260 General: 265 GLE - Proud new owner

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Seb Spiers

I'm loving the Virgos!
How much should a set of these set me back?

Cheers pal!

Likely you'll get a set for £150 or a bit less.
Keep your eyes peeled on these forums as they do come up every now and then...
Ian sold a set recently, bit more than the above price if I remember.
Also keep eyes on ebay.
Check Salvo and Braydons as well.

Welcome, BTW, to the forums. Enjoy your new Volvo and your time here..

Des. . .

[brens-s80]

hi seb,

looks like a real beauty you've got there and fair do's to your granddad for keeping it so well. Virgo's would set this off nicely. Get yourself a Haynes Manual ( green version ) as it contains lots of useful info and not forgetting this forum as the help you will get here will make you want to keep it running and running.

best of luck

brendan

[Audrey Old]

Hi Seb and welcome to the forums

Lovely-looking car and the same age as my gold one, but you have the rare manual-gearbox one - lucky you. I used my first one (also metallic blue) as a tow-car, and it was brilliant, if a little thirsty. However, the rust got a serious hold so it went to be a source of spares for a 262.

My 50k mile gold one also has a small place needing a repair just behind a rear mudflap - you can see daylight through a bit of the spare wheel-well! Apart from that, almost mint and drives like a train. Otherwise its stock, the way it will be kept.

According to the DVLA freedom-of-information channels I researched last year (via these Forums) there are only a few 260/264/265 left - differing models have survival numbers varying from just three cars to about 30. Yours being manual, it might be the former category, so look after it !

Don't listen to people running it down - I had a stupid ignorant tart stop and criticize me when I was putting new rear shocks on my show-164, but such simpletons don't realise most of the energy a car consumes from birth to death comes from the manufacturing and scrapping process itself. By keeping the old cars going we are helping keep the planet from becoming a totally throw-away society AND keeping all the spares suppliers in business.

Paul

[John Tancredi]

Originally Posted by Seb Spiers

So I guess what I'm looking for here is some advice on the wheels, and any other advice or ideas on the car in general.
Thanks

Hi Seb, try to keep it as original as possible... In the end originality always pays! If you do change anything, try to hang on to the original parts so you (or a future owner) can return it to factory spec.

Also, make sure you enjoy the car... "They don't make them like they used to."

All the best, John.

[JIM C]

I would agree I would try and keep it original/standard but I think adding GLT alloys would not detract from it and also the original wheels can be put back on. My personal view is that by adding the alloys will enhance the appearance of the car.
Best of luck and enjoy your 265.

[Matthews 855 T5]

I like it, my first Volvo was a 1982 265 GLE. It was silver and had the sunburst alloys. I was 20 years old and the insurance was 300pounds a year fully comp, not bad in 1991.

Yours is very rare as it is fitted with the manual/overdrive transmission, most were automatic. It should get around 27mpg on a run.

Period accessories are hard to find (like uprated Volvo cassette player - alloys etc) so I would enjoy it as it is and keep resolving the rust bubbles and oil changes.

Personally I like the patina of the leather but I would get a set of floor trays/mats to save the carpet. Does the small square steering wheel inset say 'VOLVO or Volvo GLE'? the latter is correct but its trivial.
Matt

[PTJS]

Originally Posted by Seb Spiers

Hi There,

I've just taken ownership of a 1980 265 2.7 GLE (pictures attached).

It's only done 71k and its older than I am! It was my granddads car from new and it cost me nothing. I don't really want to sell it as it has sentimental value, I'm making a little project of maintaining it and adding a few bits and pieces. Nothing ridiculous but maybe a Garrett turbo and some nitrous (joking).

I've already replaced the flat battery with one from the local scrapyard for £15 (KwikFit wanted £100!!!) so now it starts without a jump. Its taxed and tested until May next year at which point ill have to decide if its worth spending £235 on another years tax and MOT. Its 100% mechanically sound from what I can tell and drives fine.

I'm going to fix the 3 small rust patches it has, one behind each of the rear mud flaps, and one on the boot lid.

I might shell out a small amount on some alloy wheels and new tires, but I've not got the foggiest what would fit on the car without any hassle.

So I guess what I'm looking for here is some advice on the wheels, and any other advice or ideas on the car in general.

Thanks

Hi Seb

If you've not already done so I would get all the carpets up, the boot liners out, expose the front door pillars by lifting the internal trim and check you don't have any serious rust issues. The sill bungs can be lifted out while you have the carpets up. While at this stage give all these areas a generous blast of waxoyl. With regards to the engine bay I would just buy a couple of cans of WD40 and spray it everywhere, including the inner wings etc, this will transform it for a few quid. When you wipe it off the engine bay will be nice and clean and the corners where you can't wipe it off will be where the rust is so it will soak in and be a short term rust preventative. I do my 240 and XJ6 engine bays every three or four months and its well worth it.

If the body is sound you can always bolt on new mechanicals as and when needed. If the motor is a good runner then knowledgeable routine servicing is the key. As its low mileage for its year you should have years of service and enjoyment ahead of you. Good luck!

Phil

[Steve and his 244]

Originally Posted by PTJS

Hi Seb

If you've not already done so I would get all the carpets up, the boot liners out, expose the front door pillars by lifting the internal trim and check you don't have any serious rust issues. The sill bungs can be lifted out while you have the carpets up. While at this stage give all these areas a generous blast of waxoyl.

Phil

I might just do this with mine...

[Velorum]

Originally Posted by 16yr old with a 1980 244

I might just do this with mine...

When I checked the inside of the sills on my GL I was shocked to see how much general rubbish was in there. I suspect that the car had been parked under trees a lot - it really is worth getting inside there and checking! There were a load of dry leaves in the vent piping etc - took me ages to get rid of it all. The air intake grill just in front of the windscreen is a silly design - it allows all manner of rubbish in that will eventually find its way to the sills via the drain pipes. My 760 had a fine mesh fitted inside the intake and my 340 has a plastic mesh fitted - both work really well. You used to be able to get a cover (called a snow cap I think) that would fit over the 240 intake but they are hard to get a hold of now. Ive seen them on ebay on occasion and I believe that there are some USA manufactures ones - but its pretty difficult to get a hold of them. Their not a 100% solution though as Ive heard that they are prone to blowing off at high speed.....................

My GLT sills were completely clear of any rubbish with a nice thick coat pf waxoil - one of the benefits of buying from an obsessional owner!

[Steve and his 244]

Ian, with regards to the "snow cap", guess what i bought earlier (i.e. before you posted that!)

will give more details in my project thread later