Virgos on a non-ABS 744 (Bendix calipers)?

[AllHailKingVolvo]

Hi all,
I’m on the hunt for some alloys for my 744. I LOVE the look of Virgos on a 740 but have read that they are somewhat limited in terms of which 740s can take them without fouling against the front calipers.

I have a B200 engined 744 GL from 1990, with the Bendix front calipers. Can anyone advise me on whether Virgos will fit my car? It has the smaller front discs and is a non-ABS example.

I don’t want to get into faffing about grinding bits off calipers and butchering anything! If the Virgos won’t fit I’ll bin the idea and maybe seek out some 740 Turbo rims.

[Laird Scooby]

I'm fairly sure the Virgo wheel was used on the 740GLT as standard Phil so wouldn't think there would be any problems.

However, have a look at Pg21 of this pdf at the Draco wheels - very similar but no notes about any special fitting requirements, covers the 740 from 85-92 :

https://accessories.volvocars.com/Le...R_GB_NL_DE.pdf

A good substitute i would think?

The ultimate test is if you can borrow a Virgo wheel and try putting it on, if it goes on without any problem, job's a good'un!

[AllHailKingVolvo]

The Dracos are beautiful wheels! I’ve been on the hunt online and the Dracos seem to be available in greater quantity but are also more expensive than the Virgos...I’m in no tearing hurry as I quite like the look of the steel wheels with the period correct wheeltrims, but I’ve found the clips on the trims are quite brittle, I’ve lost a couple and have had to resort to the ‘bay for replacements, so i think alloys are the way to go in the long term.

[baggy798]

Yes, they fit non-ABS cars with 260mm discs. It's only cars with ABS that need spacers or grinding the calipers.

[AllHailKingVolvo]

Thanks all!

I managed to bag a lovely set of Dracos for £150 in the end...collecting next week. They’ll finish the car really nicely!

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by AllHailKingVolvo

Thanks all!

I managed to bag a lovely set of Dracos for £150 in the end...collecting next week. They’ll finish the car really nicely!

Photos Phil - we want photos please!

Before and after the fitting or during the refurb if you're going to refurb them!

[AllHailKingVolvo]

I’ll definitely document the process and post pics!

I’ve yet to see them in the flesh but they look in good shape. I’ll give them a good clean and see where I am with them, I’m not averse to refurbing them myself, I’d imagine at 30 odd years old they’d benefit from a rubdown and a fresh coat of paint and lacquer, but if they’re in good shape I may just run them as they are for now.

My steels have four good and relatively fresh Hankooks (about 3000 miles old and look like new) so I’ll probably enquire with my local fitters as to whether they’d swap them onto the Dracos for me. I’m reluctant to drop another £300 on a decent set of new rubber just yet!

[Laird Scooby]

A rub-down with a detail/mouse sander, prime, paint and lacquer would be the cheapest method of refurb. Did similar with a set of S/V40 Craters for my Rover 827 Coupé :







Don't forget the inside of the rim as that's where the tyre seals on the bead, makes an amazing difference! Also, a little tip i've learned recently, spray the back of the wheel with either matt black or gunmetal grey or similar to reduce the obvious black marks from brake dust. Make sure all the dust from rubbing down has well and truly settled (and preferably vacuumed away) before spraying as it can ruin the finish! No prizes for guessing how i know this!

Alternatively, that link i posted in your trim polishing thread might be useful - powder coated maybe?

[AllHailKingVolvo]

Wow, that’s an amazing finish! I was quoted £360 to refurb the Dracos by Wheelbright in Yeovil, which would push the overall spend on the wheels up to £510, a little steeper than I’d hoped! I think I’ll take the home refurb approach as you did, Dave. I’ve got a mouse sander so it’s just a case of buying the paint and consumables.

It’ll be nice to look at the car and know the wheels weren’t farmed out...a minor thing I know, but as I’ve done the rest of the work on the invisible-to-the-onlooker bits of the car, it would be a shame to leave the wheel work to someone else!

[Laird Scooby]

Thanks Phil! Was even better after i lacquered it!

Believe it or not, that was silver glitter paint on them as well!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plasti-kote...r+gliter+paint

I don't know what colour your car is, but on the spokes on Dracos you have an inset groove - i'd be tempted to do that body colour then mask it off while spraying the rest until lacquer time. WOuld have to be the right body colour to do that though!