Retrofit Cars

Since I'm talking about cars, I have to mention retrofit cars.No, I'm not talking about changing a regular car into a super car. I'm not talking about stock modification to make it run better, or look cooler. I'm talking about changing the drive from one side to the other. Some of you may be driving one right now. Some of you may call them something else. But, while in the military and moving around alot, we always ran into these cars. Most of them were redone in Korea. When I say the word "retrofit", it means that a car has been changed from left-side drive to right-side drive. Many of these cars are in the P.I. and in Japan, and other countries. When they bring the cars to Japan, as an example, being that they drive on the other side of the road, the steering wheel needs to be moved to the other side. With these particular cars, they weer not initially "made" with right-side drive. They were physically changed over. If you know about cars, especially the mechanical side of them, then you know what I'm talking about. You have to move the steering column, and all that goes with it. You have to modify it to align with the motor. Then you have to move all the big stuff, like the dashboard. Many times they do not change the dashboard out. The just cut it to fit on the other side and remold some parts. Therein lies the problems. Almost every single retrofitted car that I have seen, and I have seen hundreds of them, starts to show "symptoms" after about six months to a year. One symptom is that it starts to vibrate. The vibration will grow and grow until it is fully shaking the car apart. Another symptom is that the dashboard will crack right down the middle. It will start with a small crack and develop until it may be a full two inches wide. Still another sysmptom is steering. The wheel will start to become "loose", meaning that there will be a lot of play. It will move around too much. It will make you feel like your not fully in control.

I had only one retrofit car, before I knew anything about all this. And, sure enough, in less than a year, all of these symptoms had appeared. I traded it in, and have never owned another one. Many people buy them because they are sold cheaper than a non-retrofit. I have actually turned down three cars that looked just great upon first inspection, but as soon as they told me it was a retrofit, I walked away from them. Sometimes they have to move things around in the engine area to make room for changes. Not all cars have to do this, but some do, depending on the size and make. When you start "moving things around" in the engine area, well, you know, things may start to unravel. One thing you really don't need is a car that will start having engine problems, again and again, costing you a lot to keep it running. They are also noted for overheating.

So if you do own a retrofit, and I know most of you do not, don't keep it around too long. It will cost you. If you are in the military, and are stationed at a location that has retrofit cars for sale, my advise is to walk away, no matter how great they look.  If you are in an area, like Japan, that has right-side drive, be sure to ask if the car is actually a retrofit, if it is not brand new. If it is originally made for right-side drive, as most cars are in Japan, and also in England, then you shouldn't have any of these problems. Do not assume that because it is a Japanese car, and you're in Japan, that it is not a retrofit. For sure, if it says Daewoo, or some other brand you may not have heard of, it is very likely that it is imported as a retrofit.

I know this subject may not interest too many, and may not help the majority out, but if it ends up helping a few, then it is worth mentioning.