240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Othen]

I am a Volvo owner again! My very first brand new car was a Volvo 240 estate, way back in 1985. I liked that car and drove it for several years until my job moved to Cyprus.

I've always fancied owning a similar car and today bought a 244 saloon from a chap in Brum, here is a photo:



I quite like the green colour, although I'm not sure about some of the additions, and I have a few questions that perhaps other forum members might be able to answer:

1. I'm guessing the black stripes are not original, would that be right? You may notice the chromed surround to the windscreen is not fitted, the PO has supplied it (it is on the back seat at the moment), it is in good condition, but needs some clips to re-fit it - from where might I obtain the right clips?



2. I suspect the wing mirrors are not original, would that be correct? Actually I don't mind them, and if I removed them I'd probably be left with a couple of holes on the wings, so they will probably stay:



3. I also suspect this Volvo badge on the front of the bonnet is not original?



4. The same for this spoiler on the boot:



5. ... and this one on the back of the roof:



6. I quite like the wheels, and they have been recently repainted. I have no idea whether they are the originals or not, but they look the part:



Underneath the car looks as solid as a rock - there is no sign of corrosion anywhere and the exhaust looks quite new. The brakes have been replaced all round (pads and discs), and the PO tells me he has changed the springs and dampers (to adjustable Koni ones) all round - I'll jack it up and have a look tomorrow.

The car runs pretty well, it cruised the 65 miles back from Brum at good motorway speeds, steers and handles well and brakes in a straight like. The auto gearbox seems fine (as fine as a 3 speeder can be).

Most things seem to work apart from:

1. The rev counter.

2. There is an annoying rattle from somewhere below the instruments at low speeds - I'm thinking this may not be unconnected with the rev counter not working.

3. The fuel gauge seems a bit inaccurate - it was still reading a quarter full when I ran out of gas 2 miles from my home (fortunately a passing police speed camera van operator stopped to give me a hand). It may be the float was just stuck because the car had been off the road for a while - it registers okay now I've filled up).

4. I have a question about the heater fan - should it work without the ignition being switched on (it does)? I suspect it should not, and someone may have wired it to a permanent live feed - the same seems to be the case for the Sony radio - so these two issues may not be unconnected.

I'll probably find lots of other things that need sorting when I have a chance to look over the car, but that is all for now.

I think this will be just the right car for me: a strong runner with a MoT and no rot whatsoever. It will be 40 years old in a few months, and so may be registered as an historic vehicle in April 2021 (no more road tax!), which is a bonus.

If anyone has a moment to comment on my questions I'd appreciate that very much.

Alan