A 745, a car I hated and still regretted selling

Volvo0815 · Feb 1, 2018

Ever since completing the restoration of my 79 242GT (http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=339354) I was looking for a new project... and so I did for 9 months until a 291?000km 1989 745 popped up for sale. It was a auction to part out the car or export it. The next weekend me and my dad went to look at it and bought it for scrap metal price :lol:

The car came with 12 rims (8 aluminium and 4 steelies), a R-Sport Steering Wheel, a Tow hitch, Volvo Mudflaps, 740 Turbogrill, Snowcap, Oil pressure gauge, digital outside temperatur display, cruise control, a CD changer from 1991, 2 antennas, rare Volvo wind deflectors, a Volvo accesoir coin tray for the center console a electric fan and a lot of dirt/ cigarettes from the previous owner. The first owner had it until 250?000km and was a Volvogarage owner.

Where the car stood for 6 years

<a href="https://imgur.com/6REAOdC"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/6REAOdC.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/RoGeNjQ"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/RoGeNjQ.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

A better look at the ugly pig

<a href="https://imgur.com/KBaWLmA"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/KBaWLmA.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/GxNFbqN"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/GxNFbqN.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/QZ2pPI2"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/QZ2pPI2.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/azD4aC5"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/azD4aC5.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/wA6miX4"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/wA6miX4.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/RURUQwu"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/RURUQwu.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/mN4lJ6r"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/mN4lJ6r.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/0PZZsWe"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/0PZZsWe.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/iFiQz0H"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/iFiQz0H.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/Csdnznz"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Csdnznz.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

On the trailer and ready to go

<a href="https://imgur.com/vhehLmE"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/vhehLmE.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

That is all for this evening. More is coming tomorrow, stay tuned

Venlonaer · Feb 1, 2018

Results should be promising after seeing your 242 restored, looking forward

Volvo0815 · Feb 2, 2018

We drove the car for a few km?s to the closest car wash, from the looks we got the 740 must have looked terrible from the outside
<a href="https://imgur.com/NTxdYVg"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/NTxdYVg.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/voVULKa"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/voVULKa.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/m4YwYdz"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/m4YwYdz.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/z4XnbTP"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/z4XnbTP.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/GMJ8sCa"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/GMJ8sCa.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/2EofLdq"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/2EofLdq.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Washed and both sides polished

<a href="https://imgur.com/cZXoWbL"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/cZXoWbL.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/CK5D7e6"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/CK5D7e6.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/agoQwd8"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/agoQwd8.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/maxVtYJ"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/maxVtYJ.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/8Elam7X"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/8Elam7X.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/SLEiJ4t"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/SLEiJ4t.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/fSYyV0T"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/fSYyV0T.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Then the real work started:
New suspension, new rims, new taillights, USA Front, 740 Turbo exhaust etc. almost everything mechanical new.

<a href="https://imgur.com/7IYH2Q3"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/7IYH2Q3.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

A look at the cat revealed something unwanted

<a href="https://imgur.com/lgysvoz"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/lgysvoz.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/xwUpANA"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xwUpANA.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/p318aE5"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/p318aE5.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

I think it happened when we drove the car to the car wash, because we could smell that it was running too rich. Decided to buy a 740 Turbo Cat.

Black out all chrome and some of the front - didnt look too good, so the US front took its place

<a href="https://imgur.com/yUOb8AY"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/yUOb8AY.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/YZu9WNE"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/YZu9WNE.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/SCqdUiT"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/SCqdUiT.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Bought a 850/V70I Spoiler and modified it to fit the 740, the biggest challenge probably were the mounts, since we had to make them ourself. GT in the background looking sexy with that spoiler

<a href="https://imgur.com/RLCKNel"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/RLCKNel.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/PQrOona"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/PQrOona.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/oyhwUw5"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/oyhwUw5.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Fixed the common 740 problem: The hanging roof liner. The whole job took us about 5 hours, we were very pleased with the endresult. 2 weeks later the liner started hanging again, this time it wasnt the glues fault, the roof body was disintegrating. So I bought another one. Whole process again, but it worked out great.

<a href="https://imgur.com/H7oaWaq"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/H7oaWaq.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/Jv8o3x4"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Jv8o3x4.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/S72XDLQ"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/S72XDLQ.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/lv05Uvq"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/lv05Uvq.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/JnlToCE"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/JnlToCE.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/uNN20hE"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/uNN20hE.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Decided to install yellow foglamps, that I had bought for my GT

<a href="https://imgur.com/tZYhB5j"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/tZYhB5j.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/p02yR9z"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/p02yR9z.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/fTw0i4z"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/fTw0i4z.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/IS2vuBI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/IS2vuBI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

I guess you already noticed the problem with the clear coat... we sanded the whole car, pulled and filled all dents, scratches etc. primered the problem areas and then set off to paint the car.

<a href="https://imgur.com/T4x6CPb"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/T4x6CPb.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/8qnFRyT"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/8qnFRyT.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/Lyt5sWB"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Lyt5sWB.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/N56eHaH"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/N56eHaH.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

This was my dads first paint job since 27 years, I think he did a great job on it!

Volvo0815 · Feb 2, 2018

<a href="https://imgur.com/CU9VMgG"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/CU9VMgG.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/EDIwxKX"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/EDIwxKX.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/77qfvGl"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/77qfvGl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/DQD5hBi"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/DQD5hBi.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

And then I posted an ad on the internet with the following pictures, within 2 hours I already had a buyer.

<a href="https://imgur.com/OcnQGGr"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/OcnQGGr.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/HZ4Zg8f"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/HZ4Zg8f.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/QzewIqk"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/QzewIqk.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/WU9aIvx"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/WU9aIvx.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/AEqEH6X"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/AEqEH6X.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/qUvpcyu"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/qUvpcyu.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/tdRpGbI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/tdRpGbI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/FpiwaY8"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/FpiwaY8.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/USmkKBK"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/USmkKBK.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/r3AL5dK"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/r3AL5dK.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/cH6UO6c"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/cH6UO6c.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/gCe7Z1a"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/gCe7Z1a.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

I decided to fix the many problems with the instrument cluster. For example the Km Counter wasnt working, none of the lights etc. Fixed everything and when I tried to put the speedometer needle back on something inside the speedometer motor broke...

<a href="https://imgur.com/JgVkBA1"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/JgVkBA1.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/VrXWSfd"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/VrXWSfd.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/G2hgrUE"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/G2hgrUE.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

We sanded out all contamination/dirt from the paint and will polish it tomorrow

<a href="https://imgur.com/UMKANnw"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/UMKANnw.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Volvo0815 · Feb 2, 2018

Now to the question, why did I sell a fully restored 740 that we had spent 8 months on? At first I was very happy with my purchase, but as we started to fix things on the car more and more stuff broke. At first everything worked pretty good, so I thought it would only take us 1-2 months to get the car ready. But then the Km counter broke, together with the glovebox lighting, instrument lighting, blower resistor etc. Every saturday for 8 months we spent around 10 hours working on the car but it never really worked enough to get inspected for the registration. Literally everthing you touched or looked at broke, it started to become a money pit. I slowly got demotivated and mad at the car, then at my dad and so the fun "father son project" started to crumble. I talked with my dad a long time about selling the car to try to save our relationship and my bank account, he told me, that I payed for everything on the car and that it is my decision. Whatever decision I chose he will always help me with pleasure.
Thanks dad!

The car only is good to look at, but not to drive or use. Everything breakes on it and it isnt even fast, after 110km/h there is no more power. I?m happy that I sold it, but after 8 months this car started to become a part of the family.
Now that this POS is gone something new will arrive in 2 weeks, a 1983 245 Turbo 180hp (Stay tuned for its own Thread)

S70T5fivespeed · Feb 3, 2018

Good stuff. Difficult to walk away from a nice looking money pit sometimes.

What happened to the R sport wheel?

Venlonaer · Feb 3, 2018

Hmm too bad.... it's a common problem that cars that need just a bit of tlc end up being moneypits. Really like the end result, interested to see the next project

stiligFox · Feb 3, 2018

My goodness that's a beatiful looking car! So sorry about the mechanical issues :l

I love that Swedish flag under the hood! I've thought about doing that on my coil cover haha

Volvo0815 · Feb 4, 2018

S70T5fivespeed said:
Good stuff. Difficult to walk away from a nice looking money pit sometimes.

What happened to the R sport wheel?

I still have it, wasnt included with the car.

Volvo0815 · Feb 4, 2018

stiligFox said:
My goodness that's a beatiful looking car! So sorry about the mechanical issues :l

I love that Swedish flag under the hood! I've thought about doing that on my coil cover haha

I had bought some more spray cans to paint the inside of the hood with the swedish flag too.

Wilford Brimley · Feb 4, 2018

Needs more +t

MadDog_945 · Feb 5, 2018

really awesome work.. pre and after is amazing!

nordmaschine · Feb 5, 2018

Too big of a bite for a "father and son weekend project", 7s that stood for years need a strong hand.

Still, what you did, looks like you did great.

The bonus antenna you got...is it by chance a retractable power antenna and do you have it still?

Volvo0815 · Feb 5, 2018

nordmaschine said:
Too big of a bite for a "father and son weekend project", 7s that stood for years need a strong hand.

Still, what you did, looks like you did great.

The bonus antenna you got...is it by chance a retractable power antenna and do you have it still?

It isnt our first project, already restored a 1980 DKW Sachs 623 that stood for 15 years in a barn, then a 242GT that stood for 18 years. The car was just destroyed from the previous owner who did 20?000km with the car. After 8 Months and many thousands of Euros invested a car has to work and not break every week...

The 2. antenna is just like the one in the pictures, exept it is 15cm longer, about a 60cm antenna.

-Volvo0815

Volvo0815 · Feb 5, 2018

Wilford Brimley said:
Needs more +t

Agreed, that why I bought a 180hp 245 Turbo now

122power · Feb 5, 2018

Your wagon is cool! Nice work there. Those triangular window pieces are neat.

77volvo245 · Feb 5, 2018

manual windows

Volvo0815 · Feb 6, 2018

I took these pictures after the polishing. For the last time we mounted the summer rims again to take pics. Looking at these photos hurts me inside, because it looks so good and I regret selling it

<a href="https://imgur.com/juS0nGk"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/juS0nGk.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/NvzGeYH"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/NvzGeYH.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/Qnhs2k3"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Qnhs2k3.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/1pVcHZf"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/1pVcHZf.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/PyVZ2ux"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/PyVZ2ux.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

-Volvo0815

Venlonaer · Feb 6, 2018

That does really look slick, window tint a bit too dark for my taste but still nice. Still have those rims!

soclosenotnear · Feb 7, 2018

77volvo245 said:
manual windows

Whoa. Never seen an actual picture of these in a 7 series.

A 745, a car I hated and still regretted selling

New member

Member

New member

New member

New member

Its always 7:4O somewhere

Member

Part-time Tinkerer

New member

New member

Is posting from the grave

Våga Vägra 8V

forced instruction

New member

New member

dude

Well-known member

New member

Member

Active member