my car was t-boned...what to do?

[243_Phantom]

I was taking some of the cracked interior pieces out of my '82, when I noticed that the B-pillar on the passenger side was a different color on the inside, it had crappy booger welds all over it, and was covered in bondo. Of course, this wasn't mentioned to me at all when i bought the 300 dollar car with a clear title.

I don't trust the bondo as a structural support to protect me or anybody else, and I've always wanted a 2 door, so I was thinking about doing a conversion (since I'm going to be doing some major work to fix it anyway). This isn't my daily driver, in fact, it isn't even my backup daily driver, so I have no problems with that. Other than that, the car is in pretty good shape. It runs well, it drives, and honestly doesn't have any other problems besides that and paint.

I realize it would be easier to just go get a 2 door, but those are pretty rare here in albuquerque, except in the junkyards, which won't sell me a whole car.

Thoughts?

[Lord Tentacle]

my thoughts

Steel
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j220/tiebird256/crosskountrytrip031.jpg

[tjts1]

Turn it into a 243
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_243

[WheyDey]

handicapable!

[towerymt]

241

[Captain Bondo]

my thoughts

Steel
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j220/tiebird256/crosskountrytrip031.jpg

At first, I was going to ask, but in retrospect, I don't even want to know what that is...:rofl:

Does sound like a good excuse for a cage though. I would take the car to a good alignment shop and tell them what you found and you want to know if anything is twisted.

[towerymt]

trailer

[Captain Bondo]

trailer


Looked through the gallery, I love it!

[A-Rode]

243!!!

if thats real, i may sh|t a brick

[243_Phantom]

Honestly, I have been wanting to do a 243 project for a long time. In fact, I had one in progress, but it was way too rusty. This car has zero rust, and needs a new B-pillar and driver's side quarter panel anyway. I'm also not too fond of the sunroof, so that could get rid of it nicely.

I can fabricate and weld very well, so I could actually see this happening.

What I need:
242 Rear quarter panels
245 Roof
242 Doors
?
?
?
?

No, it will not become a trailer.

Suggestions on an engine and transmission, please.

Oh, and no superchargers.

Except the 3rd door would be a wagon hatch. 242+245 ftw.

[Captain Bondo]

If you are doing a 243 with a wagon roof i would start with a wagon. The 242 rear quarters really have no bearing on this bro...

1)get a 245

2)cut the b-pillars, along with the front 2" of each quarter panel attached off of a 242

3) remove the 245's doors

3)cut the 245's b pillars out.

4)install the 242 doors, install 242 b pillars in appropriate position.

5)gut the rear 245 doors and shorten them the appropriate amount based on the change in b pillar position so they fill the hole between the b pillar and c pillar.

6)weld them back on.

7)paint it.

8)done.

[243_Phantom]

If you are doing a 243 with a wagon roof i would start with a wagon. The 242 rear quarters really have no bearing on this bro...

1)get a 245

2)cut the b-pillars, along with the front 2" of each quarter panel attached off of a 242

3) remove the 245's doors

3)cut the 245's b pillars out.

4)install the 242 doors, install 242 b pillars in appropriate position.

5)gut the rear 245 doors and shorten them the appropriate amount based on the change in b pillar position so they fill the hole between the b pillar and c pillar.

6)weld them back on.

7)paint it.

8)done.


but i already have the 244, and wagon roofs for 20 bucks each.

I don't like the idea of frankenstein extremely short rear doors welded shut, i'd rather get the 242 quarters from the b pillar to the back of the wheelwell, and the wagon rear quarter panels from the middle of the wheelwell all the way back (the overlap gives me room to work)
doors are 25 bucks each at the p&p, so you can guess where i'm going wednesday.

[Captain Slow]

Make a literal 240, no doors. Just cut a hole in the roof.

[243_Phantom]

dukes of hazzard style? come on, i'm not that much of a redneck. towery, how would a 241 work anyway?

[Captain Slow]

NO! I'm saying take all of the doors off, weld new metal over the holes and have no doors at all. Then cut a hole in the roof like a tank, and have a hatch!

[Mr. Porter]

do a 241! haha that would be awesome

[243_Phantom]

NO! I'm saying take all of the doors off, weld new metal over the holes and have no doors at all. Then cut a hole in the roof like a tank, and have a hatch!

holy blindspots batman!

I would need a periscope. and that could suck if there was a fire and the hatch got stuck.:grrr:

seriously, what would you like to see (something reasonable)?

[243_Phantom]

At first, I was going to ask, but in retrospect, I don't even want to know what that is...:rofl:

Does sound like a good excuse for a cage though. I would take the car to a good alignment shop and tell them what you found and you want to know if anything is twisted.

i would, but i know it is a bit tweaked. that side of the car is about a quarter of an inch shorter.

i'm just going to do my best to fix/modify it, and see what happens. if i screw up, it was only 300 bucks anyway.

[Redwood Chair]

Starting without a wagon means you don't have the hatch surround,wagon reinforcing
pan behind and under the back seat,wagon seats,cubby holes,rear interior,rear 1/4 window surrounds. Basically graft on the whole rear end on and risk losing the shape of the car.
Then the door issue,and cu$tom gla$$,window seals,and window surround trim needs to be figured out.

[CaptainWhoosh]

241!

[243_Phantom]

Starting without a wagon means you don't have the hatch surround,wagon reinforcing
pan behind and under the back seat,wagon seats,cubby holes,rear interior,rear 1/4 window surrounds. Basically graft on the whole rear end on and risk losing the shape of the car.
Then the door issue,and cu$tom gla$$,window seals,and window surround trim needs to be figured out.

Ken, you have good points, and i swear I'm not trying to be rude, but i have some of my own. I don't need reinforcing pans, as it will have a full cage, I don't want the folding rear seat of the wagon, or cubby holes. The fuel cell would go right over them anyway. (though a 3rd row seat would be pretty cool in a 243) I'd like the rear interior to seem seamless, so that'll be custom. I've got the doors figured out, i just need a cordless saw to take to the junkyard. Window seals will be a problem, but windows are just flat glass.

[towerymt]

towery, how would a 241 work anyway?
weld up the side that was t-boned and just have one door on the drivers side.

[Redwood Chair]

Thanks,no problem.
I am just putting some thoughts out there.
You might want to consider building your own window seals with neoprene cement.
The 18 V Dewalt sawsall is very powerful.

[243_Phantom]

Thanks,no problem.
I am just putting some thoughts out there.
You might want to consider building your own window seals with neoprene cement.
The 18 V Dewalt sawsall is very powerful.

I want a dewalt one so bad. i have 2 dewalt drills, but i'd like to get the 14v, as I have plenty of extra batteries for those. that reminds me, i need some gas for my MIG.
i'm not worried about the car losing the shape, except when i'm first putting it all together, then i'll brace it with some 1x1 square tubing temporarily. the roof will be last, so i can get everything straight first. what do you think: older style wagon rear or newer?

[Redwood Chair]

I want a dewalt one so bad. i have 2 dewalt drills, but i'd like to get the 14v, as I have plenty of extra batteries for those. that reminds me, i need some gas for my MIG.
i'm not worried about the car losing the shape, except when i'm first putting it all together, then i'll brace it with some 1x1 square tubing temporarily. the roof will be last, so i can get everything straight first. what do you think: older style wagon rear or newer?

I guess it depends on what you find.
91 up has the late style lift gate with flush glass that looks pretty slick,
and doesn't tend to rust as much.
I think you are in Arizona so that's a mute point.
I like a 6" fine tooth metal blade around the double wall sections,
and a short blade held at a good angle mid panel.

[WheyDey]

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1514340/2/istockphoto_1514340_molotov_cocktail.jpg

[243_Phantom]

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1514340/2/istockphoto_1514340_molotov_cocktail.jpg

you disappoint me. Courtesy of Redwood Chair, this is more the idea...
http://a935.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/31/l_c3c9d0fcc473ec7bc7370dbe48a32e3e.jpg

[243_Phantom]

http://a181.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/69/l_2382e72d215ee8764ff87e1ee79c523c.jpg

the car in question, and the "new" 242 doors for the 243 conversion.

[Captain Slow]

Are you really trying this?

[243_Phantom]

Are you really trying this?

yeah. but it will go slowly. i work 70 hours a week, and i'm a full time student as well.

[Redwood Chair]

Wow looking straight!,Nice body.:)
I like the 7" rounds,and real chrome beltline trim,
and the cowl is ready for a flathoody.
Great climate there,no rust and the pearl anodize
on the commandos looks like new.

[slowmotion]

three words: convertible.

[2fast242gt]

so will somone explain whats so cool about a 243? i could see making it a 2 door.

[bullitt210]

I am doing the exact same project. I have always wanted to make a 2 door Volvo wagon. I came really close a few years ago, was ready to tear it down and then went through a divorce and had to sell the car. Fortunately, I just bought back the SAME car from my friend and have all the parts to make the conversion. I have great Photoshop pics of what it will look like, but no way to post them. It really will look great, guys, trust me. I hate the idea of cutting up a 242 to do this, but I got it for $150 and it doesn't have a title. It just has to happen now. The first cut will be the hardest....

[243_Phantom]

I am doing the exact same project. I have always wanted to make a 2 door Volvo wagon. I came really close a few years ago, was ready to tear it down and then went through a divorce and had to sell the car. Fortunately, I just bought back the SAME car from my friend and have all the parts to make the conversion. I have great Photoshop pics of what it will look like, but no way to post them. It really will look great, guys, trust me. I hate the idea of cutting up a 242 to do this, but I got it for $150 and it doesn't have a title. It just has to happen now. The first cut will be the hardest....

mine has a title, but I don't mind cutting it because it was t-boned, it runs and drives great, has no rust (so I won't have to replace floors or anything like that), and it was only 300. that would suck if mine didn't have a title. then i wouldn't be able to actually drive it when it was done.
i would love to buy back my original 243 project, but it has been crushed. :(

Bullitt210, email me the pictures, and I'll post them. PM me.

[Redwood Chair]

so will somone explain whats so cool about a 243? i could see making it a 2 door.

2 door wagons are a rare breed,anyone can buy a coupe'.

[243_Phantom]

2 door wagons are a rare breed,anyone can buy a coupe'.

making it into a 242 would be the easy way out.

yeah, and why pay all that money to import a RHD hearse?:-P

[Mueller]

so will somone explain whats so cool about a 243? i could see making it a 2 door.

not that it's a big deal, but having a single door on one side and two on the other just screams salvage/totalled car, no biggie until you try and sell it....

late '60 Chevy Suburbans actually came with one door on the drivers side and 2 on the passanger side now that I think of it....those I do like...


I love the idea of 2 door wagon !!!!!!

[243_Phantom]

not that it's a big deal, but having a single door on one side and two on the other just screams salvage/totalled car, no biggie until you try and sell it....

late '60 Chevy Suburbans actually came with one door on the drivers side and 2 on the passanger side now that I think of it....those I do like...


I love the idea of 2 door wagon !!!!!!

None of us is trying to make the "volvo mistake 243" We're all doing 143 and 243s in the sense that they are wagons with 142/242 doors and a wagon hatch. Think Chevy Nomad.

My dad had one of those nun-busses back in the day. It had the cool factor, but just because it came like that. I don't know why anyone would want 1 big door and 2 little doors unless it was factory.

[Mueller]

None of us is trying to make the "volvo mistake 243" We're all doing 143 and 243s in the sense that they are wagons with 142/242 doors and a wagon hatch. Think Chevy Nomad.

My dad had one of those nun-busses back in the day. It had the cool factor, but just because it came like that. I don't know why anyone would want 1 big door and 2 little doors unless it was factory.

I'm confused, your signature shows 2 244s, no wagons...

243 should be 3 door salon

245-2 should be the wagon version

[2fast242gt]

o i thought you guys wanted to make the retarted volvo mistake 242 with 244 doors on one side. hence 243. if your raced that would you have to race it in a "special" catagory like the special olimics but for cars?

[rock-a-hula]

my thoughts

Steel
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j220/tiebird256/crosskountrytrip031.jpg

:wtf::wtf:
this kill u! sorry for bad english!
http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/524E3B3747A94B3AC125730F00509B07/$FILE/AppJ_Art_253.pdf?Openelement

[norcal505]

haha
this whole time i thought you mean THIS by 243, then i saw the wiki page
:-P:rofl:
http://www.swedespeed.com/gallery/generated//Etcetera/Volvo%20Museum=Gothenburg/101__scaled_600.jpg
http://www.swedespeed.com/gallery/generated//Etcetera/Volvo%20Museum=Gothenburg/106__scaled_600.jpg

[2fast242gt]

i like that version of the 243.

[GrandmaSideways]

me too.
Dig the concept car only taillights!

[bullitt210]

haha
this whole time i thought you mean THIS by 243, then i saw the wiki page
:-P:rofl:
http://www.swedespeed.com/gallery/generated//Etcetera/Volvo%20Museum=Gothenburg/101__scaled_600.jpg
http://www.swedespeed.com/gallery/generated//Etcetera/Volvo%20Museum=Gothenburg/106__scaled_600.jpg

I LOVE this f-in car!!! I would like to build this for myself, but that's alot of fabrication. Looks like the old Chevy avoN hatch would make a good donor hatch, though.... hmmm.