RHD versus LHD

Post by **mgarageu** » 29 Dec 2003 07:27 pm

which one is better? i had sth else in mind!
have rebuilt a car from one to another!
the next part follows...next year!

Post by **Duvel78** » 30 Dec 2003 06:04 am

I would say LHD... Because I'm right-handed!

And because I live in Europe... People in the UK or Australia will probably think differently!

Post by **muggins** » 05 Jan 2004 03:03 am

Duvel78 wrote:I would say LHD... Because
I'm right-handed! And because I live in Europe... People in the UK or Australia
will probably think differently!

You're right, people in Australia do think differently!

I had to drive left hand drive cars
when I lived in Canada (where they never got any Volvo 300 series at all!) - when changing
gears I kept grabbing the window winder instead of the gear stick!

Post by **Duvel78** » 05 Jan 2004 04:15 am

muggins wrote: when I lived in Canada
(where they never got any Volvo 300 series at all!)

Mmmm, are you sure?? Check this website!!
http://members.shaw.ca/lnss1/
There is a 345 GL in Canada!!

Ok, only one... LOL

Post by **VOLVOTECHCDN** » 05 Jan 2004 05:08 am

Well this is my car .Volvo 345 European Hatchback
with CVT (Constant Variable Transmission). Last year of production of this type was 1980
(when Volvo bought DAFF, they ran this model for one year, until the 400 series came out).
69,000 Km /41,000 MILES. Has a B14 engine with centrifugal clutch that drives the CVT (this
transmission style is used on snowmobiles). Car originally from Germany and was brought to
Canada by previous owner.Black velour interior with all sunshades for windows. Car has
registration in British Columbia, Canada and was driven daily up until 1983. This car is fully
restored and has been kept in dry storage.Has a sunroof and the transmission is a CVT
here is another site of the 345
http://www.gaspumpclassics.com/find/fbm ... Make=Volvo

Post by **Duvel78** » 05 Jan 2004 05:21 am

It's FANTASTIC! 340pw

I have questions for you:
- Do you know other Volvo 300 drivers in Canada?
- What do you think about the CVT compared to the traditional automatic cars?
- Was it easy to maintain the car in Canada? (to find parts etc...)

Post by **VOLVOTECHCDN** » 05 Jan 2004 05:41 am

as far as i know , its just me and the lady i bought it from . i did the restore
on it. parts are just ordered as with a part # and they come . here i have all the factory books
and parts fiche also . since i do as my login name says , just another volvo with a little quirk
.the cvt is OK but id rather have a aw71 type of trany. to drive a cvt and park it it takes a little
two footing the fuel and brake (likes to bunny hop to move 3 inches)this is because the
centrifical friction clutch and the rubber bands / belts .Other that that is a show stopper to say
the car is rubber band driven .Answered ?

Post by **Duvel78** » 05 Jan 2004 06:57 pm

Perfectly answered!

And what do you know about the
reactions from your friends or people living in Canada who have seen your "strange"
Volvo?

Post by **VOLVOTECHCDN** » 06 Jan 2004 12:27 am

Duvel78 wrote: And what do you know
about the reactions from your friends or people living in Canada who have seen your
"strange" Volvo?

well the car is not a daily driver , it sits on blocks in a heated garage till it is used for a car show
or gets to sit in the volvo show room with its bigger brothers. this car needs a new home and
so do many others i have , 444 to c70 's . Most of my toys just sit and wait for a 3 month
(sunny days and warm nights) odd drive .

Post by **Duvel78** » 06 Jan 2004 02:31 am

A heated garage is a good idea, rust can be very dangerous
for the 300 series. Someone living in the US told me that most would be rusted off the road by
this date if they had been imported to North America...

According to this person, the importation to the US / North America was impossible because
modifications were necessary to make the car legal (fuel injection, carburator and exhaust
systems). He said that probably the most difficult is that the headlights have to be higher in the
US and it would require a redesign of the body.
Though there were rumors that the car would be available...
Do you have more details?

Post by **VOLVOTECHCDN** » 06 Jan 2004 04:08 am

Duvel78 wrote:According to this person, the
importation to the US / North America was impossible because modifications were necessary
to make the car legal (fuel injection, carburator and exhaust systems). He said that probably
the most difficult is that the headlights have to be higher in the US and it would require a
redesign of the body.
Though there were rumors that the car would be available...
Do you have more details?

WELL , headlights were a small thing , since America cars have the worst lighting. it was price
, 1983 accord full load was 13,000 usd /12,000 CDN $ , same size car but volvo 240 gl full
load was in the 18,000 range. hondas / toy / mazda/ had taken over the lower end cars in the
price thing so i belive that was the main reason , besides America thinks bigger is better, so
hard to push the same size for more money .

Post by **GLT_vario_driver** » 06 Jan 2004 06:23 am

Welcome to this forum and what a good idea to have this
small volvo in Canada.
I will talk here about California because I lived there during 1 year.
Most people in America like to drive a big car because they want to feel safe. When I was in
California, I was amazed that most students have a old volvo 240 or 740.
It seems that some Californian people now want a small car. I was amazed to see there the
MINI, the VW GOLF, the Audi A3 which are small very expensive cars and it's very strange to
see these tiny cars beside the hgge Ford Expedition.

Post by **mgarageu** » 15 Jan 2004 10:50 pm

seems to me honda civic headlights are about one
foot lower than these on volvo 360

or maybe one mile 340pw

Post by **Duvel78** » 18 Jan 2004 04:16 am

Hella headlights

And I'm not sure that headlights on a
240 or 740 series are better!

RHD versus LHD

RHD versus LHD

Thanks for the invite

headlights...