1979 245DL,... in brown!
 

Morning all,

following on from a number of questions, I'm pleased to present my new project:

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...psb14ac50d.jpg

While researching I stumbled on this thread, which was the previous sale:
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=153538
I could be annoyed the guy has made £500 on it, but instead I prefer to think I have done fairly well for 800.

The seller runs a scrap yard and it was parked since the sale until October when he realised it was deteriorating, so patched it up and MOTed it. It's not as minty as the old ad makes out, it's been patched in a lot of places and badly colour matched. Some more pics:

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps5e085f01.jpg

The tailgate is BAD:

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...psb7924b84.jpg

This is coming through on the inside, and will need a fair amount of new metal, or most likely replacing.

Rear arches look ok

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps158fda70.jpg

this is the worst section, OSR arch

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...psd41fcc5f.jpg

Sills have been repaired very roughly, this will need redoing :(

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...pse77faccf.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...psefeb171e.jpg

The spare wheel well and opposite side have had the same treatment, one badly patched from the inside, the other from the outside!

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps3f1ae84b.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps288214d6.jpg

And then there's the screen surround...

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps4172d513.jpg

this is a hole (about 1/3 in from the right)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...psd0121567.jpg

All in all though, it's reasonably smart.

Other problems:

there is a wheel imbalance issue, 30-40mph is uncomfortable but I'm collecting some temporary wheels this evening. The old tyres are pretty much shot anyway.

The brakes pull to the left on initial bite

The fuel consumption is AWFUL, 20mpg on the return journey, 60-70mph in 4th, possibly a brake binding?

The driver's seat has collapsed, the back doesn't adjust and it's filthy!! Still comfy though??

So, the to-do list is as follows:

Sort out wheel wobble
Thorough service, including brakes
Screen rust repair
Tailgate replacement
Interior work
Sill and wheel well repair
Paint
Gearbox conversion

Paint wise, I'm thinking of using the graffiti paint as used by a few people on retro rides (I know a few of you are members there too) This will give a matt finish which is very durable, it covers very well and sticks well too. I just need to decide what colour. I can't justify the cost of a 'proper' respray and I don't think my meagre skills will come close to matching the original paint, plus there's a fair bit that needs doing

Hoping to get stuck in this weekend!

This is my fabourite angle :)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps675f7f8a.jpg

I recall seeing this one before. Looks like you have your work cut out, but it should bring a lovely classic 'back on form':thumbs_up:.

Looking forward to your updates:thumbs_up:

I was very tempted by this on ebay but kind of glad I did not bid on it as I don't need another project.

The rust is in all the normal areas that you expect on a 240 from that era. The tailgate looks like it should repair up ok.

Keep us updated as you progress with the work.

Great pictures. The first Volvo my family had was almost identical to this, except in beige. If it makes you feel any better ours was in a similar condition when we let it go around 1997, so this one hasn't done that badly. My favourite parts of the older model are the side lights on the rear, the massive bumpers and the warning buzzer when you have left the headlights on. Ours used to make a dreadful wavering buzzing that we referrred to as 'the dying bee'. Hopefully you have somewhere to keep it safe and have seen the warning about thefts in South London

From what i recall the Ebay pics made it out to be a lot cleaner than it actually is, but that said it still looks perfectly useable as a rolling resto.

Also best colour EVER!

Looks like it could be great ride once finished, good on you for taking it on. I'd stick with the brown paint it suits the old 200s, I'm not a fan of the old square headlights though, the round ones look way better.

thanks chaps,

yes, it is rougher than the pics made it look, but I suspected as much when my requests for "more pics of the rust" went ignored. However, it's quite localised and not too far gone, the underside is remarkably solid.

I'm not going for a mint restoration, it's beyond my talent and budget, rather a solid, useable classic.

I much prefer the earlier models visually, (in fact I really wanted a 145 but no way I could stretch that far) and converting a new one to an old one is also beyond my skillset/patience/budget.

Colour wise, I might deviate slightly (my wife refers to it as "the turd") towards a dark red, but haven't decided yet...

Going to collect my temp rolling stock now :)

Mine had rust in all those areas.
Still needs work round front screen but luckily is water tight.
I agree it looked tidy on listing.
My mates dad made repair sections for mine.
I've done similar on a TR7 convertible.
They were made of rust.
I think it was a bit ott on price now I've seen your pics.
But its more desirable to me as an early car.
Never been a fan of Brown but it suits a 245.
Hope you get it done its got potential!

Unidentified driving object
 

Slightly off-topic, but what is the raspberry-coloured Left-hooker beside the estate? It looks vaguely East European but that's just a guess and it's intriguing me.

My guess is a Triumph 2000 or 2500 from the shape?
What's the prize? Lol