MikeJr's 242 Project

Ok, I have yet another distraction from my 122 project. I've managed to finagle an 83 242 from another Volvo enthusiast. He had been planning a 16 valve swap on the car so it already had a few cool things like ipd sways, and a short S40 brake booster to clear the stock 16v intake. He also put the short bumpers and changed the tail lamps to the 6 panel ones. So it had some cool things done to it, and it came with a few extra parts including a NOS flat hood.
Current shot

Here are some of the first cell phone photos I got from the guy I bought it from.







My original plan was to just drive it and mess around with it after I got done with the 122. I got it home and decided just to install the flat hood, but thats it for now. Got to get done with the 122 first.



Then I started looking at the 240 inspiration thread and that damn Eggenberger Group-A 242, which is the prettiest 242 ever (until they put the racing decals on it). So I couldn't resist and decided to go ahead and make one for myself.







Fixed all the dents and dings as well as a few small rust spots. Then I sanded the whole thing down with 180 grit sand paper with a D/A sander.

Then prime


Then long blocked it with 180 grit


Re-prime and paint the jambs



Next step is to accumulate parts like late model fenders

Oh yes please!

You work fast...

Bad ass. Can't wait to see how this comes out.

What primer did you use over the factory paint?? Sorry for the newbie painter question

And I would murder someone for that nos hood

Chance said:

What primer did you use over the factory paint?? Sorry for the newbie painter question

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There is a bit of body work under that primer that I forgot to take pictures of. The primer is Sikkens high build surfacer, good stuff.

More work today. I fitted the hood, fenders, door, and front core support, as well as body worked and primed the fenders.




Beautiful, freshly painted jambs


Primer




Ready for a sh*t load of blocking then paint!




More group-a parts



Headlamp wiper hole delete

I went ahead and rolled the quarters for future wider wheels





And the fenders





More painted jambs



Sh*t's so brite. I need to turn the flash off

Here is what I keep on my desk for inspiration

Good to see it getting worked on. I had been looking forward to working on that car for YEARS! What are your plans for suspension/brakes? You getting the items originally purchased for that car? Looks like a great start Mike.

Very nice work

sweetswede said:

Good to see it getting worked on. I had been looking forward to working on that car for YEARS! What are your plans for suspension/brakes? You getting the items originally purchased for that car? Looks like a great start Mike.

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Yes. Me and Mike have worked out a deal on the Kaplan stuff.

The original deal for the 242 was that I would replace a bunch of different patch panels on his 57 bug in trade for the 242. I'm working on the bug at home at the same time. I'm also doing my dads 242 LS swap. Busy times.

Jaw drop! Holy crap, you are really doing this one up, and not wasting any time at it! Is that a NOS grill too!

Honestly, I have a bone to pick, I thought I had the last NOS flat hood in the box in my garage? Pictures or it doesn't exist!

Old Iron said:

Jaw drop! Holy crap, you are really doing this one up, and not wasting any time at it! Is that a NOS grill too!

Honestly, I have a bone to pick, I thought I had the last NOS flat hood in the box in my garage? Pictures or it doesn't exist!

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I've managed to get my hands on three of those NOS hoods here in Atlanta. One on Mike H. (740atl) black 242 that I did, My dads 242, and now mine. I paid $100.00 each for the two I bought and mine came with the car. All of the were bought at a local volvo salvage yard and my dads was the last one they had.

To be honest they are not that great. The original E coat primer is so old that you have to rough them up pretty good and re-prime them in order to get the paint to stick. When I did Mike Hs car the paint on the underside of the hood started coming off in sheets cause the original e-coat went bad long ago. Plus they have been sitting on a shelf for 30+ years and were a little warped, so they need a little massaging to get them back straight. I'd much rather have a good used one than a NOS.

You can see it with the original e coat in the pictures in my driveway.

Ohh wow, cool find then, does this place have other NOS stuff, were the two of them in boxes when you bought them? Mine is in the original box, hope it is not getting warped as it sits. Seems to be in perfect condition, like new! I have a couple of other NOS panels, that are beat to hell and need total refinishing before using, so I see what you are saying about that. Since they weren't in a box they sat up against each other, rubbing/dinging/scratching and accumulating dust and rust!

Awesome project so far, look forward to seeing more!

That's awesome, I have that same Autoart 242 model. Are you going to do the interior Group-A style too?

Bob said:

That's awesome, I have that same Autoart 242 model. Are you going to do the interior Group-A style too?

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2 sparco seats and a sparco steering wheel. Suede wrap on the dash.

I drove past that car twice a day for years while it sat in Snellville - glad to see that if Mike was going to let it go, that he let it go to a good home!

MikeJr. said:

2 sparco seats and a sparco steering wheel. Suede wrap on the dash.

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So when are you gonna paint my 242? I know this is gonna be awesome

blkaplan said:

So when are you gonna paint my 242?

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I'm sure we can work something out if you're really interested.