240 General: What would a 240 like for Christmas?? Suggestions please

[Mike_Brace]

Originally Posted by John Tancredi

What was the waiting list like to find a compatible donor? Getting a direct replacement or upping the horses?

One phone call about a year ago provide an identical donor which gave up a door and tailgate for the cosmetic surgery. Now waiting to donate its heart.
Wouldn't mind dropping in a 16 valve but am lacking time nowadays for such projects.

Anyway anything with more poke would probably cost me a ticket or two with the way those T5s lurk about hiding on the A55!

Mike

[John Tancredi]

Originally Posted by Paul Clark

Mine wants a good service from a good specialist who will also put right all the little niggles that I'm not happy to attempt (Not that there are many). Sadly we do not seem to have such luxury as a Volvo specialist around here & I'm B******D if I'm paying for the Mainstealer BAh Humbug!

I get my local Citroen mechanic to service mine... and he's doing a not bad job. I think he finds it loads easier to work on than my DS... which I always want to talk to him about... and rarely use for fear of something going wrong which he won't want to fix (eg the clutch!)

My 240 had been laid up for quite a while before I got it and it really felt old and worn, but my Citroen guy has got it purring again. Changing the auxilliary air valve (is that the correct name for it on the CIS inj system) made a huge difference - not cheap though! There's some water getting into the spare wheel wells from a few pin prick holes which I'll get welded up properly. The gutters were also pretty rusty so I did a DIY job, cleaned them out and put some Hammerite + silicone sealant on them. The steering rack was loose so a couple of shims were removed and it's been a lot better since. Kick down switch on the auto's not working... so that needs attention... and there's a slow leak from a connection on the auto just behind the exhaust (not easy to get to)...

Next time it's in the workshop I'll also get the in-tank fuel pump/filter checked as goodness knows when that was last looked at. The wiper motor seems pretty tired (reminds me of the old Lucas ones on my Series One LR!) so I'm not sure if it'll get through next winter.

Front seats were also clapped out but found a local trimmer who fixed them up beautifully (and didn't rip me off!)...

I did all the rust checks in the sills, removing bungs, sniffing etc and it's all 100% rust free (I think). I've sprayed some marine grade fine protective oil around so that should help.

When I get a chance I'll change the weather strips (thanks Brendan for the lead!) as the doors have been suffering a bit. Also need to get a window winder sorted - grinding badly at times... not sure if it's just dirt or something out of alignment.

Lastly tail lights are looking rather faded... so I'd like to find some better ones... (without getting ripped off).

Other than that it's not bad and the kids really enjoyed going on a trip in it last w/e. Cheap on fuel as well (about 12 litres per 100...cheap by my standards, inc mountain roads!) and not using any oil.

LASTLY - anyone seen anything about the NZ 244 that did the Peking to Paris rally earlier this year... Apparently went like a train!

So, I think mine has had a few Christmas presents already... probably putting it back on the road was its best one! Cheers guys!

[JIM C]

A cosy car cover on red with white fur on the outside edges.

[kev240]

Think you better change the tablets Jim. !!!!!

[Triple-S]

Hi John

re the Peking - Paris Volvo 244 you mentioned, we always go to the two Goodwood racing circuit events each year (festival of speed and revival).

Whilst having a cuppa by our Amazon in the car park there a New Zealander came over and asked about the Volvo Owners Club, as he saw the badge on our car. Then we talked 240s as I said my day-car is one, and it turned out he was the driver of the P-P one. He said I could look it over in the next car park if I liked, then out of the blue he asked if I would like it! Not then, mind you - they had to get back to their base that night.

It got a bit muddled then, as firstly he said all NZ registered cars had to be shipped back to NZ (which he couldn't afford) or scrapped (which he was planning to do!), then he said the car will be in South wales (I believe) for a few days if I wanted to collect it!

He then had to rush in to the P-P display area inside so said for me to inspect the car and leave my phone number with his companion, and I could arrange collection if interested. I downed that cuppa like a shot and spent the next half hour patrolling all the car parks, but to no avail - I simply couldn't find it. I can only assume his friend moved it, certainly not to the P-P stand as I went back there and asked about it. Unfortunately the only representative there knew nothing about either the guy or the Volvo - he was looking after the ancient La France cars on display.

Therefore to this day I don't know what fate befell the old Volvo, so if anyone else does, please update me. It seems a shame that such a famous car was going to be scrapped just because he couldn't afford to ship it back home.

[John Tancredi]

Hi, that is an incredible story... I believe the Volvo concerned is (was!?) owned by Warren Burt who is a member of the NZ Classic Motoring Society, see www.cmsnz.org.nz There are some pics of the 244 being loaded into a container at Lyttelton Harbour (near Christchurch) bound for Peking. I've been in touch with Geoff Ridley, also from Christchurch, who did part of the P-P in a Saab. I'll send him your message and see if he can shed some light! If I hear anything I'll let you know... (but Kiwis are a funny bunch... always up to something!!!!) Kind regards, John.

[loki_the_glt]

Sweden's finest sporting saloon just got his Christmas present - a new, Volvo exhaust for the same price (almost) as those supplied by the fitters you can't get better than [no advertising here]. Which means that the Controller of Thought, Word, Deed and Finance is going to be on short commons this year. I love said individual, but Sweden's finest sporting saloon has to come first, or possibly second to the divorce papers!.

I'l treat the toy to a wash and polish, and tackle some of the niggles like the oil weep and the damaged rear seat squab.

[John Tancredi]

[QUOTE=loki_the_glt;324122] I love said individual, but Sweden's finest sporting saloon has to come first, or possibly second to the divorce papers!.
QUOTE]

I like it! Got to get one's priorities straight!