A 240 fan from Madrid

[Classico]

Dear Volvers, i'm from Madrid, Spain and been into classic cars for the last 30 years.
It all started with a TR6 while living in the UK and the "thing" about classic cars have been in my blood ever since. I've had also a couple of Porsches, some Mercedes extending from a Pagoda to a w123, MGB, a superbeetle which i still keep. But never had a Volvo even though I really like the Amazon and the P1800.

For more parcatical and economical reasons I'm looking now for a 240, possibly a 1981 GL D6 diesel which I shall be seeing shortly.
The car has around 170,000 miles, looks greta in pics and has been fastidiously maintained by its only keeper.

Could you give me your ideas about this particular model and your opinion about the mileage and things that could go wrong?

Thanks for your help

[Classico]

i'll try to post some pics of the carimage.jpeg

[DW42]

Looks good from the photo. There aren't many diesels left -- they didn't sell in large numbers in the UK, US or Australia. It's a VW D24 engine. They are capable of very high mileages, and parts should be available. In my opinion the best 240 models as a practical classic are the last ones made -- with Bosch LH2.4 fuel injection, and preferably a B230 engine. I've had various old Volvos, and I adored my single carb 144 for its sheer simplicity, but for daily driving the '89-'93 models can keep up, are reliable if maintained properly, and refined enough for people used to more modern cars.

[eternal optimist]

I don't think the 240 was ever sold as a diesel in the UK.

[heckflosse]

Probably just as well..

[Classico]

Oh, then I guess there is not much info about diesels round here.

Ideally I'd like a late 240 GLE manual 5 gears with the 230E engine but there aren't many Volvos of that era available in Spain.
Anyway I'll be looking up the diesel and if it's as described I might get on with it.

Is there a big difference, other than engines, between a 1980 model and a late one? What those will be?

[Stephen Edwin]

I don't know when the change was but later models had better anti rust treatment. I hope that helps.

[Classico]

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

I don't know when the change was but later models had better anti rust treatment. I hope that helps.

Thanks Srtephen, So i've been told.
I'm going to see the car this coming tuesday, i'll be looking carefully for rust!
Are there other key areas to look for?

[DW42]

Rust is often in the spare wheel wells and rear wheel arches, the sills, and just under the windscreen.

[Classico]

Saw the car yesterday!
Looks pretty good inside out but looking closely there are tiny traces of rust round the front and back glass and some more under the sills.
The engine is loud (diesel) and hasn´t got much power going up. clutch is on its last legs and front supension is clocking.

I´m passing on this one.

Going to check tomorrow a 1987 GL with the B230FD engine which have just appeared close to my place