240 crash, write off? Help!

[volvo_240]

I have a blue estate here useful as a spare parts car

[mad matt]

hi i would be happy to help with the rebuild of your car i also have 2 cars i am breaking that parts can be cut out of to help with the repair of your car

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

I feel your pain, I couldn't imagine having to face this with my 740, it's not only a loyal friend but a member of the family now!

And it actually done most of the towing work last year when I moved house with a tow-a-van

[66Lover]

Thank you for all the kind words all. It means a lot.

And yes, its odd but although I've only had the car a year it does become a member of the family. The fiancee love it and its taken us all over the country in the last year in a fun, dependable, safe and practical way.

Love this 240 to bits.

Engineer has just left. He seemed understanding. Told him all I could and have now emailed him my document of evidence and pictures as to its previous condition.

Lets see what happens..

[Jungle_Jim]

66Lover

Really sorry to see your 240 in this state. Absolutely gutting. I haven't got advice, but just hope that the right thing happens and you get enough money to do whatever you want to do.

I'm hoping that you can get that offside rail on a jig, bolt replacement panels on, and this car will live again. I think the inner wing will unbuckle ok.

I think that 240s are scarce enough now that one in as good condition as this should be repaired.

All the best,
John

[T5Sweep]

That sucks, looks a lovely car too.

What did you hit? Bet that was a mess!

[S40T3]

It looks from the picture as though the chassis leg is buckled ahead of the crossmember mounting bolts. Straightening it, or welding in a new section should not, therefore, compromise or weaken structural stuff. *IF* that is, the rest is straight which would need careful checking on a jig. 240s are soft at the front - for a reason.

[Stephen Edwin]

If one straightens or welds a piece in to a crumple zone or similar, will it function correctly to save lives on a future impact? I'm ignorant on the point so I'd prefer to be in a car with a body as designed.

[S40T3]

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

If one straightens or welds a piece in to a crumple zone or similar, will it function correctly to save lives on a future impact? I'm ignorant on the point so I'd prefer to be in a car with a body as designed.

For that you would need expert advice and I'm not qualified to give it. Your car was, however, in exceptional condition and it would be a shame to write it off if it could be repaired. I would expect that straightening the chassis member would leave it weaker than before, but that a coded welder could fit a new section from a scrap car without compromising the crumple zone. Again, that should be for an expert to advise.

Accident safety is relative; good though the 240s are,they are ~30 year-old cars. Modern cars, although not my ideal, are now much more protective of the occupants. My brother was hit head-on by a lorry which failed to make a bend and his S40 (a much smaller car) protected him. He emerged with sprains and a face full of airbag: There was not much of the S40 left forward of the windscreen. We all take a chance driving older cars - I have a 1928 Fiat, no airbags, no seatbelts and definitely no crumple zone :-) I won't let that stop me enjoying it though.

[Stephen Edwin]

Not my car. My sympathies and respect to 66Lover for your loss.

S40T3. Points taken. There remains the comparision between a car with crumple zone or similar repaired relative to one with a body as originally designed.

But I don't know, I was just wondering. I think it's only something to discuss further if 66Lover wants to discuss the point. I do not want to divert your very important thread 66Lover. Good luck, live well and prosper to you.