Project Volvo 740, interior headlining finished! Pg 23.

[danthecapriman]

Also found these two weird 740's on Flickr.

 

Both left hand drive, U.K. Registered but seemingly US imports!

 

1986 Volvo 740 GLE Saloon by Jamie-A, on Flickr

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/38389354@N07/4607239704/in/photolist-828iRj-fR2ex9-dbDoro-dbDmqu-bB8Kjo-phqCKV-C9xsoq-9Wj4yr-ERM9Bf-9f95FM-ERM9B5-DxL8v4-bEXDba-7NJ7JM-5nSJ4q-eRDdGX-AGT76T-3HhAgv-9Yz71y-7eXQSZ-5uuG5B-a6Cp94-AGTqY2-wxP1VW-vf33r-7eXPoT-qD2Jtp-ejyaG9-cy1sgo-2g4xCn-cy1sto-6MVt4c-js3Kg-DxL8w6-i9F3N-7f2Grd-nzCaTk-EeKf9-8HbDrb-E6Mxew-a5ZoNP-4vKoMe-7f2G29-7eXNpH-cGzQFj-ERM9Ad-8hpvZD-e5xpf9-A8WEMi-E6Mxe1

 

I wonder why someone would import one given there's shit loads of them already here?

Possibly from a US serviceman imported for them from the states?

[cpjitservices]

I think the problem lies with the bulb holders.

The European holders are different sizes to the US ones so you can't reuse them. If you do a US conversion as I have, you absolutely must make sure you get wiring pig tails and bulb holders from the US with them!

Because I've swapped indicators and sidelights around the US bulb holders can't take the DRL's, as I'm using the US indicators bulb holders as sidelights connected to the original European wiring.

Christ, I'm confusing myself now!

 

 

This! Mines an original sunroof. I'm still a peasant though as I have to manually wind it open. A true lord would have a power sunroof like 760's have.

I wonder if a 760 one would fit?

 

It's crossed my mind to buy a dead 760 with a nice interior and strip the plusher interior bits I want to go in my 740!

My interior is utterly ruined in the front, near perfect in the back. Its the door cards that annoy me the most! Apparently ones from a 940 will fit so im on the lookout! 

[Shep Shepherd]

I think the problem lies with the bulb holders.

The European holders are different sizes to the US ones so you can't reuse them. If you do a US conversion as I have, you absolutely must make sure you get wiring pig tails and bulb holders from the US with them!

Because I've swapped indicators and sidelights around the US bulb holders can't take the DRL's, as I'm using the US indicators bulb holders as sidelights connected to the original European wiring.

Christ, I'm confusing myself now!

 

 

This! Mines an original sunroof. I'm still a peasant though as I have to manually wind it open. A true lord would have a power sunroof like 760's have.

I wonder if a 760 one would fit?

 

It's crossed my mind to buy a dead 760 with a nice interior and strip the plusher interior bits I want to go in my 740!

 

The Volvo's sunroof is electric. My long-term goal is to replace the sunroof cassette with one from a late 940/960/V90, giving me a glass sunroof panel instead of a solid metal one.

[cpjitservices]

The Volvo's sunroof is electric. My long-term goal is to replace the sunroof cassette with one from a late 940/960/V90, giving me a glass sunroof panel instead of a solid metal one.

I call my sunroof the moonroof because it it doesnt open and cant be covered up (no cover) all I see through it is moon light on the way home from work lol. 

 

Dont fancy changing it or opening it as its sealed, and probs for good reason!

[danthecapriman]

My interior is utterly ruined in the front, near perfect in the back. Its the door cards that annoy me the most! Apparently ones from a 940 will fit so im on the lookout!

 

I'm lucky with mine as they're pretty good just a few of the separate plastic bits are damaged, like the trims around the front door interior handles and power window switches.

Trouble I'm getting is finding good replacement bits in the right colour! There's not much around over here anymore. Hence, getting stuff from other countries if it's available. I think whole interiors and door cards would cost a lot in postage however!

 

The Volvo's sunroof is electric. My long-term goal is to replace the sunroof cassette with one from a late 940/960/V90, giving me a glass sunroof panel instead of a solid metal one.

It's surprising how much fits and convenient having 900 bits interchangeable with the old 700's.

There's some weird and rare parts too from other markets I've not seen before too. Volvo did an optional upgrade steering wheel for these would you believe! It looks similar but it's more plush with full leather instead of the plastic centre bit. I'd love to get one but they're so rare!

And the centre console lids with the slide out cup holders for the front and rear.

 

 

Here's the steering wheel I want!

http://www.volvere.fi/images/740GLE-88/740GLE-15.jpg

[cpjitservices]

I'm lucky with mine as they're pretty good just a few of the separate plastic bits are damaged, like the trims around the front door interior handles and power window switches.

Trouble I'm getting is finding good replacement bits in the right colour! There's not much around over here anymore. Hence, getting stuff from other countries if it's available. I think whole interiors and door cards would cost a lot in postage however!

 

 

It's surprising how much fits and convenient having 900 bits interchangeable with the old 700's.

There's some weird and rare parts too from other markets I've not seen before too. Volvo did an optional upgrade steering wheel for these would you believe! It looks similar but it's more plush with full leather instead of the plastic centre bit. I'd love to get one but they're so rare!

And the centre console lids with the slide out cup holders for the front and rear.

Mine has the door pockets missing and the seat pockets, and like yours, the interior handles are none existent. Shame. Keeping eyes open for tan colour door cards and the pockets. I have make shift cup holders and they work perfect!! 

[danthecapriman]

This is kind of related, but for those that don't read the 'shite in miniature' thread I've just got these.

 

IMG_0762 by Dan Clark, on Flickr

 

Stahlberg 1/20 scale Volvo 760GLE

 

IMG_0761 by Dan Clark, on Flickr

 

Polistil 1/25 scale Volvo 740

 

Both look great and go very nicely with my 1/1 scale 740!

[danthecapriman]

Had these delivered from the US!

 

IMG_0765 by Dan Clark, on Flickr

 

Replacement front door handle interior trims. I couldn't find any over here, in beige so had to either wait and see if any come up (I don't do waiting!) or shell out on postage from the US. They're in good nik so went for them, and they survived air mail too!

I'll get them fitted soon when it's dry out.

 

I gave the car a good wash and Hoover out the other day. It's looking lovely now!

However, as I washed the rear quarter widow a few flakes of rusty paint came off with the sponge.

It's the underside of the roof gutter that's started to go crusty. It's only about a two inch section above the estate section window. I've scraped it back and it's all solid, no holes. Luckily.

There was also some loose paint and surface rust on the top side of the gutter itself so I've rubbed that back to clean steel too. Then it got a couple of coats of rust converter followed by two coats of blue top coat.

Lucky I found that when I did really as it was quite hard to see and could easily of been missed, then a few years later I'd have ended up with a rust hole! It looks fine now and should be a lasting repair.

At the same time, I touched in a big stonechip on the bonnet and a scratch/thin paint on the other sides gutter/roof area.

[AndySnapper]

They look as good as new! Great find.

[cpjitservices]

Had these delivered from the US!

 

IMG_0765 by Dan Clark, on Flickr

 

Replacement front door handle interior trims. I couldn't find any over here, in beige so had to either wait and see if any come up (I don't do waiting!) or shell out on postage from the US. They're in good nik so went for them, and they survived air mail too!

I'll get them fitted soon when it's dry out.

 

I gave the car a good wash and Hoover out the other day. It's looking lovely now!

However, as I washed the rear quarter widow a few flakes of rusty paint came off with the sponge.

It's the underside of the roof gutter that's started to go crusty. It's only about a two inch section above the estate section window. I've scraped it back and it's all solid, no holes. Luckily.

There was also some loose paint and surface rust on the top side of the gutter itself so I've rubbed that back to clean steel too. Then it got a couple of coats of rust converter followed by two coats of blue top coat.

Lucky I found that when I did really as it was quite hard to see and could easily of been missed, then a few years later I'd have ended up with a rust hole! It looks fine now and should be a lasting repair.

At the same time, I touched in a big stonechip on the bonnet and a scratch/thin paint on the other sides gutter/roof area.

I did see some state side too, but being the state my door cards are in I thought it would be an unworthy purchase.

 

Good find.

[danthecapriman]

Cold here overnight.

 

IMG_0766 by Dan Clark, on Flickr

 

Sparkly!

[eddyramrod]

That's fine, it'll still start and drive better than anything else in your street!

[danthecapriman]

That's fine, it'll still start and drive better than anything else in your street!

Tbh I'm fairly confident that is going to be the worst winter can offer down here. Especially given how wet and mild the last few years have been!

 

Come on winter, I want heavy snow this year! No rain, just really cold, dry, but with snow!

[Guest Hooli]

I want snow too, lots n lots of the stuff. We need a proper winter.

[danthecapriman]

I want snow too, lots n lots of the stuff. We need a proper winter.

I love snow! It looks lovely on a nice dry winters day after it's snowed. I like taking the dogs for a walk in it and they love it too.

The last few winters have been shit, rain can fuck right off. Wind and storms can also fuck right off. Grim depressing shit weather.

[danthecapriman]

Been a few months since anything happened with this.

 

And there's been little to report really. It's starting driving and doing its job perfectly which has been great.

There are some important outstanding jobs to do though so I thought I'd try to get these done before the MOT in March.

Trouble is the weather isn't playing ball. It's pretty much pissing with rain and freezing cold and/or blowing a gale constantly so I've not had the time so far. If I've said it once I've said it a million times, but, FUCK YOU WINTER!

 

Anyway,

Something's come up where it's going to be crucial to have this car able to drive a decent distance in a day. Sadly not for anything particularly nice but that's part of life I guess.

So not wanting to take chances I've decided to take the car to the local garage and just leave it with them for a few days to complete my list of work. It won't be cheap but I don't have time and the weathers grim and I'm not getting wet or cold! Getting it done should mean it can take the 500 mile trip without causing any issues. Hopefully!

 

The work they're doing:

1: Replace the cambelt and tensioner.

2: Replace the water pump

3: Fit new undertray (currently completely missing)

4: set headlight aims (new US lights are miles out of alignment!)

 

The cambelt is important, I've no idea when it was last done and I'm not taking chances with that over that sort of distance. The water pump, again, no idea if/when it was last done and it's recently started weeping from its bearing so logic says just do it regardless.

Undertray, that can be fitted just to finish off the major engine work and headlight aims need doing for other road users sake! The point is I need this sorted ready for Thursday and I'd not get it done in that space of time myself on the driveway. I'll just pay for it by doing another overtime job!

 

In addition to that, one of the rear calipers has started dragging! It's only done it recently but it was most noticeable the morning it went in to the garage as it took a fair bit of force to reverse the car off the drive. So that's going to be replaced too.

All being well I'll get it back early next week ready to go. I've done this trip loads of times in the gold saloon and they just eat up the miles easily, but this ones been sat for a couple of years and not done a long trip for some time yet so this should be a good run for it!

It's been good so far running around locally and I'm pretty confident in this car now so fingers crossed...

[danthecapriman]

Got the big blue brick back today. Money spent but it's all done and it's saved me getting cold and wet!

 

Cam belt and tensioner is done. No issues and the old belt looked ok, still well worth doing though.

Water pump done. Old part was ancient but not in terrible condition inside. Again, worth doing anyway while everything was apart anyway.

Headlight aims. Done and they were miles out! Saves other people being blinded by me!

New undertray fitted. This has made a big difference! It's much quieter now to drive and you can't feel wind under the car anymore.

 

While it was in bits it was noticed that the front crank oil seal was leaking so that's been replaced too. All three of the drive belts (2x alternator 1x PAS) have been replaced too as they were all past it.

Both these jobs were best being done now while everything was stripped down, good practice and thorough!

 

Finally one of the rear calipers was sticking so that's also been replaced. This is also very noticeable that it's done as there no more screeching from the brakes and it's moving much more freely now too.

 

I'd get some pics up but it's absolutely pissing down. Again!

[tooSavvy]

Shep:

"..The Volvo's sunroof is electric. My long-term goal is to replace the sunroof cassette with one from a late 940/960/V90, giving me a glass sunroof panel instead of a solid metal one.."

 

+1 vote for all glass - my Carina II has a low roof and it brightens the whole place up

 

TS

[Jim Bell]

This car is proper amazing. Tremendous work man. Pretty much my ideal Volvo if I was writing a wish list.

[danthecapriman]

This car is proper amazing. Tremendous work man. Pretty much my ideal Volvo if I was writing a wish list.

Cheers!!

 

It's pretty much my perfect ovloV too. Needed a good bit of work to sort it out but well worth doing imho.

It's easy to forget how old these are now. It's getting harder and harder to find good ones now and the ones left are starting to need a bit of recommissioning after 30 odd years.

I'll keep going with this one I think, most of the big stuff is now done it's just tidying up and odd jobs. Next on the hit list is having the entire roof and bonnet repainted to sort peeling sunroof lid out and some of the lacquer is just starting to go. And the dent on the rear wheel arch at the same time.

Then I want new rear shocks and springs!

That might have to wait for a little while though until the Capri is sorted.

[Jim Bell]

Good on you. I dont think therell be many people putting this kind love into Diesel Volvos. You might end up in a very exclusive group.

[danthecapriman]

Good on you. I dont think therell be many people putting this kind love into Diesel Volvos. You might end up in a very exclusive group.

Diesel! Good god man I don't use diesel. ''Tis filthy smelly peasant fuel! I waft in glorious gasoline goodness! MPG worries are not but a trivial insignificance to a gentleman of my wealth and taste...

 

Or something along those lines!

[Jim Bell]

Fuck, is this a pez?!

My mind must be going.

Dunno how I thunk it was a 5 pot derv.

Still mega cool mind.

[danthecapriman]

Fuck, is this a pez?!

My mind must be going.

Dunno how I thunk it was a 5 pot derv.

Still mega cool mind.

Yep. 2.3 redblock petrol. I don't think they did the GLE with the diesel lump tbh? Or did they...

 

Edit,

Seems they did do a GLE diesel.

 

Volvo 740 GLE by Nacho, on Flickr

 

Though I'm still yet to see a uk example. Maybe it was a European market only thing like the 240 diesel?

[Six-cylinder]

Yep. 2.3 redblock petrol. I don't think they did the GLE with the diesel lump tbh? Or did they...

 

Edit,

Seems they did do a GLE diesel.

 

Volvo 740 GLE by Nacho, on Flickr

 

Though I'm still yet to see a uk example. Maybe it was a European market only thing like the 240 diesel?

I sold Volvos from 1985 and the 760GLE with available and badged with a six cylinder turbo diesel engine.

[Six-cylinder]

This was Mrs6C's 740GL estate she had in the USA in 2003, it is a 1993 and a year later than 740 lasted in the UK. It is 2.3i cat ZF 4 speed auto and GLE trim without sunroof or alloy wheels but with air con.

 

I took and passed my Texas driving test in this car.

[Ghosty]

That’s really nice. I love the facelift cars in dark colours.

[danthecapriman]

That’s really nice. I love the facelift cars in dark colours.

It is nice!

Bit of a weird spec too.

 

Was air con an expensive option on these back then six-cylinder?

My saloon (87 E reg 2.3GLE auto) had A/C but you don't seem to see many 740's with it?

[Ghosty]

Yeah, it’s one of those weird options like the velour seats that nobody much seems to go for.

Annoyingly I don’t have any price lists, just a few brochures (87 saloon, 87 estate, 1990 and a few other various Volvo bits like 1993 accessories) so o can’t even look far into it.

[danthecapriman]

There was a plusher steering wheel available too, I'm keeping an eye out for one! And there were colour coded coin trays that fit on top of that triangular shaped space above the radio etc. And the centre console armrest had an upgraded version with cup holder in it that slide out like the 850's had.

The cloth trims in the door cards also had a wood upgrade kit too.