project Volvo Antique Hauler - getting a bit tyred

[Saabnut]

A few months ago, I agreed to reluctantly* add to the collection at home, and went to collect said vehicle. The collectee had sat for over 6 years, and whilst we got it going, it ran rough and being an auto refused to drive out onto the road so I could get my trailer winch cable to it, so I gave up when it started to rain. A month or so later, I went back, got it running a bit better but still not well enough to drive. However, being well organised, this time I had taken a tow rope to drag it onto the road, whereby I could attach the winch rope, however it was at this point I realised I had left the winch battery and winch controls at home. It then started raining, so I gave up and went home.

Last week, my friend called past the car with some tools and a new tool for detecting air leaks and found one of the induction pipes was half off in the area you cannot see, after which perfect running was restored. Today, I called in to see him and he told me the glad tidings, and as the sun was out we decided to pop down to Dundee, where the car was located, so I could see for myself. On arrival I parked the Saab next to it so I could attach jump leads, as the battery is unsurprisingly dead after 6.5 years sitting

It started easily and ran smoothly, so much so I decided to see if it would move under its own steam. This it did, and brimming with confidence* a run around the crescent it was located in showed all appeared well, even the brakes seemed to be working fine.  My friend and I discussed timing for when I could collect it, when I took leave of what little sense I normally have and a decision was made. One of the advantages of my trade insurance is I am covered up to 14 days before the number has to go on the MID so insurance was not a problem. A quick phone call to my friendly MOT man (who works 7 days a week) and it was booked in for an MOT for late this afternoon, on the strict understanding he did not get to see it today. So, pre booked MOT, check, Insured, check, 50 miles from home, check, having just covered a couple of hundred meters after sitting for six and a half years check. WCPGW?

Kept the speed down to a max of 50 as the tyres are a bit* cracked and have proper flat spots, with my friend following in my Saab, the journey home was pleasant, warm and comfortable, and most noticeably without an FTP! Tomorrow I will give it a full check over to see what I have bought. So far I know it needs tyres, a thermostat, an new engine temperature sender and a bit of sparkly stick action on the sills. Happy bunny!

[Schaefft]

It would be hard for me to resist the urge to polish this, it'd look like brand new.

[cms206]

JEALOUS.

[rml2345]

That looks quite bonny. 

[Mrs6C]

The 3rd photo shows a whole new look for cars: polished at the front and gradually less polished towards the back until finally the completely unpolished tailgate is reached!

It could catch on...

[stuboy]

why was it parked up?

[Saabnut]

51 minutes ago, stuboy said:

why was it parked up?

The PO became ill but kept the car for when he recovered. He had a leg amputated, but still kept the car for when he recovered as it was an auto. He is now in a hospice and his wife wanted rid....

[cpjitservices]

Nice to see the Solid Saab 95 in strong car capers!! That Volvo looks sweet!

 

2.3?

[bangernomics]

That’ll be a bonny motor once it’s back up to speed. The seats in those I found so comfortable and supportive. Plus for the capacity they pull well too.

[Kiltox]

10 hours ago, Schaefft said:

It would be hard for me to resist the urge to polish this, it'd look like brand new.

Agree - I’d be one of those wronguns who would polish the hell out of it too 

[cort1977]

Oooh, will have to come and inspect this at some point soon.

[GeordieInExile]

I love how huge these look while not actually being that big, thanks to the shortest set of doors ever fitted to a car.

[bezzabsa]

5 minutes ago, GeordieInExile said:

I love how huge these look while not actually being that big, thanks to the shortest set of doors ever fitted to a car.

But it's really easy to enter the interior.. i found them better than a lot of bigger doors...deceptive really

[Skizzer]

Glorious stuff.  Doing it right.

GLT as well — there’s posh. Must be one of the last before they facelifted the tailgate with flush glass, I guess?

[danthecapriman]

Lovely! Good old Volvo driving back and running well too after it’s lay up.

Id polish the fuck out of it too!

[Cavcraft]

Lovely old buses these things, top purchasing SKILLZ.

[Datsuncog]

Cor, that's simply fantastic.

Makes me wish I'd kept my old one... truly great cars, and getting scarcer.

Well bought!

[Saabnut]

Thanks all. Surprisingly this is the first Volvo I have actually owned apart from a brief foray with a 740 Turbo track hack and yes it is a 2.3

I needed to move it today to get the TDi Disco into the shed, but I could not leave the telephone until after a work call, so it was nearly 2pm by the time I went out. Swapped the battery for a less shagged one and it started easily, first turn. A quick look around shows the interior to be good and needing nothing, but the rear 6 inches of both sills have rotted away. No time to investigate today but I am hopeful I can do a temporary* bodge repair for now by welding new metal at the back rather than replacing the sills just now. Moving it showed the same problem I had yesterday, when cold it appears to briefly loose drive in reverse, but soon comes back and then seems to be OK. I think a fluid change is the first port of call there as it has 140k miles on it and I doubt it has ever been changed.

Once moved I got the Disco in, boost pressure sensor changed but still not boosting yet. I am beginning to suspect an air leak so will need to investigate further but when it is not blowing a gale so I can hear what is going on. By this time it was dark, so back inside for tea. I doubt I will have much time for car playing over the next couple of days as I have a couple of interviews (via Skype - ooh look at me joining the 20th century at last ) and I really need to see if I can get the old Deemster motorbike started, at least I have charged the (new) battery ready.

[hairnet]

18 hours ago, cms206 said:

JEALOUS.

is all the horn now engaged on the west coast

[hairnet]

nick - did you enquire about the other saab in the pictures...........

[Saabnut]

25 minutes ago, hairnet said:

nick - did you enquire about the other saab in the pictures...........

All the Saabs in the pictures already belong to me! No, I don't* have a problem

[hairnet]

6 minutes ago, Saabnut said:

All the Saabs in the pictures already belong to me! No, I don't* have a problem

oh didnt see it was your place i only saw the yellow 96

didnt notice the day van..........

facepalm etc

 

[anonymous user]

19 hours ago, cms206 said:

JEALOUS.

 I'm not jealous, well maybe envious, I'm still saving my Volvo 240 estate dog guard in case I can ever afford another 240 estate to go with it.

[Twisterboy]

Lovely old volvo

 

Davy

[eddyramrod]

Two randoms please!

[big_al_granvia]

looks braw, least it isnt going to be bangered.... 

[Saabnut]

A day basically wasted today as waiting on possible work calls, but it was blowing a gale and raining so not a lot lost. Volvo started first try again today, so the omens are good! Whilst waiting on calls I entertained* myself by scouring gumtree - I have to be really bored to do this, but today was worthwhile as I found some tyres locally at a good price. The advert was a week old and not expecting much, I sent an enquiry which was rapidly and coherrently answered and after Norway closed for the day so no more phone calls, I went to see them. As a result I now have 4 matching Dunlops, in the correct size which have covered a few hundred miles and have a manufacture date of July 2017, and all for £150. Cheaper than the cheapest Chinese Death Rings I could find so very happy with that! I will not fit them until the MOT work has been done so they are nice and fresh for the test.

[Zelandeth]

Nice one.  Still feel that I really should try one of these one day having been a Saab guy since before I could drive.  Do kind of wonder if that might be what eventually takes over from the Xantia one day.  Ticks the boxes for roomy, practical, low stress to drive and supremely comfortable as I recall.

Also often found with heated seats which my sometimes bad tempered spine appreciates.

[omegod]

My uncle was a manager at John Wallwork Volvo Liverpool when I was younger, he had a brand spanker one of these every few months and I had the pleasure of many a long journey in the boot of them, he then moved on to top spec 740 and 760 turbo's ...... be still my beating heart 

 

 

[BorniteIdentity]

I very much enjoyed my brief affair with a 240. Mine had also been off the road for some time - and I also jump started and just drove!

It will polish up beautifully if you're so inclined. 

Well saved!