20-05-2025, 09:36 PM
These modifications can certainly be done. A friend, with whom I have unfortunately lost touch, was paraplegic so had lost the use of both legs. He had a 4-1/2 litre low chassis Invicta fitted with hand controls and competed in VSCC events. It wasn't simple and was expensive. However the Austin is much simpler and only needs the clutch converted.
I would have thought a control on the gear lever could be used to actuate the clutch. The clutch and gear lever have to be used in conjunction so that would seem to make sense. Power assitance would be needed. I think vacuum is usually used to actuate which might be a complication.
The fierce nature of the Austin clutch might be a challenge.
There are companies that specialise in these conversions. They also know the regulationary requirements. The owner/user probably needs to pass a driving test too.
A friend has MS and can't use her right leg so has had a new Motability Toyota converted so the accelerator can be moved between right and left as required. That's much simpler because it's automatic transmission so only the accelerator is modified. However it takes practice to use the left foot for both accelerator and brake, especially when parallel parking.
A driving test was required.
I would have thought a control on the gear lever could be used to actuate the clutch. The clutch and gear lever have to be used in conjunction so that would seem to make sense. Power assitance would be needed. I think vacuum is usually used to actuate which might be a complication.
The fierce nature of the Austin clutch might be a challenge.
There are companies that specialise in these conversions. They also know the regulationary requirements. The owner/user probably needs to pass a driving test too.
A friend has MS and can't use her right leg so has had a new Motability Toyota converted so the accelerator can be moved between right and left as required. That's much simpler because it's automatic transmission so only the accelerator is modified. However it takes practice to use the left foot for both accelerator and brake, especially when parallel parking.
A driving test was required.
Jim