1986 740GL For Slae - Page 5

capt jack · Oct 6th, 2014, 14:33

Indeed the offer of £250 was a half serious one, but I was certain that it wouldn't be taken up! If the car was a GLE or GLT, or a 240 estate then it'd sell.

It would be great to think that a Volvologist with deep pockets is out there and ready to save what is probably a very fine car. If I am ever rich I will start my own personal Volvo museum, and happily pay over the odds for cars like this.

But until ERNIE comes up trumps..........

Cheers

Jack

GaryS40 · Oct 7th, 2014, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt jack

Indeed the offer of £250 was a half serious one, but I was certain that it wouldn't be taken up! If the car was a GLE or GLT, or a 240 estate then it'd sell.

It would be great to think that a Volvologist with deep pockets is out there and ready to save what is probably a very fine car. If I am ever rich I will start my own personal Volvo museum, and happily pay over the odds for cars like this.

But until ERNIE comes up trumps..........

Cheers

Jack

Ha ha, ERNIE. That's a blast from the past, Jack!

Both of my big Volvos were GLE's and I don't think I would buy one with a lesser spec, unless it was REALLY special (10,000 miles on the clock with full receipt folder and Volvo fully stamped service book).

Gary

Em740 · Jan 10th, 2015, 18:34

It's still for sale!
I reduced the price to £1250, is this unrealistic? or is the 740 that unpopular?

Ashc · Jan 11th, 2015, 07:00

Have you tried advertising it elsewhere? I've noticed that cars don't always sell that easily on here. I presume that most of the people on here already own 740s and 940s.

Em740 · Jan 11th, 2015, 10:36

Hi Ashc,
Thanks for your reply. No I hadn't. I thought that perhaps the best place was the owners club forum as they may know someone that was looking for one or would even like one themselves in this condition.
At this price its not far from giving it away!
It's all tucked up in my fathers garage and not in my way so hence the lack of urgency to sell.
I'll try Auto Trader or Car and Classic. Although I suspect this time of year isn't the best time to sell anyway.

C320 · Jan 11th, 2015, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Em740

Hi Ashc,
Thanks for your reply. No I hadn't. I thought that perhaps the best place was the owners club forum as they may know someone that was looking for one or would even like one themselves in this condition.
At this price its not far from giving it away!
It's all tucked up in my fathers garage and not in my way so hence the lack of urgency to sell.
I'll try Auto Trader or Car and Classic. Although I suspect this time of year isn't the best time to sell anyway.

I wouldn't bother with AutoTrader for that car. I'd try Car & Classic or an eBay classified ad with lots and lots of pictures and detailed description on provenance and history / work carried out.

If you're not in a hurry to sell sit on it and list as I've suggested above.

capt jack · Jan 11th, 2015, 14:30

A shame this hasn't sold, but frankly not really a surprise.

Think of who the potential buyers might be:

Not a typical 'classic car' fan - although it is stunning, being realistic a 30-yr-old 740 doesn't have the kerb appeal of say a Merc of the same age, and it doesn't have the wood-and-leather of older Triumphs, Rovers and so on.

Not a motorist looking for a modern family car - this old beast is big, heavy, thirsty, looks old-fashioned, doesn't have fold down rear seats, climate control, alloys, on-board computer, auto-dipping mirrors, built-in satnav, MP3 player and all the other computerographied electrickery that curse the modern chariot.

Not a dealer - he'd know only too well all of the above. And the response from the Haynes museum is a pretty stark verdict on the value of the 740 as a piece of motoring history.

It certainly appeals to me. I would love to own a 740 (my first Volvo was a 2.3 litre 740GL, in Wedgewood blue, E698 SNW). And it would spend most of it's time tucked up in a nice warm garage, to brought out only on high days and for the odd BKV. I'd spend weekends polishing it, and I'd probably be tempted to fit rear electric windows and a CD player. I doubt that it would get driven more than 2 or 3 thousand miles a year.

If the story of the 240 is anything to go by, 6 or 7 years ago cars in this sort of condition were selling for well under £1000. I know that because I looked at several before buying the 1800ES which did become my hobby car. At the time 240s were not as loved or sought-after as they are now. Will the 740 go the same way? maybe, maybe not.

Sad to say, and especially so when a car represents a family connection going back decades, but the sentimental value of anything is precisely zero on the open market.

I had a beautiful old V70, which I'd loved and cherished, sweated, toiled and cried over. It had carried me and my growing family faithfully and reliably for 250,000 miles and almost 9 years. I'd grazed my knuckles so many times in cleaning and caring for that car that I reckon if they DNA-sampled the wheel nuts and sump plug we'd have been declared blood relatives.

It still looked great, everything worked, with spotless body work and interior, but at 17 years old and 300,000 miles it sold for £625 to someone who wanted a cheap estate car that he could slap a tow-bar on to. No matter how I felt about it, an old car is worth only what a buyer will pay.

So, putting away my still-damp hankie, and as per my previous post, if it's a gentle and pampered retirement that you're wanting for your lovely old 740 then just let me know. Home would be the beautiful Vale of York, somewhere between 'Brideshead Revisited' and 'Open All Hours', with the occasional venture into 'Heartbeat' country! No motorways or multi-storey car parks, precious little in the way of speed-bumps or contra-flows.

Oh, and I would go perhaps a little bit more than my half-serious offer of last year!

Cheers

Jack

vzh7gk · Jan 11th, 2015, 17:22

That really does look very tidy.
And with manual box and velour upholstery more in my line.
Don't think you said whether it was 2.0 or 2.3? Also whether it had unleaded valves / seats?

Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to do anything about it right now. Will keep an eye on this thread though...

Em740 · Jan 11th, 2015, 21:42

Thanks for the replies.
I hear loud and clear what you all say and agree.
But hey like all things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I'm passionate about cars myself and can admire and appreciate any car that has been well cared for. It's far easier to keep a new car looking well than an old one in tip top condition.
To be honest, the most I would hope for is that it went to a enthusiast.
I spoke with a chap at the Classic Cars show last year. His car (740) was on the Owners club stand, he obtained this car a few months earlier. So there are people out there that still want these cars!
I'm open to sensible offers, but seriously for £250 i'd probably get that scrap value!

Em740 · Jan 11th, 2015, 21:43

Oh apologies, should have added it is a 2.3 and runs on unleaded fuel.

Jan 11th, 2015, 14:30	#47
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:44 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	A shame this hasn't sold, but frankly not really a surprise. Think of who the potential buyers might be: Not a typical 'classic car' fan - although it is stunning, being realistic a 30-yr-old 740 doesn't have the kerb appeal of say a Merc of the same age, and it doesn't have the wood-and-leather of older Triumphs, Rovers and so on. Not a motorist looking for a modern family car - this old beast is big, heavy, thirsty, looks old-fashioned, doesn't have fold down rear seats, climate control, alloys, on-board computer, auto-dipping mirrors, built-in satnav, MP3 player and all the other computerographied electrickery that curse the modern chariot. Not a dealer - he'd know only too well all of the above. And the response from the Haynes museum is a pretty stark verdict on the value of the 740 as a piece of motoring history. It certainly appeals to me. I would love to own a 740 (my first Volvo was a 2.3 litre 740GL, in Wedgewood blue, E698 SNW). And it would spend most of it's time tucked up in a nice warm garage, to brought out only on high days and for the odd BKV. I'd spend weekends polishing it, and I'd probably be tempted to fit rear electric windows and a CD player. I doubt that it would get driven more than 2 or 3 thousand miles a year. If the story of the 240 is anything to go by, 6 or 7 years ago cars in this sort of condition were selling for well under £1000. I know that because I looked at several before buying the 1800ES which did become my hobby car. At the time 240s were not as loved or sought-after as they are now. Will the 740 go the same way? maybe, maybe not. Sad to say, and especially so when a car represents a family connection going back decades, but the sentimental value of anything is precisely zero on the open market. I had a beautiful old V70, which I'd loved and cherished, sweated, toiled and cried over. It had carried me and my growing family faithfully and reliably for 250,000 miles and almost 9 years. I'd grazed my knuckles so many times in cleaning and caring for that car that I reckon if they DNA-sampled the wheel nuts and sump plug we'd have been declared blood relatives. It still looked great, everything worked, with spotless body work and interior, but at 17 years old and 300,000 miles it sold for £625 to someone who wanted a cheap estate car that he could slap a tow-bar on to. No matter how I felt about it, an old car is worth only what a buyer will pay. So, putting away my still-damp hankie, and as per my previous post, if it's a gentle and pampered retirement that you're wanting for your lovely old 740 then just let me know. Home would be the beautiful Vale of York, somewhere between 'Brideshead Revisited' and 'Open All Hours', with the occasional venture into 'Heartbeat' country! No motorways or multi-storey car parks, precious little in the way of speed-bumps or contra-flows. Oh, and I would go perhaps a little bit more than my half-serious offer of last year! Cheers Jack Last edited by capt jack; Jan 11th, 2015 at 14:35.

Jan 11th, 2015, 17:22	#48
vzh7gk Member Last Online: Oct 17th, 2021 12:57 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cheltenham	That really does look very tidy. And with manual box and velour upholstery more in my line. Don't think you said whether it was 2.0 or 2.3? Also whether it had unleaded valves / seats? Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to do anything about it right now. Will keep an eye on this thread though... __________________ Graham (G4FUJ) Prescott Marshal & Hill Controller '99 BMW Z3 1.9 (formerly a 1.6D SE C30) '93 Morgan 4/4 1.8 Zetec; '90 Land Rover Defender 90 SW 200Tdi

Oct 6th, 2014, 14:33	#41
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:44 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Indeed the offer of £250 was a half serious one, but I was certain that it wouldn't be taken up! If the car was a GLE or GLT, or a 240 estate then it'd sell. It would be great to think that a Volvologist with deep pockets is out there and ready to save what is probably a very fine car. If I am ever rich I will start my own personal Volvo museum, and happily pay over the odds for cars like this. But until ERNIE comes up trumps.......... Cheers Jack

Jan 10th, 2015, 18:34	#43
Em740 Junior Member Last Online: Jan 20th, 2024 17:03 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Flintshire	It's still for sale! I reduced the price to £1250, is this unrealistic? or is the 740 that unpopular?

Jan 11th, 2015, 07:00	#44
Ashc Member Last Online: Feb 15th, 2024 21:13 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Walsall	Have you tried advertising it elsewhere? I've noticed that cars don't always sell that easily on here. I presume that most of the people on here already own 740s and 940s.

Jan 11th, 2015, 10:36	#45
Em740 Junior Member Last Online: Jan 20th, 2024 17:03 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Flintshire	Hi Ashc, Thanks for your reply. No I hadn't. I thought that perhaps the best place was the owners club forum as they may know someone that was looking for one or would even like one themselves in this condition. At this price its not far from giving it away! It's all tucked up in my fathers garage and not in my way so hence the lack of urgency to sell. I'll try Auto Trader or Car and Classic. Although I suspect this time of year isn't the best time to sell anyway.

Jan 11th, 2015, 21:42	#49
Em740 Junior Member Last Online: Jan 20th, 2024 17:03 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Flintshire	Thanks for the replies. I hear loud and clear what you all say and agree. But hey like all things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm passionate about cars myself and can admire and appreciate any car that has been well cared for. It's far easier to keep a new car looking well than an old one in tip top condition. To be honest, the most I would hope for is that it went to a enthusiast. I spoke with a chap at the Classic Cars show last year. His car (740) was on the Owners club stand, he obtained this car a few months earlier. So there are people out there that still want these cars! I'm open to sensible offers, but seriously for £250 i'd probably get that scrap value!

Jan 11th, 2015, 21:43	#50
Em740 Junior Member Last Online: Jan 20th, 2024 17:03 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Flintshire	Oh apologies, should have added it is a 2.3 and runs on unleaded fuel.

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