Northampton Shite Collection Thread

[rml2345]

Been meaning to do this since Sunday when I woke up again. On Saturday last I went with FATHA_RML245 to Northampton to buy a Volvo 740GL that had been on eBay. An offer to the seller saw it pulled, and a mad dash around on Friday night to try and sort train tickets/insurance etc. for the big day. Apologies as it is both dull and picture heavy.

 

Armadale in the rain.

 

The new ASDA

 

Omegabarge

 

Being an idiot I managed to cock up the train tickets to Edinburgh...

 

This hateful class 334 brought us into Edinburgh for 1Z54 to Birmingham, courtesy of CrossCountry. The really strange thing is that it was cheaper to book individual journeys than booking through TheTrainLine. Something to remember for the future...

 

HST hauled! Huzzah!

 

Birmingham. Never been there before and didn't leave New Street station, so all I can tell you is that New Street is massive and some of the buildings near it are quite square.

 

Then it was time to go to Northampton on one of these;

 

Class 350

 

About an hour later we reached Northampton. Sadly there aren't any more pictures, but it looks a bit like Bolton or something, so Google that. We were met at the station by Dennis, the chap selling the 740GL, so a quick blezz through the town in an X reg Astra diseasel was enjoyed* before we got sight of...

 

Telly!

 

Dennis is the chap in the snazzy pink shirt. He gave it a spin round as I wanted to listen for clonks and other unsavoury noises, but all was well so £450.00 was forked over in exchange for the keys. Like almost all 740s of a certain age, the fuel gauge was broken but we knew about that anyway. Unfortunately we also broke the odometer on the way home. C'est la vie, as the Germans say.

 

The journey home was split into three parts, with the first being Northampton to Charnock Richard services, so with a full tank of pez we hit the motorway

 

It was clear! A stop at the services for food and more pez, then it was my turn.

 

Note the apprehension...

 

An emergency pee break was the last opperchansity for pics in the light. I can't remember where this was taken, but Telly (as he is now known) did 40.8mpg between Charnock Richard and Gretna Green, which was pretty bloody impressive if I do say so myself.

 

Last stop was Gretna to change drivers and then home. Overall the trip took about 17 hours, much of which was spent on trains. The car bit was actually easier as I'd forgotten just how comfortable these things are on the motorway. Overall the em pee gees were about 32 as FATHA_RML245 has lead feet.

So was it worth it? Well... Telly is in superb nick considering his age and the 194,000 indicated miles. Apparently a reconditioned engine and 5 speed gearbox were fitted 19,000 miles ago and there's test 'till March and rent to the end of August. He's generally a lovely old hector which I plan to keep for a good while, so if you see us give a wave.

Can I be an Autoshiter again?

[scruff]

Ace

[skattrd]

It looks good, you can't beat a big Volvo

[KruJoe]

Welcome home, 245!

You do fill that cockpit very nicely. Being the puny squirt I am, I rattle about bit in my 850's leather chairs, but still find it mega-comfy for long distances.

 

Oh; reflective bumper inserts for the win!

[stuboy]

nice barge

[eddyramrod]

Old Volvo Eats Long-Distance Journey With Strangers.

Headline but no story, it's done precisely what one would expect. It's only 25 years old! Surely you weren't thinking you'd have problems?

 

May it serve you well for a long time yet.

[cms206]

My battered 745GLE and I paid a visit to Chateau 245 and we both thoroughly approve of this fine machine. It was absolutely 100% worth the £300 extra you paid over what I did for mine. Top work and MOAR UPDATES as things progress!

[CreepingJesus]

Top buy, sir! All this talk of old rear drive Volvos is making me want one too. Is the V70 just too new?

I'll keep an eye out for you, so if some random punter in a truck, or red V70 estate gives you a cheery/manic flash'n'wave...it'll be me!

[240gl]

That looks lovely. It looks like it's the same colour as the bonnet hinges on my 240.

[Rod/b]

I love the look of these. I like to think that the designers were in the office of VolvoBoss getting the drawings signed off when the head guy noticed they'd only done a Wagon, and gave them half an hour to come up with the saloon.

[rml2345]

FunnIly enough I've always preferred the saloon! Used to mistake them for a Silver Spirit when I was wee because of the chrome boot button...

RWD Volvos are TEH WINZ though.

[Jack_Harpers_Teeth]

Great write up - enjoyed reading that. Thanks.

[Shep Shepherd]

Volvo 700s FTW

 

I wish that I could get 40.8 mpg from The Volvo - I think the best I have ever achieved is 30...

[rml2345]

Not quite sure how it managed it Shep... Did the calculation three times just to be sure as it seemed to defy all logic

[Spiny Norman]

Excellent write up.

40mpg from a big ol' barge like a 740, that's well impressive. Looks like a smart one too, that's the way to do it.