MSGGrunt
New member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2018
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
Yes, this is my third build thread and to say I have been bitten by the Volvo bug is an understatement. These cars have a classic look, just the right size, end even my 18 year old stepdaughter thinks they are cool.
I like cars that are "different" than everything else on the road. When a lot of people were/are satisfied with Jeeps I was into Landcruisers FJ40/60/62/80/79, when I wanted sports cars I have had BMWs, one being a very rare 1987 M6 that is now with a new owner in Poland and more recently a true mid-engine Porsche Cayman S. I have an all wheel drive BMW E30 325iX that will probably end up being my Winter daily driver. I went through several W201 Mercedes 190s and W124 300E/E320s with a 1982 W126 300SD turbo diesel thrown in for good measure.
I WAS previously into the E24 and E30 BMWs and still have a E30 1990 325ix pushed into the corner of my garage waiting to have a 5-speed swap completed and a 85,000 mile 1986 325E that is going in for a total re-spray next week, but the Volvo 240s have changed me. They are just a bit bigger, easier to work on, parts are more readily available and often less expensive. Volvo parts cars seem to be more available locally on Craigslist with the older BMWs really going up in price.
My first taste in the Volvo realm was my maroon wagon I am lifting and turning into my "workhorse" vehicle. The second is the very clean, low miles car out of Texas that will be a fair-weather only car, then there is my third 240, which I will chronical here. This car a 1991 that I bought out of Ashville, NC with 254,000 miles. The car was originally sold in GA and then moved to NC.
The car was owned by an engineering professor at the University of NC Ashville and was impeccably maintained and hence why the higher miles (by some car standards) did not matter as much. There isn't a single bit of rust on it. The paint is a little faded, but I am sure some time with a buffer and cutting compound can bring it back to life.
The car has a new fuel tank, two new fuel pumps, Volvo converted AC, IPD front and rear sway bars, recent timing belt/water pump/belts and hoses. Solid exhaust system and recent brakes. It came with records of engine, transmission, rear axle, brake and coolant fluid changes.
Much like my Texas car I was "just browsing" when I saw this car on CL at a very reasonable price. I talked to the owner and made arrangements to fly down from Massachusetts to Ashville and take delivery of the car. I drove the car home the 800/900 miles without incident. Everything worked as it should.
So, what does it need? Mostly cosmetic stuff. Read on.
I like cars that are "different" than everything else on the road. When a lot of people were/are satisfied with Jeeps I was into Landcruisers FJ40/60/62/80/79, when I wanted sports cars I have had BMWs, one being a very rare 1987 M6 that is now with a new owner in Poland and more recently a true mid-engine Porsche Cayman S. I have an all wheel drive BMW E30 325iX that will probably end up being my Winter daily driver. I went through several W201 Mercedes 190s and W124 300E/E320s with a 1982 W126 300SD turbo diesel thrown in for good measure.
I WAS previously into the E24 and E30 BMWs and still have a E30 1990 325ix pushed into the corner of my garage waiting to have a 5-speed swap completed and a 85,000 mile 1986 325E that is going in for a total re-spray next week, but the Volvo 240s have changed me. They are just a bit bigger, easier to work on, parts are more readily available and often less expensive. Volvo parts cars seem to be more available locally on Craigslist with the older BMWs really going up in price.
My first taste in the Volvo realm was my maroon wagon I am lifting and turning into my "workhorse" vehicle. The second is the very clean, low miles car out of Texas that will be a fair-weather only car, then there is my third 240, which I will chronical here. This car a 1991 that I bought out of Ashville, NC with 254,000 miles. The car was originally sold in GA and then moved to NC.
The car was owned by an engineering professor at the University of NC Ashville and was impeccably maintained and hence why the higher miles (by some car standards) did not matter as much. There isn't a single bit of rust on it. The paint is a little faded, but I am sure some time with a buffer and cutting compound can bring it back to life.
The car has a new fuel tank, two new fuel pumps, Volvo converted AC, IPD front and rear sway bars, recent timing belt/water pump/belts and hoses. Solid exhaust system and recent brakes. It came with records of engine, transmission, rear axle, brake and coolant fluid changes.
Much like my Texas car I was "just browsing" when I saw this car on CL at a very reasonable price. I talked to the owner and made arrangements to fly down from Massachusetts to Ashville and take delivery of the car. I drove the car home the 800/900 miles without incident. Everything worked as it should.
So, what does it need? Mostly cosmetic stuff. Read on.