SimonExtreme
New member
Des
I have done a fair amount of research and asking around on this and the picture is a bit cloudy! I really do believe that the RHD cars are built on the same bodyshell as the LHD cars. In fact, I am a certain about this as I can be, without having actually witnessed the cars going through the factory. Although I haven't yet been able to check every chassis difference between the C2 and RS (some are under carpet - more below) those that I have checked are on my RHD car.
I also believe that the harness points are not definitive. I believe that there are a fair number of LHD cars without those and that they are still genuine RS's. Underseal doesn't prove much, eother way. I don't think my car has underseal but I would be suprised if there weren't LHD and RHD cars that have had underseal applied after the cars left the factory.
What I suspect happened is that there were a certain number of shells which were further modified for the race series' and maybe also as clubsport cars. Not all were used for the purpose intended and some of those shells were then used for standard RS's. One of the pointers to this is that the repair manual shows how to convert a C2 shell into an RS one and doen't include the harness points.
The other reason I believe this is that when I was in Oz, I met a guy who used to be involved with the organisation of the cup series (I posted some of this info before). He suggested that the South African series, which would have been in RHD cars, was cancelled and he didn't know what had happened to the body shells. He also said that at least 6 RHD cars were built RHD to cup spec and went to New Zealand! Now, that might show he doesn't know what he is talking about because I have found nothing to support that idea, except that I do know there is at least one RHD race car, to cup spec, in Oz! Now, I accept that doesn't prove anything as it could have been converted at any time, but one of the OPC's told me that they knew of 3 cars that had been brought over from NZ for racing!
Finally, I should have a few more answers regarding my own car soon. I am fitting a new carpet set but I don't want to rip up the old carpet until I have the new stuff.
I also have a little more data on another computer which I will look at and try to post later.
I really don't mind a debate over whether LHD or RHD is better. After all, IMO, its a personal preference. All I object to is the idea that a RHD car isn't a proper RS. As far as I can assertain, the cars have the same body modifications, same suspension, engine, glass, interoir etc and that the differences are the things that make a RHD car RHD (!) and power steering.
