Jeff,
>From the British point of view, the only differences I am aware of are
the obvious ones - i.e. headlamps, steering rack, and the layout of
stuff on the rack at the rear of the engine bay. Later cars also had
different carbs and other emission control nonsense, but these shouldn't
affect a '67 car as far as I know.
The headlamps will be different as they need to dip in the other
direction, but I can see no reason why LHD headlamps should not be a
straight swap - all other relevant parts don't seem to have different
part no.s for LHD and RHD.
You will also spot that the pedals are now badly offset to the right
rather than being badly offset to the left! (Is this as bad on the cars
with 3-rail gearboxes as with the single-rail on my 1500 - is the
gearbox cover any different?).
Later cars (1500s) had indicators and reflectors on the sides of the
wings for the Federal versions, to comply with regulations, that were
not present on UK cars, but I don't know whether these are included as
far back as your car. Any US owners of Mk 3s should be able to tell you
if they have side indicators.
I always try and argue that RHD is the natural way to drive (mainly
since my wife learned to drive in France so it gives me something to
wind her up about!), since, when changing gear, your right hand stays on
the steering wheel - it is better to control the steering with the hand
which is (for most people) the best controlled. However, if everyone in
your country insists on driving on the right, I accept that being able
to see to overtake may be a priority, so you may be better off on the
left!
Since (as you say) Moss seem to be disinterested in any Spits before the
Mk IV, I can only think of two parts sources for Mk III Spits in the
UK. One, as you mentioned, is Rimmer Bros. - expensive, but pretty
comprehensive (Rimmer Bros, Triumph House, Sleaford Road, Bracebridge
Heath, Lincoln LN4 2NA Tel(01522)568000 Fax(01522)567600 Web-site
www.rimmerbros.co.uk). The other is John Kipping - I've never tried
him, but several friends have recommended him, so he can't be that bad,
and is reputed to be rather cheaper than Moss and Rimmers (John Kipping,
421 Alderman's Green Road, Coventry, CV2 1NP Tel(01203)645333
Fax(01203)645030 Web-site www.kipping.co.uk)
Good luck!
Richard Gosling and Daffy
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