The Volvo thread

[Drago]

Went out to the garage to start fitting these. Got one out and bulbed up ready, and the heat got too much so the car is currently a cyclops.

Took the opportunity to spray Buzzweld ACE up the inside of the front wing while the indicator was out.

 

[Drago]

Getting there.

 

[Jameshow]

Getting there.

View attachment 812919

Stop it you'll have me looking a C70s!

 

[Drago]

Prices hit rock bottom and are now starting to turn. Find a good one now before someone twigs only 70,000 were made and most of those have been broken for spares!

I never quite understood why they flew under the radar. After all, if TWR had designed and then co-built a fast Ford Focus they'd be changing hands for £50k by now.

 

[Gunk]

Getting there.

View attachment 812919

Does it ever go out after dark?

 

[Drago]

Er, no!

 

[Jameshow]

Prices hit rock bottom and are now starting to turn. Find a good one now before someone twigs only 70,000 were made and most of those have been broken for spares!

I never quite understood why they flew under the radar. After all, if TWR had designed and then co-built a fast Ford Focus they'd be changing hands for £50k by now.

Only one on eBay with a broken roof. I'd want a MK1 as MK2 were basically a ford focus.

 

[Drago]

Aye. Apart from the moncoque structure the mk1 was entirely hand built and hand finished.

The mk2 is heavier, less powerful, slower, less well made, uglier...its only advantage being less scuttle shake when the roof is up.

 

[Drago]

Thinking of ordering one of these...

https://www.ukpartsdirect.com/icars...8NfmKBritxiUhm2K1uRlpwwkz6ofKl8AeEjrfPMaX_MHy

I've used icarsoft gear before and been very impressed. This is ideal for me being a two Volvo household. Even better, you can download two other makes onto the unit free so I could add VW MBQ architecture and use it on the van as well.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Only one on eBay with a broken roof. I'd want a MK1 as MK2 were basically a ford focus.

Built on the same platform, but not really 'basically a Ford Focus'. Volvo did a very good job of making it their own IMHO.

I drove both variants before deciding to buy a Mk2*, and ran it for 3 years without fault - I sold it for what I paid, well into 6 figure mileage. The Mk1 is a very old car - it has lots of positives, but that former point is never far away from ones mind, particularly when as Drago indicates, the top's down and she's shimmying over the road surface. I enjoyed its ownership much more than I expected, perhaps because I had the best variant & combination (T5 auto in SE Lux trim in rather a fetching Dawn Blue) The same engine in the Mk1 is simply overwhelming for the poor old gal, IMHO!

VOC Forum's full of horror stories from those who've clearly bought badly and failed to maintain properly, but make neither of those two mistakes (not rocket science) and it's a lovely effortless cruiser that is capable of picking up its skirts if needed. Catastrophic fuel consumption, except at a steady cruise, mind.

Just a counterpoint from someone who has, as it were.

*And I really did want to buy a Mk1, trust me!

 

[Drago]

Oh aye, make no mistake - the mk1 is a complex hand built car. There are few good ones left now, and they require extreme dedication to maintenance, and a not inconsiderale bank account, to keep them sweet.

In that sense theyre enthusiasts motors that need constant fettling and cherishing - as they are they are now I wouldn't recommend one as a daily.

There are few really good ones left - I only know of one other as smart as mine, a guy in the VOC who lives not far from me as it happens - and the rest are a world of potential pain that would drain your bank account in short order while you spend months scouring the world for parts.

In terms of cost and effort its like maintaining a DB7 or similar, not for the faint hearted or those prone to cut corners with maintenance. They will bite, you will cry, but you either roll with it and pay the bills or the car will soon be on ebay as spares or repair.

Im lucky. Thanks to my Dad im a decent amateur spanner man, and being retired I have the time and spare cash to devote to it. Im double lucky as the nearest garage is only 400 metres away and the workshop supervisor is an ex Volvo master tech from the P80 era so anything I cant handle he sorts or advises upon.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

@Drago
When I was talking about the need to find a good one etc I was referencing the Mk2, but as you indicate, the same applies to yours.

 

[Jameshow]

I

Built on the same platform, but not really 'basically a Ford Focus'. Volvo did a very good job of making it their own IMHO.

I drove both variants before deciding to buy a Mk2*, and ran it for 3 years without fault - I sold it for what I paid, well into 6 figure mileage. The Mk1 is a very old car - it has lots of positives, but that former point is never far away from ones mind, particularly when as Drago indicates, the top's down and she's shimmying over the road surface. I enjoyed its ownership much more than I expected, perhaps because I had the best variant & combination (T5 auto in SE Lux trim in rather a fetching Dawn Blue) The same engine in the Mk1 is simply overwhelming for the poor old gal, IMHO!

VOC Forum's full of horror stories from those who've clearly bought badly and failed to maintain properly, but make neither of those two mistakes (not rocket science) and it's a lovely effortless cruiser that is capable of picking up its skirts if needed. Catastrophic fuel consumption, except at a steady cruise, mind.

Just a counterpoint from someone who has, as it were.

*And I really did want to buy a Mk1, trust me!

Don't think they are particularly complex compared to alot if modern cars? It was the throttle bodies that were at fault on them irrc. The suspension always suffered as it's a heavy lump the 5 pot.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I


Don't think they are particularly complex compared to alot if modern cars? It was the throttle bodies that were at fault on them irrc. The suspension always suffered as it's a heavy lump the 5 pot.

The engines aren't really the issue, they're generally bombproof, given necessary routine maintenance (as are the AW autoboxes, despite many old wives claiming the contrary) However, there are faults that get 'frequent flyer' status...

I've got a rattling roof. 'Buy this stuff and massage it into your seals like we've been saying'

I've got water in my boot/rear passenger footwell. 'When did you last check and clear your drains?' Drains?

My rear lights don't come on. 'It'll be the boot to body wiring that has fatigued and faulted, fix that'

My suspension's rattling. 'Well change the lower arms then'

It's just very repetitive

 

[Drago]

I


Don't think they are particularly complex compared to alot if modern cars? It was the throttle bodies that were at fault on them irrc. The suspension always suffered as it's a heavy lump the 5 pot.

Interesting delta link rear suspension, high performance 5 pot engines with a dizzying array of management systems over the years, all with different foibles.. Everything is 50% bigger, heavier, and done up tighter than a normal car. Special tools required for many mechanical jobs. High quality interiors make dismantling without breaking anything a nightmare, etc, yadda, etc.

A modern Kia or Ford might be more complex in design, but in execution they're probably far simpler.

And thats before one gets to the owners "insider" knowledge required to work on them. A regular garage is simply not up to the job of maintaining a P80 series Volvo - a dealer or indy specialist are essential, else a competent DIYer (like Boney or me) with the time, connections and resources to devote to running one. Fred in a Shed or Bombsite Motors down the industrial estate might be fine working on a Focus or 3 series, but can't be trusted with a P80.