Hi All,
I will highly appreciate if anybody can advise me (or where to obtain info) regarding changing my 1990 Maita (US model) from left hand drive to right hand drive. Thanks a lot. Johann (South Africa)
that is a massive task
braking system, steering assembly, interior (dash, heating system,wiring looms)
would it not be easier to sell your left hooker and import one from the uk or japan ? much less hastle
Don’t do it !!
I converted a Renault 5 from left to right hand drive many years ago and was proud. Got the car through its MOT and sold it to a young friend. Lot of effort and a successful experiment is all.
It will be £1000 + of effort and parts for a bodged conversion of a Miata worth £1000 ?
I have seen a thread on it somewhere.
So I had a search of our old forum, and found a short thread titled ‘LHD to RHD Conversion - is it possible’ But that will not let me see the thread. Can anyone with the old set of keys see if there is anything worthwhile in there?
I’d imagine the 36% import duty and 14% VAT in South Africa is a strong deterrant to importing another car. I have seen converted cars before; contact 5-Speed in Nottingham for details of a Miata that had been converted (Leigh’s):
Although Leigh didn’t do the conversion (it was already converted), he’s had the car such a long time that I’m sure he’s figured out what is needed for the conversion. I think the main parts needed are the dashboard and steering rack; the brake and clutch master cylinders can be reused, simply swapped over. A RHD pedal assemply is needed. Basically, get a rhd front clip, and you’re sorted for the parts needed. The carpet is different, but I know on this converted car, the owner just used floor mats over the carpet.
Things are considerably easier if your local lawspermit removal of the airbag; though if you do, I am given to understand, on US-spec cars, the seatbelts contain a breakaway section, and so should be replaced with standard belts.
Here’s an actual rhd Miata in California
The owner was somewhat evasive how it was done; contact “RHD miata” on clubroadster.net, though he hasn’t posted there for a few years, so might be dead/ in jail or something.
Got everything you need to do it but my other concern would be re-locating the ECU as I coudnt imagine LHD versions hve the ECU under the drivers foot?? Sounds like a good way to even-up` seat wear though
PM me if you want a job-lot of RHD conversion bits going cheeeeeeaaaap!
Regards, Dr.Eunos
On the 1.6, the ECU is merely relocated to the other side. On the 1.8, its behind one of the seats. No biggie. Most of the firewall holes are already present (at leaston a rhd car), blanked over with tape. Although you should use a new loom, the cars I have seen use cut LHD looms.
Since South Africa drives on the left, I’d imagine rhd parts are available in country. If not, front clips are shipped from Japan to Africa all the time.
A very big thank you to all who replied on my post (changing from LHD to RHD). To be honest, I was quite amazed by the response, thanks again! Regarding the change from LHD to RHD, a bit of background;- before I left South Africa in 2002, I transfered ownership of the Miata to my son (for insurance etc. purposes). After my recent return to SA and bringing the car “back to life”, it needs to pass a “roadworthy” test before I can apply for change of ownership (back to my name). What a surprise to learn that since October 2010 no LHD cars (new or used) may be imported into SA, nor will LHD cars, already registered in SA, be allowed to change ownership!!!. (hence the idea to change from LHD to RHD). Reason given by the local authorities are that LHD cars are considered not safe on SA roads - “driver’s visibility of oncoming vehicles reduced”. Do you have the same “law” in the UK??. Anyway, I could of course keep the car on my son’s name (insurance much higher) and there is still a (slight) possibility that the SA MX5 Miata Club can assist me with a letter to the local authorities. If not successful, I will have to take up your offers of parts from the UK!! (MX5/Miata parts not freely available in SA and ridiculously expensive. Regards, Johann
Hi Johann
As the law currently stands LHD cars are permissable is the UK but we shouldn’t say that too loud 
I hope that you manage to find a way of legitimately registering and using the vehicle in SA without being forced to go down the onerous route of conversion.
Hi “Rhino”, Thanks for your reply. I read in the SA MX5 Miata club forum that a letter from the club Chairman to the authorities “did the job” in the past. I already sent an e-mail to the Chairman but most people in SA are still away on summer holidays. I hope to receive a (positive) reply by next week! As mentioned earlier, the car is currently registered in my son’s name and “on the road”. I may eventually leave it in his name and just pay the much higher (almost double) insurance premium. Will let you know! Regards, Johann
Do you need to worry about type approval / SVA or whatever certification you need to get an MOT? I thought the Miata’s were tricky due to (very minor but significant to the powers that be) differences?
The black Cali rhd Miata was for sale a little while back: