-effective.

Ideally, a knockdown kit without RHD equiptment and a drivetrain would be a good starting point, I'd think.

Yep. We need not fuse two together as James is guessing. Add to your laundry list interior of a G8 to see how it will "fit".

[Camino LS6]

Yep. We need not fuse two together as James is guessing. Add to your laundry list interior of a G8 to see how it will "fit".

Certain interior parts would have to be Ute sourced, the rest could be standard G8 fare.

[Camino LS6]

The exact configuration would have to work for GMH on an assembly line - other parts would have to be shipped uninstalled.

[Camino LS6]

The devil would be in the details.

[Jamie]

One of the problems I see with starting with a Ute and adding G8 parts, is a question of the vehicle documentation. You're starting with a vehicle that's never been documented in the US. Start with a G8 with body damage and repair the damaged body with an unserialed Ute "body in white" ...

Yes there are grey areas. I think some places require that the firewall from the wrecked vehicle (and any places that are serialed) be transferred to the replacement body.

[Camino LS6]

One of the problems I see with starting with a Ute and adding G8 parts, is a question of the vehicle documentation. You're starting with a vehicle that's never been documented in the US. Start with a G8 with body damage and repair the damaged body with an unserialed Ute "body in white" ...

Yes there are grey areas. I think some places require that the firewall from the wrecked vehicle (and any places that are serialed) be transferred to the replacement body.

Oh.

I thought you were referring to the idea of a third party working with new parts.

For the homebuilt version, a wrecked Ute and a wrecked G8 would suffice. A body in white would be a nicer solution but also be much more expensive.

A big project either way.

[Oracle of Delphi]

You boys make me laugh and laugh ...

[Z-06]

You boys make me laugh and laugh ...

Once a boy said, "I had a dream." The rest was history.

[Oracle of Delphi]

Once a boy said, "I had a dream." The rest was history.

Then he woke up ...

[Z-06]

Then he woke up ...

And made his dream into reality.