Looking at a 144 to buy

[SalvadorP]

I'm a 940 guy, but I've been looking to buy another car, preferably older. A decent 144 just popped up on the local market, but I don't know the first thing about these cars. It's supposedly a 1.8S, from 1967.

What are the major downfalls of this model?
What are the strenghts?

What should I read to give me a basic notion of of this model?

Thanks,
Salvador

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by SalvadorP

I'm a 940 guy, but I've been looking to buy another car, preferably older. A decent 144 just popped up on the local market, but I don't know the first thing about these cars. It's supposedly a 1.8S, from 1967.

What are the major downfalls of this model?
What are the strenghts?

What should I read to give me a basic notion of of this model?

Thanks,
Salvador

The newest 1 series car will now be 49 years old, Salvador, plenty of time for it to rust. Later cars, 2s, 7s and 9s are all better protected - the later, the better, generally speaking. There are exceptions, some early 2 series cars seemed particularly susceptible in my experience.

The steering is, unlike later cars, not rack and pinion. It is naturally on the heavy side. None of ours had PS - not sure if it was available on the 4 pots. I think some cars have been retrofitted with a PS system from a 164, or you might consider an electric PS conversion (£££).

Timing is by gears, not chain or belt. It is a steel hub with a fibre outer which deteriorates and can separate with age. All steel replacements used to be available, but, while more reliable, they were noisier in use. I don't know if they are still available, but I'm sure someone will.

They are more spartan than modern cars - static seat belts (front only), keep-fit windows, that sort of thing. They were also much easier to break into; the opening quarter-lights (the catches often fell off) were a particular weak point.

I sold my last 144 in 1995 and it was an old car then. It was the 2.0 single carb 4-speeder. It was noisy at motorway speeds. My 145 had O/D and was much better in that respect. If you have a choice, definitely get one with O/D.

On the plus side - oodles of charm and the immense satisfaction of keeping an old bus going. Simple mechanics. No computers in sight; the only thing you will need to reset if you disconnect the battery is the clock!

If you have the time, knowledge, facilities, expertise and enthusiasm, one could make a great hobby car. Although certainly possible, I'm not sure it would make such a good 'daily' today, especially if you are doing big mileages.

Regards, John,

[SalvadorP]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

The newest 1 series car will now be 49 years old, Salvador, plenty of time for it to rust. Later cars, 2s, 7s and 9s are all better protected - the later, the better, generally speaking. There are exceptions, some early 2 series cars seemed particularly susceptible in my experience.

The steering is, unlike later cars, not rack and pinion. It is naturally on the heavy side. None of ours had PS - not sure if it was available on the 4 pots. I think some cars have been retrofitted with a PS system from a 164, or you might consider an electric PS conversion (£££).

Timing is by gears, not chain or belt. It is a steel hub with a fibre outer which deteriorates and can separate with age. All steel replacements used to be available, but, while more reliable, they were noisier in use. I don't know if they are still available, but I'm sure someone will.

They are more spartan than modern cars - static seat belts (front only), keep-fit windows, that sort of thing. They were also much easier to break into; the opening quarter-lights (the catches often fell off) were a particular weak point.

I sold my last 144 in 1995 and it was an old car then. It was the 2.0 single carb 4-speeder. It was noisy at motorway speeds. My 145 had O/D and was much better in that respect. If you have a choice, definitely get one with O/D.

On the plus side - oodles of charm and the immense satisfaction of keeping an old bus going. Simple mechanics. No computers in sight; the only thing you will need to reset if you disconnect the battery is the clock!

If you have the time, knowledge, facilities, expertise and enthusiasm, one could make a great hobby car. Although certainly possible, I'm not sure it would make such a good 'daily' today, especially if you are doing big mileages.

Regards, John,

Hello John, thx for taking the time to share the knowledge. The car seems to be rust free. It's clearly a garage car, and also I'm in Portugal so, no slat on the roads or rain 24/7. There are lots of rusty car, but not as much as in the UK or other places.
Paint also looks original. The car looks to be quite original. Don't know the mileage. But they are asking only 1100€. If it was near I would go see it, but it's a bit far, so it warrants more consideration.

I wouldn't daily it, but I also don't put much mileage on my daily 940 either. I think I would be ok with the lack of modern features.
I grew up inside a red Mini Morris, my father had 2. He sold the last one (against my wishes) before I got my license and then the prices went bonkers. I wanted to buy one 18 years ago, when it wasn't yet too late, for my first car, but was advised against and it's one of my biggest regrets carwise. I know I would still drive it if I had bought it, an hugly brown Mini 1000 for 1k €.

[Moomoo]

Mini nostalgia for me , disappeared after driving one for the first time in years.

I remember a former girlfriend holding her copious busom as I threw my lowered Cooper through the Derbyshire lanes.

Ah! The nostalgia is back!😍 Great cars!🥳

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

Mini nostalgia for me , disappeared after driving one for the first time in years.

I remember a former girlfriend holding her copious busom as I threw my lowered Cooper through the Derbyshire lanes.

Ah! The nostalgia is back!😍 Great cars!🥳

Dead man walking

[SalvadorP]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

Mini nostalgia for me , disappeared after driving one for the first time in years.

I remember a former girlfriend holding her copious busom as I threw my lowered Cooper through the Derbyshire lanes.

Ah! The nostalgia is back!😍 Great cars!🥳

The memory of my father's second Mini is forever seared in my mind. I was about 7 or so, heard an unfamilar but persistent "Beeeeep Beeeeep". When I finally went to peek outside of the 2ond floor window of my Grandmas' house to see what was going on, there it was, my father and my mother, both 150cm high, peeking up at me, from inside that small red car. It felt like the car was made for their size, and mine. For me, it was like an oversized toy. I love that thing. Then again, I never, never drove one myself. I often think if I ever drive one, the nostalgia will probably die.

[Steve 940]

Hi SalvadorP

I'm also a 940 owner for the last couple of years, and I must admit I've been rather taken by the quirks of running an 'old' 940 as my daily.

So much so, that I've been on the hunt for a 145 for almost a year or so, unfortunately here in the UK they seem not to crop up for sale very often, and when they do the prices are fairly high.

I think John's outline of pros & cons seem to cover most things, and is from past experience.

Just last week I went 250 miles to look at a supposed good sound 145, but it was full of rust and the owner wanted £4k minimum..... If you can get a sound 144 for EUR 1.1k then its probably worth a look.

Obviously depends on what you are looking for, and the local market in Spain.

Best of luck, Cheers,
Steve

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Hi SalvadorP

I'm also a 940 owner for the last couple of years, and I must admit I've been rather taken by the quirks of running an 'old' 940 as my daily.

So much so, that I've been on the hunt for a 145 for almost a year or so, unfortunately here in the UK they seem not to crop up for sale very often, and when they do the prices are fairly high.

I think John's outline of pros & cons seem to cover most things, and is from past experience.

Just last week I went 250 miles to look at a supposed good sound 145, but it was full of rust and the owner wanted £4k minimum..... If you can get a sound 144 for EUR 1.1k then its probably worth a look.

Obviously depends on what you are looking for, and the local market in Spain.

Best of luck, Cheers,
Steve

I think it was Portugal, Steve, but that occurred to me as well! I wonder what the cost and administration involved in importing one to the UK would be ...

Salvador mentioned that the one in which he is interested is a 1.8 (B18). I don't think that was exported to the UK. Certainly all of ours (and we had several) were B20s. Our first ever Volvo was a 145E (Injection - rare in a 1972 car) and that was a real flier. I think that you / he might find the 1.8 a little under-powered by today's standards.

Regards, John.

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

I think it was Portugal, Steve, but that occurred to me as well! I wonder what the cost and administration involved in importing one to the UK would be ...

Salvador mentioned that the one in which he is interested is a 1.8 (B18). I don't think that was exported to the UK. Certainly all of ours (and we had several) were B20s. Our first ever Volvo was a 145E (Injection - rare in a 1972 car) and that was a real flier. I think that you / he might find the 1.8 a little under-powered by today's standards.

Regards, John.

Ah my apologies regarding location, but yes, the thought of a LHD had occurred to me, but just from initial looking online it would appear most of the mainland European markets seem to have slightly higher values

https://www.theparking-cars.co.uk/us...volvo-145.html

Yes I think a 2.0 would definitely be preferred.

Cheers
Steve

[SalvadorP]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Ah my apologies regarding location, but yes, the thought of a LHD had occurred to me, but just from initial looking online it would appear most of the mainland European markets seem to have slightly higher values

https://www.theparking-cars.co.uk/us...volvo-145.html

Yes I think a 2.0 would definitely be preferred.

Cheers
Steve

Sorry Steve I somehow missed your reply. Yes, this is Portugal I'm talking about. I moved back from Barcelona to my hometown.

I can take a look at the local market both in spain and Portugal if you want and teel you if I find something you might be interested. I can even help you facilitate the deal by talking to the seller or checking out the car for you if it's anywhere near me. No issues.

If you want let me know which specs you are looking for and what value and I'll look around.

In Portugal at least, consulting the tax brackets I can see the exact value I would have to pay to import a certain car. It's like a simulator that you import the characteristics and it shows you the value. I'm sure the UK must have something similar.