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Question for Aussie HAMBERS

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Chevy Gasser, Aug 21, 2007.

  1. Chevy Gasser
    Joined: Jan 23, 2007
    Posts: 720

    Chevy Gasser
    Member

    Do all speedometers in Australia read KPH? I would like to buy a KPH speedometer face for a '55-'56 Chevy.
    Also, do you guys see many left hand drive cars. Every rare once in a while you see a right hand drive car here in the states.
     
  2. Rckt98
    Joined: Jun 7, 2005
    Posts: 1,182

    Rckt98
    Member

    You might be better off looking in Europe. Not sure when Aussi changed to metrics, New Zealand changed in the 1970's & I would guess Aussi would be similar.I have never seen a 55/56 metric speedo(thats not to say they aren't out there).
    Russell
     
  3. Neophyte
    Joined: Mar 27, 2006
    Posts: 335

    Neophyte
    Member

    Basically the same situation here in South Africa too. You might have to have a new face custom made if you're set on having it in KPH.
     
  4. jimbob
    Joined: Jun 29, 2004
    Posts: 1,222

    jimbob
    Member

    Australia changed to the metric system in the early seventies, so you would not find a KPH speedo for a tri 5 chev here.

    Some of the after market places like VDO and auto Meter do make them in KPH tho.
     
  5. chevy g***er
    as others have stated ours were mph. but i have seen a picture of one in kilometers from some foreign country but cannot recall where. happy hunting.
    Al.


    wanted. 1932 ford pines winterfront or parts.
     
  6. GlenC
    Joined: Mar 21, 2007
    Posts: 757

    GlenC
    Member

    My 1970 Triumph had a MPH speedo, my 1972 model had a KPH one, so I guess we changed to metric sometime in between. Chev's were all imported in the 50's and we actually got very few, most 50's cars are English or Australian GM or Ford, that's why we prize even more-door Yankee iron over here! American cars were 'luxury' models, Customlines and Belairs for example, were top of the range stuff. We got very few V8's in anything. Cusso's had the 272, but lots of imported Chevs had the blueflame 6, we weren't considered a V8 country.

    As far as LHD cars are concerned, anything 25 years old or older can now be imported and registered LHD. Newer cars are usually converted to RHD, with systems that range from the safe to the totally dodgy from my POV. With indicators etc LHD isn't really an issue any more, although I don't know that I'd like to drive an LHD car on our roads. Somehow I think I'd feel uncomfortable trying to judge clearances etc.

    Cheers, Glen.
     
  7. downunder55
    Joined: Aug 1, 2007
    Posts: 126

    downunder55
    Member
    from australia

    i imported my 55 buick and got it regoed straight up with no changes and it will be staying that way, left hook that is ,after the first few drives you get used to it pretty quick, freaks the **** outta the wife though.....:eek:
     
  8. my 53 chevy has a stewart warner "police edition" kph speedo, not sure of its vintage.
     
  9. nexxussian
    Joined: Mar 14, 2007
    Posts: 3,237

    nexxussian
    Member

    FWIW I have the orriginal speedo out of my Anglia (orriginally a NZ car) and it is in MPH.

    I dunno, it was weird driving a RHD car here, for a little while. The toughest part was to remember the handle for the blinkers was on the other side of the column.:D Distances weren't bad at all, but then with an Anglia (Thames, Popular, etc) or anything small like that you can fit TWO in each lane, that probably made it easier.:rolleyes:
     
  10. GlenC
    Joined: Mar 21, 2007
    Posts: 757

    GlenC
    Member

    I just couldn't imagine myself driving on our roads in say a big ol' Caddy or Lincoln, or even a full size tri-5 or newer full size Chev in LHD. I reckon my sense of touch would have to come into play somewhere along the line!

    Cheers, Glen.
     
  11. Matt Jones
    Joined: Jan 22, 2005
    Posts: 49

    Matt Jones
    Member

    I drive my LHD 65 Caddy a couple of times a week and it's no problem. Just have to be selective about your overtaking sometimes.Helps when you've got a 'spotter' in the p***enger seat... Parallel parking is a dream, just poke your head out the window to see how far off the gutter (kerb) you are. Saves scuffin up the whitewalls.
     
  12. nexxussian
    Joined: Mar 14, 2007
    Posts: 3,237

    nexxussian
    Member


    Yes and, Yes (don't have white walls though:D).
     
  13. Chevy Gasser
    Joined: Jan 23, 2007
    Posts: 720

    Chevy Gasser
    Member

    Thanks for the replys. I thought if I could find a KPH speedometer that would read about 150 or 160 I would have it calibrated for MPH. I like the cl***ic chevy factory face and don't want to change to a newer style face just to read 160. I guess I'll have my son Freddy who is a macinist/engineer make a custom one on a CNC. In fact the first one would be all the work, maybe I'll have him make a half dozen or so.

    I rode in a bus in the Carribean that was on one of the islands that was right hand drive, that alone was confusing!
     
  14. Chebby belair
    Joined: Apr 17, 2006
    Posts: 855

    Chebby belair
    Member
    from Australia

    Wouldn't mind seeing some pics
     

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