Amazon: body panels and gearbox

[markpin]

Hi

I have just bought a p120 which has some holes in the N/S/F floor pan. I wondered where the best place to go for new panels was?

I think I will also need a few trim bits so was interested in finding out more about the general parts supply for these cars is?

Finally, the car is an Auto. Part of me thinks I should source a gearbox, flywheel, clutch, etc etc to convert it but then i wonder if I would be best advised to get the car solid and sorted but still an Auto as maybe its a good thing afterall.

Any ideas on these points?

[red122]

Did you buy the yellow one on ebay ? I was tempted by that .
I have lots of 2nd hand parts as spares if you need anything please try me.

[old fart]

Hi, Welcome to Volvo Land.
Brookhouse Volvo are spot on for parts, both body and mechanical.
Also Amazon Cars,who has great videos on how to do stuff, both not too far from you.
I'd get it solid before doing anything else, and you might even like the auto box.
Regards, Andy.

[Army]

My advice is to not go for mechanical changes until you have a solid structure.

Depending on your abilites and the amount of "professional" help you need you might be glad you didn't spend money on making changes to the gearbox.

Whilst I've no experience of Volvo pattern parts if they are like virtually every other vehicle on the planet - replacement parts are often a pain in the arse to get to fit nicely and look right.

Whilst somethings are "gone" I find it is nearly always best to try to repair what you have. In most cases I advocate cutting up a new panel instead of making the holes in the car bigger to fit the replacement panel...

[Burdekin]

If you get the more expensive floor pans that Brookhouse Volvo sell they are excellent. Inner rear arches, rear arches, front cowl panels and front inner wings are all really good panels and I wouldn’t bother patching those areas if they are too far gone. Wings, front panels, rear quarters, doors etc are expensive new so if on a budget chase up good used or fix those.

Amazon cars are probably more likely to also have second hand panels.

As the other folk have said get the body done first and then worry about the rest after that.

[markpin]

Yes, It was the yellow one on ebay. I've wanted one since I was young and stupid, now that I am old and stupid I have managed to get hold of one.

I have not trouble doing the jobs required on it, spent 10 years in the motor trade in the 80s specialising in volvo's before I got more sensible and started teaching instead. I even scrapped a number of 140s and 240s back then when they were worth nothing, so brainless!

I would love to have some of the parts I owned them. I had B20 engines and gearboxes and owned both a 164E and 145 for years, as well as countless other volvo's since. One of my main cars is a V70 AWD from 1998 with only just over 100,000 and few owners on it.

Back to the yellow amazon.
I agree with the suggestion of getting it good structurally and running nicely in original form before deciding about modifications. I would only modify if it was a keeper because I feel that selling originality is always easier.

Thanks for the info about panels, I will look into them further as getting good quality panels that fit is certainly a much better prospect as far as I am concerned.

Mark