1979 244dl

[Antz]

The time has come to sell my 1979 Volvo 244DL as I am trying to save up some money to build a new engine for my 240GLT.

So it’s a 1979 Volvo 244DL in Swedish Racing Beige. Comes with 12 months MOT (to January 2017), currently on SORN and V5 in my name.

Only 5 previous owners before me.

Exterior:
The exterior overall is amazing for its age in period Volvo beige. Obviously the car is 36 years old so it’s not like a new car. It has the odd rust bleb and stone chip but nothing that raises a worried eyebrow. The flat front bonnet is rust free, the sills are solid and the rear arches are also good. All chromework on the car is bright but the glass on the passenger mirror has deteriorated. A pair of brand new MOT compliant pressed steel numberplates completes the period look. There is a factory fitted sunroof which is incredibly rare on a DL spec car.

Wheels & Tyres:
The wheels are the original steel wheels which include a full set of original hubcaps imported from California USA. All tyres have plenty of tread on them. A 5th spare steel wheel is present in the boot.
WHEELS WILL BE PAINTED SILVER AND HUBCAPS FITTED THIS WEEKEND

Engine & Transmission:
The car is powered by the original B21A carburettor engine and 4 speed manual gearbox. Having covered 142,000 miles it runs like a dream and ticks over like a well-oiled sewing machine. Always starts first turn of the key and has just had a full major service including oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs, ignition leads, rotor arm, distributor cap, thermostat, coolant flush, cambelt, tensioner, cam cover gasket, engine mounts and a brand new battery to ensure its at its best. Being a Volvo redblock, it'll last forever.

Interior:
Very 70’s, very brown. All original and everything works as it should with no broken or missing trim bits. There is an original Volvo LW/MW Volvo radio included with the sale but not fitted and there is an original Volvo aerial fitted. The only negative points to note are a cigarette burn and general wear to the driver’s seat plus aftermarket speakers fitted in the front doorcards and on the rear parcel shelf. These aren’t to my personal taste which is why I'm classing them as a negative point.

Suspension & Brakes:
Completely stock but in good working condition with no rattles or bangs. Brakes are all stock and in good condition, recently benefitting from a brand new master cylinder, flexi hoses, front brake caliper and new hard line brake pipes where needed.

History:
The previous owner of the 244 bought it in 2010 bur unfortunately due to a small bump the car was written off as a Category C by his insurers in 2014 (Category C: the vehicle is repairable and can be returned to a roadworthy condition but the repair costs exceed the vehicle’s value.) due to a damaged rear quarter panel, bent rear bumper and smashed tail light because the insurance company always quotes on brand new genuine parts which are obviously unobtainable from Volvo now. Unfortunately some ape at the insurance company decided to use a large hammer to knock the damage out which made it look a whole lot worse than it actually was. So the previous owner took the insurance pay out and handed the car to the insurance company for salvage. I bought the car in February 2015 from Hill Motor Salvage who auction damaged vehicles on behalf of insurance companies. I originally intended to use the car for spares (I wanted the flat front bonnet for my 240 GLT) but it was in such good condition I couldn’t bear to do it.

Since buying the car I have spent a fortune on returning it to the road and improving it as much as I can. No expense has been spared on any part with most items coming direct from Volvo, quality OEM spec replacements or using the best second hand items available with some exterior chrome parts being imported from California USA where chromework doesn’t go pitted. Through my contacts in the Volvo Owners Club I sourced a replacement rear bumper, drivers rear light and brand new spare wheel well panels. The car was then repaired by J.M Watsons bodyshop in Malton, North Yorkshire who are a top quality specialist in classic car bodywork restoration. They made an amazing job of repairing the car with meticulous detail right down to saving the original rear quarter panel without the need to fabricate in a replacement that would deter from the cars originality. A new right hand side “butt cheek” panel was fitted at the same time.

After the bodywork was repaired, it was taken to Heritage Car Company in Malton, North Yorkshire (A classic Jaguar specialist) who carried out the remaining servicing and recommissioning work. Then it was MOT’d in line with DVSA regulations for returning a category write off vehicle to the road and passed without a single advisory! Now it’s sporting a brand new MOT, the car is all ready to hit the open road (just add car tax!)

It has clearly been enthusiast owned for a number of years which is reflected by its general condition and MOT history as it has flown through all the previous years I could see online. Sadly I have no paperwork or history from before I bought the car in February 2015 but I have documented everything I have spent on it in an effort to rejuvenate the missing history and have downloaded a copy of the MOT history back to 2006.

Parts fitted during my ownership:
Brand new Drivers side spare wheel well panels
Replacement commando rear bumper
Replacement five panel drivers rear light
Pair of chrome wing mirrors
Set of original hubcaps & clips
Spare 5th steel wheel & tyre
Pair of original horns
Brand new Genuine Volvo sunvisor clips
Original Volvo LW/MW radio
Full major service including: Plugs, leads, rotor arm, dizzy cap, thermostat, coolant flush, Valvoline oil, oil filter, air filter, cam cover gasket & cambelt with tensioner.
Drivers front brake caliper
4x front flexi to caliper hard line brake pipes
4x front flexi brake pipes
2x Exhaust mounting rubbers
2x Track rod ends
2x Engine mount rubbers
Brand new Battery
Brake master cylinder
1x brand new upper rear spring retaining cup
2x New pressed numberplates

I highly recommend viewing as it really is a sweet thing and needs to be seen to be appreciated.

£2600 - located near Filey, North Yorkshire.

All work carried out has been documented in a project thread here: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=223758

Please see this link for more photos of the car: http://s81.photobucket.com/user/letp...?sort=3&page=1

Video of cold start here: https://youtu.be/0-4J5KY2Ii4

Warm running here: https://youtu.be/wY3WDIyzB-Y

[Stephen Edwin]

Good luck and success to you with your sale Antz. That seems to be a seriously good example guvnor sir.

[mylittletony]

Looks super clean and you've done a cracking job getting it up to scratch.

Still not sold on the body colour bumpers, look a bit modern for my tastes!

[geoffo]

...especially at that bargain price

[Antz]

UPDATE:

Sprayed two wheels black and have fitted the hubcaps.

The car is sat on two early wheels and two late wheels. The other two early wheels are in the boot because the tyres need replacing.

As the car sits its ready to go with a full MOT, 4 road legal tyres and the other two wheels in the boot ready for the tyres to be swapped over or new tyres fitted etc.

[Antz]

Now for sale on Car and Classic

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C704652

[Antz]

And on ebay now....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/231835612576?

[Antz]

Now with new photos on ebay

[Antz]

Bump. Still here. Someone must want a lovely original slice of 70s beige.

[Antz]

Bumping.....The price is ONO so people know.