3/9!

"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse) 09/03/2018 at 16:20 • Filed to: Dagen-H, Sweden, Infamy, Svensson

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Fifty-one years ago today Sweden went to the dark side and started driving on the right, despite more than 80% of voters saying “nej” to the idea in a referendum in the 1950s.

This referendum, in fact:

There was a major publicity campaign to inform the unwilling populace:

Here we see the consequences. I had thought these daylight pictures were staged as the actual changeover was at 5.00, but seemingly not. In Stockholm (this shows Kungsgatan in the city centre) the changeover period was extended over two days with roads reopening for traffic at 3pm (or kl 15.00 if you’re Swedish!). The most interesting features in the image are all red. A Messerschmitt KR175 or 200 (bottom right), an MGB GT (bottom left) and a Healey (mid left). The black car behind   the Healey is a 1951-53 Opel Kapitän , one of few models to come with an umlaut as standard. In front of the Healey we find a P2 Rekord.

The change came with musical accompaniment from the Telstars, who exhorted Svensson to håll sig till höger.

Me, I’ll håll mig till vänster, tack.

ttyymmnn > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 16:25

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Went off without a hitch.

Cé hé sin > ttyymmnn 09/03/2018 at 16:27

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It actually did, almost. Road traffic accidents fell for a while as people were being so cautious. With familiarity accidents soon went back to where they were.

Spanfeller is a twat > ttyymmnn 09/03/2018 at 16:29

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If you ever want to re-live Dagen H you only need to visit Veracruz

WilliamsSW > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 16:30

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What the heck is a ‘63 Impala doing in the middle of Stockholm?

ttyymmnn > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 16:30

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Familiarity breeds contempt.

Cé hé sin > WilliamsSW 09/03/2018 at 16:34

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Is that the big blue thing? American cars were quite popular in Sweden at one time. You still often see classic ones trundling around, although not modern ones.

WilliamsSW > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 16:36

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Yep, dead center of the photo. Surprised that a car that big would be popular over there. 

Cé hé sin > Spanfeller is a twat 09/03/2018 at 16:38

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I don’t think I’ve seen a more frightening sight on the roa d since I was in N epal!

Spanfeller is a twat > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 16:41

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It supposedly reduced incidents by giving a pseudo-racing line. But given this is an area with lots of fog and in a tropical area of the country (read=rainy all the time) I doubt it’s a very effective safety mechanism. Under heavy rain I doubt people will focus on the signage asking them to change lanes. 

Chinny Raccoon > WilliamsSW 09/03/2018 at 17:05

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A big old barge is ideal for trave ling there, long distances on roads that tend to be quite boring.  

fintail > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 17:11

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They even issued stamps for it, which amused me when I collected as a kid:

The dark car in front of the bus behind the diagonal one is also a Kapitän, this one from the early 50s.     Behind the bus looks like a prewar car.  I think the white car in front of the Healey might be a P2 Rekord.

Cé hé sin > fintail 09/03/2018 at 17:22

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(peers closely)

Yes, the white one is actually a Rekord P2 . I had been looking at the front end, which is similar to the P2 Kapitän .

Cé hé sin > Chinny Raccoon 09/03/2018 at 17:30

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Also, they may better withstand elk, or be perceived to do so!

Chariotoflove > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 17:37

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I lol’d for real at the umlaut standard bit. 

Cé hé sin > fintail 09/03/2018 at 17:39

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Not only, but also:

Cé hé sin > Chariotoflove 09/03/2018 at 17:44

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You’ll like this Volvo then.

The ÖV-4.

ranwhenparked > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 18:59

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Swedish collectors have actually been buying up and exporting a good number of rust free hulks from Western junkyards in recent years. I assume either to restore, or as parts cars for American classics that are already over there.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 20:05

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so before steering wheels were on the left, while driving on the left?

fintail > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 21:30

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The underwear for the win.

fintail > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 21:30

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Yep, that pan-American styling, GM roots showing through.

Chariotoflove > Cé hé sin 09/03/2018 at 22:32

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Oh yes.