Captain Mainwaring Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Nowthen, shiters. Just thought I'd share some pics of my '86 340 DL, my third Volvo 300 series. If it looks familiar to one or two of you, it's because it's practically identical to my last (CVT) 300 which also graced these pages, albeit with one crucial difference: Had really fancied another 1.4 manual after my first one bit the dust in about 2006, but before I moved house I didn't have space for a second car.The above-mentioned Variomatic was my daily smoker for a while but I couldn't get along with it, I dunno if it was knackered or what, but it didn't feel right and I sold it on.I know they're a bit weird to drive for the uninitiated, with the engine winding up while you're slowing down and vice versa, but nah, wasn't for me. I actually first saw this car at a local car show, had a right chinwag with the owner, nice bloke. He mentioned he'd been wanting shut of it because 60s stuff was far more his thing, he'd only picked this up because he saw it at an auction and couldn't resist it. Alas, he said he'd a buyer lined up it, so that was that. Bah.Few months on, and I'm idly flicking through the pages of carandclassic, and what should pop up but this filthy little strumpet! I was straight on the phone. Same bloke, he said the previous buyer was a no-show so he'd just decided to hang onto it for a bit longer. So now here it is with me! I've had a few bits to sort out on it, and I think the carb wants adjusting (not by me, I hasten to add), but overall she ain't looking bad at all! Ta for looking, be gentle! mercrocker, Split_Pin, Spiny Norman and 30 others 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingz123 Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Like these in that blue colour - dad had one once whilst his car was in the garage having repair work done... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amishtat Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 These seem more or less extinct round here now, the DRIFTYO boys have killed them off over the last decade or so. That looks a beauty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProgRocker Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Looks great! I quite like it's base spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Lovelybeans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpiusMaximus Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 I was just thinking yesterday about how I hadn't seen one of these in the flesh in years. Love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binhoker668 Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Absolutely loved mine. Got a real pang looking at these photies! Would love to think it survived somehow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Just lovely. LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeeExEll Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Remember this ad? danthecapriman and Shep Shepherd 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Whats it like with only 1400 cc to pull it along? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MondeoBlues Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 That's gorgeous, that is. My dad bought an '87 1.7 GL saloon in blue grey flavour in 1993 and ferried me and my brothers about in it when we were toddlers. I have very fond memories of being mesmorised by its headlamp wipers before I was old enough to wipe my own arse. The heated front seats once made my nan think she'd pissed herself. Good times. tooSavvy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobyd Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Loved my C reg one of these and to this day feel a dick for scrapping it over persistent running issues I'd now know how to solve some ten years later. Being 1985/86 does it have recirc air? I believe that was the bonus win on all models for that year. It's a quirky vacuum operated flap over the bulkhead that usually stops working but makes a fun pssssssh noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Norman Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 That looks well smart.Back in the day a friend of mine had a red C plate 1.4 and while it was no ball of fire it got down the road well enough although I remember the comfy seats better than anything else about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirley Knott Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 That's properly lovely, very very jealous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Lovely! Looks in great condition too. I had a late (91, J reg) 5 door 1.7 manual, it was a great car. Drove like a big old tank though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split_Pin Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Lovely! My dad had a 5 door GL A442ESX which lasted 20 years on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Honda Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Four on the floor? How miserable. CVTs are the tits though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Spot on that! Haven’t seen an un-messed with one for ages! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binhoker668 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Inevitably, I went on a 340 ebay/gumtree hunt after reading this.A few of the usual monged-out lowered drift heaps, but the cheapest on Gumtree is the best! Lovely wee red number.... The Moog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-cylinder Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 My first ever company car in late 1985 was a new 340, but to make you jealous mine was a 1.7GL! inconsistant, danthecapriman and Captain Mainwaring 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutty2006 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 I remember mum having one of these in the late 90s as a “stop gap” car. It was dark grey, 3 door on a D plate if I recall. Didn’t have power steering so it didn’t take long till it was traded in against a 6 month old jeep Cherokee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuboy Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 i had a 1.7 c reg gle......... wernt bad old beasty, could get ass out on twisty bits too Skizzer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Mainwaring Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 Thanks everybody! Whats it like with only 1400 cc to pull it along? As Spiny Norman said, you're not going to be burning people off at the lights, but they're quicker than they have any right to be. They're fairly willing from standstill, although as the tyres are laughably skinny, cornering at anything more than 5mph is suicidal. I've just ordered a couple of new tyres for it, and the tyre bloke asked if they were for a caravan. Being 1985/86 does it have recirc air? I believe that was the bonus win on all models for that year. It's a quirky vacuum operated flap over the bulkhead that usually stops working but makes a fun pssssssh noise. Certainly does! And yeah, it's fucked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutty2006 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 I've just ordered a couple of new tyres for it, and the tyre bloke asked if they were for a caravan. I had a similar experience ordering 4 new tyres for my Rekord. “That’s an odd size, are they for a caravan?” Cheeky git Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volvoman Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 Nice, the 300 series hold value, their prices are on the increase for sure.Back in my 240 estate days, the wife wanted to learn how to drive! so what did i buy her?A green 340 hatch (what else!!!)...but..............................i opted for the bloody auto (CVT) jobby!!! that was fun to drive It had some rust to the body too, so i got some green/yellow duct tape, an just covered up the small rust hole, which was on drivers door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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