Factory RHD bulkhead or converted LHD ?

[Barry.b]

Hi guys does this look like a factory RHD bulkhead or is it a LHD one converted by GB concessionaires ?????

Maybe photos of other restorations could confirm or deny which type it is .
Thanks!

 

[Simufly]

IMO RHD from the factory. The brake system of the RHD car is totally different from the LHD. I suggest the idea of two new servos and pipe work and master cylinder would make it uneconomic as the e9 was always expensive even before the idea of a conversion .

 

[Michael Kaye]

As Simon said and as I was suggesting in the other thread, it seems unlikely to me that the BMW Commisioners would have adopted the 2 servo brake system as it’s a complicated and costly to do. If they did then either BMW copied the implementation or BMW defined it for them. Which to me makes it original anyway!

 

[day66]

I'm at a similar point with mine and I'd say our bulkheads are the same.

All the captive bolts, flanges etc. have a perfect "factory finished" look to them.

I suspect as production evolved pressings were progressively modified so that the shells could be built up as LHD or RHD with the only changes being "bolt on". It perhaps still leaves open the question as to who built the cars as RHD but if it wasn't the factory or it must have been done with factory support - not a back-street operation!

 

[Barry.b]

I'm at a similar point with mine and I'd say our bulkheads are the same.

All the captive bolts, flanges etc. have a perfect "factory finished" look to them.

I suspect as production evolved pressings were progressively modified so that the shells could be built up as LHD or RHD with the only changes being "bolt on". It perhaps still leaves open the question as to who built the cars as RHD but if it wasn't the factory or it must have been done with factory support - not a back-street operation!



View attachment 108345

Hi , yes yours looks the same as mine , if you excuse the soon to be removed “Patina” on mine
what year is yours ?

 

[day66]

Mine’s built summer 73, registered Jan 74 - #5937.

 

[Barry.b]

Mine’s built summer 73, registered Jan 74 - #5937.

Mine’s built summer 73, registered Jan 74 - #5937.

Okay mine is #5998 , built September 73 registered April 74.
I wonder how many cars would Karmann have on the production line at any one time in 1973 , ie have our cars met before , on the line , or maybe even on their transfer to the UK
Does yours start with #22 or #43 ???

 

[HB Chris]

Series II RHD CSI 4350001-4350207 only, his is like yours, if only we could find more like them in the 226xxxx range.

 

[day66]

Yes, mine's a "226" car, so series 1 - and I have the same coil/ballast arrangement.

Given that the chassis numbers are only 60 apart, I'd think that they could well have been built within days of each other.

 

[HonaloochieBoogie]

I’ve never considered the LHD v RHD differences in my life, but this journey down the rabbit hole is fascinating. Like any mystery, I’m hoping the truth (facts) emerge at the end. Best of luck!