Imported a 780 Coupe

[Prufrock]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Shame but at least they gave us the 450SLC!

As you know Dave Mercedes are my automotive passion, but sadly down to one now. Few know this, the SLC was rallied by Mercedes BiTD.

And there was a 500SLC.

J.

[Laird Scooby]

I've heard of the 280, 350, 400, 450 and the 500 SLC models Jon, i also seem to recall a 380SLC and if memory serves correctly, all except the 280 were V8s with a straight 6 being used for the 280 version - Nissan/Datsun used a very similar design in their "L" series engines, some say it was heavily based on the Mercedes design.

I did in fact get to drive a nice white 450SLC back in the 90s, i'd done some work on it and had the back seat (such as it is!) out so persuaded my boss i really needed to road-test it to make sure there were no undue rattles or squeaks from the trim after refitting it all!

[Prufrock]

SLCs were in the doldrums for years Dave, so there are quite a few in a poor state, but really good ones are commanding very strong money now.

I prefer them over the SL.

Jon.

N.B yes, the only six was the 280.

[zmsk10]

Originally Posted by 726PAV

Hi

Thank you for your replies - Really appreciated.


Cheers!

Hi I got your message and tried to respond, but due to not having 30 posts or something I was unable to reply back!!??

If you PM me your email address I will contact you.

(Administrators, I should not have to do this!)

[726PAV]

Yesterdays minor electrical and bodywork jobs;

Proper clean and clay-bar - I anticipate I'll want to have bonnet and boot painted.(sorry, hood and trunk, its a US spec car.... )

Removed the Volvo badges on the wings - they are where the rest of the world had indicator repeaters and thats what I will install.
Removing the backing (with floss) was simple enough, along with the sticky residue (WD40), the holes in the wings are there for the repeaters.

Can anyone advise where the wing repeaters should be connected to? I don't have a 780 wiring diagram...

The front corner lighting units are US Orange running lights and indicators ("Turn signals"!).
I'm pretty sure orange running lights are an MOT failure (?) and I don't want them anyway.
Solution was simply to put insulating tape over one of the two connections at the bottom of the bulb (the bulbs are dual filament orange, where one is the side light, the other the indicator, so the side light connection is now removed) and now "Side lights" are purely white light from headlights, nil from the corner units, and the indicators work normally.

The CR814 was working poorly, so I pulled it out and found the connection at the rear was poor. Tightened and re-installed, it is impressive (for a 28yr old Alpine unit!).
Only issue with the CR814 is that the LED display screen is intermittent - there is another poor connection somewhere, I can't work out where.

I'll do a thread some time detailing the costs and experience of importing a car form the US - The firm I used, Kingstown Shipping, have been very good, but I've learnt a lot along the way and I'm happy to share what it has cost me.

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by 726PAV

Yesterdays minor electrical and bodywork jobs;

Proper clean and clay-bar - I anticipate I'll want to have bonnet and boot painted.(sorry, hood and trunk, its a US spec car.... )

Removed the Volvo badges on the wings - they are where the rest of the world had indicator repeaters and thats what I will install.
Removing the backing (with floss) was simple enough, along with the sticky residue (WD40), the holes in the wings are there for the repeaters.

Can anyone advise where the wing repeaters should be connected to? I don't have a 780 wiring diagram...

The front corner lighting units are US Orange running lights and indicators ("Turn signals"!).
I'm pretty sure orange running lights are an MOT failure (?) and I don't want them anyway.
Solution was simply to put insulating tape over one of the two connections at the bottom of the bulb (the bulbs are dual filament orange, where one is the side light, the other the indicator, so the side light connection is now removed) and now "Side lights" are purely white light from headlights, nil from the corner units, and the indicators work normally.

The CR814 was working poorly, so I pulled it out and found the connection at the rear was poor. Tightened and re-installed, it is impressive (for a 28yr old Alpine unit!).
Only issue with the CR814 is that the LED display screen is intermittent - there is another poor connection somewhere, I can't work out where.

I'll do a thread some time detailing the costs and experience of importing a car form the US - The firm I used, Kingstown Shipping, have been very good, but I've learnt a lot along the way and I'm happy to share what it has cost me.

Wiring diagrams here:
https://www.volvobertone.com/pagemn78088e.html

Cheers

[726PAV]

Originally Posted by jonnyf90

Wiring diagrams here:
https://www.volvobertone.com/pagemn78088e.html

Cheers

Thank you - Really appreciated

[726PAV]

Heh heh

Looking for some 780 information, found an article on my own car...

https://bringatrailer.com/2016/12/12...bertone-coupe/

[Laird Scooby]

I'd screen-shot that page in case the link ever breaks!

Seeing it in those pics reminds me of the Maserati Biturbo :





Very similar styling!

[volvo always]

Looks great then, hope it's as good now.

What luck finding your own car! Look forwards to current pictures.

James