LHD legality

Post by **poshbuggers** » 16 Oct 2008, 09:36

I've recently picked up a 1982 LHD Westfalia which has been in the country for a few years now.

I was surprised to find it still has KM/H clocks and german style number plates (with the new UK reg number) and has not failed the MOT.

I'm not sure whether the headlights have been swapped either (how do I tell if they are RHD/LHD?).

Can anyone clarify what is/isn't legal?

Post by **jamesc76** » 16 Oct 2008, 09:40

plates are illegal ,same as mine

they are suposed to be in uk script as for head lights park it up againgst a wall and see which way they flick upthey should flick towards the pavement, whas it you sat outside the paper shop opposite sainsburys in mansfield last friday??

Post by **poshbuggers** » 16 Oct 2008, 09:42

Yeah, that was us.

Our first ride out since I drove it home. Had a chippy (ooh the luxury!) and then did some shopping.

Post by **jamesc76** » 16 Oct 2008, 09:43

thought it was you!! as i wanged passed to get petrol in the van!

Post by **poshbuggers** » 16 Oct 2008, 09:53

Should have stolen a few chips LOL

Post by **Red Westie** » 16 Oct 2008, 11:51

Ayup matey....hows it goin...
The usual things with a Westy L/H/D are:

Headlamps, need to properly taped so they don't dazzel (best with proper light benders from Brickwerks or similar)
As said....just point it at a wall...the kick should be to the left to illuminate pavements/pedestrians walking on dark lanes. if original the kick will be to the right and will need the stickers fitting to the outter lenses.

KMH speedo is acceptable under MOT rules although I changed mine to MPH for my own sanity.

You need a foglamp on the O/S/R (most peeps fit one in the light cluster) Note* there isn't a positive terminal connection so you will need to make something up. Also the fog lamp swith on the dash needs to have some sort of operational indicator.

Then all the usual things.
Common issues;
Front top wishbone rubbers
Brake pipes and flexi hoses
Front seat belt anchor points
Front steps
Front calipers sticking
Rear brake adjustment (Excessive hand and footbrake travel)

BTW don't mind collecting those caps and gaskets if you aren't coming my way......cheers

Martin

Post by **poshbuggers** » 16 Oct 2008, 14:07

Thanks for that Martin.

I'll check the lights tonight (headlights and foglight). I think it may have had the fronts swapped and there was a bumper that came with the van thats had an auxiliary fog lamp fitted to it (but then removed) so perhaps its also been attended to. Either way I can swap one of the light backings and double up the rear clusters.

The mechanicals seem OK, but I shall be checking it over soon. I'm going to lower it a tad so springs/shocks and bushes will all come under scrutiny.

Haven't had much time to look at it as I have been getting the old van ready for its new owner but I will probably come over this weekend if you are around.

Post by **Red Westie** » 16 Oct 2008, 15:01

No probs, going to the camping and caravan show this weekend in the van, will be camping over so probably won't be back till sunday PM.
Any advice with your van just call
Martin

Post by **Syncro G** » 16 Oct 2008, 16:55

The speedo is a strange one. Basicly its ilegal to register a car in the UK without MPH written on the clock face and so on imported motors they should check for it (same with jap imports too) and regect if it doesn't have mph (the trip can still be km). Once the papers are sorted your clear and if they didn't bother to check you get away with a kmh speedo - this seems very common making some think MPH isn't required, it is.

After that it really makes no difference. No one ever checks if the speedo is accurate or working (and neather excuses will get you off a speeding fine, though if you mention you don't have miles you could get in more trouble), it just has to be there for the MOT. A mate once took the pi$$ with this rule when MOTing a wreck of a landy - He just ducktaped a speedo clock randomly to the dashbord, no bother with a cable - the tester could read the trip numbers to put on the form so all was well - Streching it a bit in my view.

Post by **Therunner** » 16 Oct 2008, 18:49

Mine still has a kph speedo, I keep a small conversion chart blu-tacked to the dash next to it for reference.

Melvin

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 16 Oct 2008, 19:05

if its passed the MOT who cares? carry on

Post by **jdreamer** » 16 Oct 2008, 20:17

Therunner wrote:Mine still has a kph speedo, I keep a small conversion chart blu-tacked to the dash next to it for reference.

Melvin

That's my setup right now too. In the process of creating a MPH speedo template based on converting KPH->MPH and working out angles etc. Printed it out today, so need to get it stuck on the speedo and tested with GPS to see how (in)accurate it is. Sad, but I was bored.

Post by **CycloneMike** » 16 Oct 2008, 22:01

Construction & Use Regs:

Speedometers

Reg 35, every motor vehicle shall be fitted with a speedometer which, if the vehicle is first used on or after April 1, 1984, shall be capable of indicating speed in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour, either simultaneously or, by the operation of a switch, separately.

So your 1982 van should be ok reading in just KMH

Post by **shaz and dan's van** » 16 Oct 2008, 22:51

CycloneMike wrote:Construction & Use Regs:

Speedometers

Reg 35, every motor vehicle shall be fitted with a speedometer which, if the vehicle is first used on or after April 1, 1984, shall be capable of indicating speed in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour, either simultaneously or, by the operation of a switch, separately.

So your 1982 van should be ok reading in just KMH

I agree, ours is an 82 & DVLA confirmed did not need converting to MPH

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 17 Oct 2008, 07:32

mines an 82 westy which i bought in berlin and drove back, i ran it on german plates for ages.
i made up some sticky numbers from a stationary shop and stuck 30, 40 50 60 and 70 where they should be on the clockface. 10 minutes and 30p later its done:). if you are one of those people that has to do everything by the letter and a bit "worried" it might pay you to get beam benders for the headlights.personally i wouldn`t bother