fao Volvo lovers... == now with crap pics!!! ==

[MrDuke]

In the forum's esteemed opinion, just supposing there was a 740GLE up for grabs, completely mint inside and out, 101k, ex-retired couple, leather interior, chrome arch trim etc... how much would it hypothetically be worth (to someone who actually likes them?)

Not wishing to give the impression that I've actually done something silly already, of course...

[trigger]

What year is it?, I would guess that if i paid anything under £400 for it i'd be happy.Is it an Estate or Saloon then?, if it's a saloon i wouldn't expect it would be worth anymore then £300.

[dollywobbler]

I paid £150 for a GLE estate. It was crap. I'd happily spend a few hundred more on a good one! Estates are always useful so I reckon a really tidy one could command £800, though they're often seen cheaper. GLE is the 2.3 non-turbo I think?

[MrDuke]

Aye, 'tis the 2.3 n/a, with a manual box for squeezing out that extra 2 mpg In saloon flavour too, which tbh I prefer to the estate, holding awkward shape in higher regard than practicality :lol:I'm happy with the price side, anyway, although I probably would'vr paid over the odds for this one in any case.

[dollywobbler]

Amazingly, my ol' estate would crack 30mpg even with a slushbox. Saloon is obviously the autoshiter's choice and as it's less handy, they never seem to fetch much dollar.

[Richard]

It doesn't matter what you paid if you like it and it's a keeper.

[CIH]

I like the saloons. I don't really know why. I suppose a few hundred quid would be fair with T&T ?

[Dukestar25]

In the forum's esteemed opinion, just supposing there was a 740GLE up for grabs, completely mint inside and out, 101k, ex-retired couple, leather interior, chrome arch trim etc... how much would it hypothetically be worth (to someone who actually likes them?)

Not wishing to give the impression that I've actually done something silly already, of course...

If you've 'hypothetically' purchased this fine steed, will we get some piccies to drool over?

[MrDuke]

Well, it was a little over £200 so I'm smiling, and having just had final 'clearance' from the domestic manager, pics should be following tomorrow While we're on the subject, does anyone know an easy fix for the notorious headlining issue? Preferably one that doesn' t involve removing the whole lot then gassing myself with fresh adhesive...*EDIT/DISCLAIMER* - despite revealing the price, I hereby reserve the right to offer said vehicle for a grossly inflated sum at some point in the indeterminate future. Especially if they suddenly become trendy and I can get a slice of scene tax. Go Capitalism!

[Dukestar25]

Sounds like a bargain especially if it's got Tax and Test AND only 101k on the clock... jealous!!!

[dollywobbler]

Result! My Volvo disgraced itself by pouring water on my other half's head - make sure the drain holes are clean!I once had a Maestro where the roof lining was held up by drawing pins. Mind you, you had to check carefully before sitting down in case any had fallen...

[Richard]

I thought Volvos had a hard plastic headlining. Whatever mine is made of it's still up there.I know somebody who fixed his SAAB headlining with those little brass button things. I fixed mine by cutting it off.

[wuvvum]

My current 9000 is the first 9000 I've ever owned which doesn't have a sagging headlining. And I only ever had one classic 900 that didn't suffer from it (it had been redone, in a stylish grey velour moquette) and one 99 (it was a 1971 model with a vinyl headlining). By contrast, only half of the 740/940s I've owned (six in total) had headlining issuesNice purchase by the sound of it - I've never had a 2.3 NA 740 (had a 2.3 LPT 940 once which was good fun), can imagine the added grunt from the extra 330 cc should alleviate the slightly underpowered feeling you get with the 2.0 engine. Can't argue with any T&T'd motor for around the £200 mark these days either.

[STUNO]

I have absolutely NO experience of fixing Volvo headlinings, but have seen a few drooping ones. But have wondered how to fix it wihout completely re-doing the job.Would the lining be thin enough for a spray glue and a foam roller to refix it to the foam backing ? And if that works, are there any long term problems ?It seems like a solution to me, but I want to try it on someone elses car first

[Richard]

I don't think that would really work Stuno, not from what I remember on the SAAB anyway. There is a layer of foam rubber between the cloth and the headlining shell. This disintegrates and turns to dust so it's very hard to get anything to stick.

[MrDuke]

Well, having trawled the VOC forum last night, it appears that moulded plastic headlining from either late-model 700s or 900s will fit straight in - apparently the inside shape is exactly the same, even the sunroof and grab-handles line up.Now I just have to find a scrap 900...

[Richard]

It'll be a bit of an arse to liberate an entire headlining from a saloon car I'd have thought, the seats will probably have to come out- not that they're hard to remove.

[FredTransit]

Eh? Why do the sets have to come out? Are the fitted over the interior pillar trim or summat?

[Richard]

How else are you going to manoeuvre something that size, and inflexible, out of a saloon car? I'd be surprised if it could be done without removing at least one front seat, or the back window.

[retro80sboy]

saw this old beast in Asda carpark the other day in Wrexham.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26155043@N06/4061057408/

[MrDuke]

Hmm... I reckon they'd be just about flexible enough to go in through the front passenger door - taking the seat out wouldn't bother me much. And as the donor car would probably be a scrapper, I'd be even less bothered about removing it.Although on reflection, it might just be easier for me to strip off the fabric and 'foam' backing, and slap some thickish vinyl up there instead, assuming I can buy a big enough sheet of the stuff, and assuming it'll be stretchy enough to mold into the rear headroom 'recess'.In other news, daylight examination reveals bubbles on the sunroof & just above the screen, big patch of surface grot on a front door, and arch lips in need of a touch-up - other than that, minty, no dings or missing trim Future plans... err.... nothing? Apart from some stainless wheeltrims, maybe even some slightly fatter wheels. I also discovered a towbar, with twin air-pump sockets, apparently for stiffening up the rear shocks when towing. Looks like I'll be able to fulfill my life's ambition of caravanning in Dorset after all

[FredTransit]

Future plans... err.... nothing? Apart from some stainless wheeltrims, maybe even some slightly fatter wheels. I also discovered a towbar, with twin air-pump sockets, apparently for stiffening up the rear shocks when towing. Looks like I'll be able to fulfill my life's ambition of caravanning in Dorset after all

I love that. So not hitting it with the stick or matt black rattle can paint job then??

[danthecapriman]

Sounds like you got a good one at a good price there.Ive got a saloon one myself, 2.3 GLE auto, 87 on E plate, I paid £450 3 years ago for mine with tax and test. Its done 177K now.Mine has saggy headlining, temperarely held up with staples!!I need to get a later plastic one soon!The only thing ive done to mine is spray the grey plastic trims under the headlights in body colour. Makes the front end look nicer IMO.

[MrDuke]

Future plans... err.... nothing? Apart from some stainless wheeltrims, maybe even some slightly fatter wheels. I also discovered a towbar, with twin air-pump sockets, apparently for stiffening up the rear shocks when towing. Looks like I'll be able to fulfill my life's ambition of caravanning in Dorset after all

I love that. So not hitting it with the stick or matt black rattle can paint job then??

Not for a few months anyway it gets plenty of attention as it is, and after my history of spine-shaking hatchbacks, I'm deeply loving the luxo-barge experience

The only thing ive done to mine is spray the grey plastic trims under the headlights in body colour. Makes the front end look nicer IMO.

That actually occurred to me today as well - devil's in the detail as they say.

[FredTransit]

Erm,

 

 

[MrDuke]

I know, I know!! By the time I'd finished spunking over it this afternoon, it was too dark for a decent shot. Plus it needs washing. Pics will follow tomorrow, fo' sho'.

 

 

Ooo, and can anyone recommend a decentish leather restoring product? Just light scuffs really, but a fair bit of wear on the right-hand edge of the driver's seat, presumably where the geriatric previous owner had to slide his arse into it by feel, to avoid toppling over uncontrollably and bouncing into the footwell. Don't fancy black shoe polish in case it leaves any residue.

[FredTransit]

have you thought of permanent black marker pen?

[STUNO]

So the problem bit is the crap foam then I followed a Subaru Legacy today with the lining flapping in the breeze

[Rocket88]

How else are you going to manoeuvre something that size, and inflexible, out of a saloon car? I'd be surprised if it could be done without removing at least one front seat, or the back window.

Why not just recline both front seat?

[MrDuke]

It was raining, in the evening, and my hands were shaking. Meh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And for some 'Lowriderrzzz' action:

 

 

Yeeehhhhh, biatch. Rollin' deep in a campsite near you, fo' real.