240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Burdekin

I have a old air one but would like a battery one. My problem is my battery tools are the old Erbauer ones from Screwfix which are still going strong so I’d also need to buy a battery and charger. Wish all battery tools had to have the same battery connections.

Likewise - I have a pneumatic one but find I never use it. Dragging the compressor out and finding the right connections is always too much faff - whereas battery powered tools are very convenient.

I agree about the battery bit - I also have a mixed fleet. Having taken the plunge I’ll now standardise onto DwWalt as tools need replacing.

Alan

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Othen

I decided it would be just about legal to fit black and silver number plates to the RB, so I ordered a set to try:



... and at the back:



These are just held on with blutac at the moment - I wanted to see what they looked like before committing to them. My first thought is that they make the RB look a bit too old, but I'm not sure.

What do people think? Good or bad idea?

Alan

I had some nice news today, an email from Lars Gerdin at the Volvo Historical Archive in Gothenberg:



... the RB was manufactured on 27 August 1979 - so I may legitimately use the silver and black registration plates. I think I'll fit them today and see whether I like them for the rest of the winter.

Alan

[Othen]

All done. I'll keep a copy of this in the glove compartment just in case the boys in blue take an interest:



I'm not sure that all 240s, or even all 244s would look right with the silver and black registration plates, but I do believe the RB carries it off very well indeed:



... and equally well from the front:



I know very well that the RB would not have had silver and black plates fitted from new, but I don't think that matters. I think they look right on the motor car - as if it could have had them this last 41 years.

:-)

Alan

[Moomoo]

Definitely preferable, I think they look stately. Regal even.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

Definitely preferable, I think they look stately. Regal even.

What Andrew said ^^^^^

They definitely work well with the RBs colour scheme and suit it very well!

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

Definitely preferable, I think they look stately. Regal even.

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

What Andrew said ^^^^^

They definitely work well with the RBs colour scheme and suit it very well!

Thank you for that chaps. I tend to agree, the RB does look a little bit stately with the old style plates.

I think I'll be keeping the silver and black plates, so I'm quite pleased the Volvo archives has confirmed it was manufactured in '79.

Alan

PS. This document may be helpful to owners of vehicles made around 1980:

[Othen]

I noticed the RB's slightly older brother for sale, it has also had the silver and black number plates fitted (it is a 79/V), but I don't think they suit it nearly as well:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194679784...gAAOSwtadhzIHB

... perhaps because it is a DL without metallic paint, or maybe it is the colour or the wheels? I don't know, but the motor car doesn't carry it off quite so well.

I thought the seller is looking for pretty strong money for the motor car, perhaps the RB is worth a bit more than I had thought?

Alan

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by Othen

I noticed the RB's slightly older brother for sale, it has also had the silver and black number plates fitted (it is a 79/V), but I don't think they suit it nearly as well:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194679784...gAAOSwtadhzIHB

... perhaps because it is a DL without metallic paint, or maybe it is the colour or the wheels? I don't know, but the motor car doesn't carry it off quite so well.

I thought the seller is looking for pretty strong money for the motor car, perhaps the R is worth a bit more than I had thought?

Alan

Aye, it’s nice enough and I’d be happy enough with it but it’s not a car I’d search for. If that makes any sense!!!

Strong money and I think it might disappoint in the flesh!🤨

[john.wigley]

'Morning all, I would also concur that the more 'traditional' black and white plates suit the R.B. rather well, Alan.

However, it is indeed a strange world ... I mind a time when we were all frantically discarding our 'old' plates in favour of the then new reflective variety, in order to 'modernise' our vehicles and increase safety through improved visibility at night. We really have travelled full circle!

And can't it be a palaver getting new plates, requiring both personal and vehicular identification? I had my front one broken recently by a neighbour's careless reversing, and had to order it's replacement through my garage. Gone are the days when you could just pop down to your local parts store and buy 'stick-on' letters and numbers or a new plate over the counter. Progress?

Regards, John.

[360beast]

Originally Posted by Othen

I noticed the RB's slightly older brother for sale, it has also had the silver and black number plates fitted (it is a 79/V), but I don't think they suit it nearly as well:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194679784...gAAOSwtadhzIHB

... perhaps because it is a DL without metallic paint, or maybe it is the colour or the wheels? I don't know, but the motor car doesn't carry it off quite so well.

I thought the seller is looking for pretty strong money for the motor car, perhaps the RB is worth a bit more than I had thought?

Alan

At that price Alan one would expect it to have an asthmatic V8 fitted and to have been sat in a wet field up to the sills in mud for atleast 10 years! What are they trying to pull selling a solid looking car for that much.

It does look very nice, if it had round headlights that would be perfect.

The old style plates suit the RB

Are you going to the BKV next year? I belive it is in Stratford upon-Avon