1988 Volvo 740GL
Discussion
Car buying is a strange business, isn't it. Sometimes the oddest of vehicles will call out to you across a forecourt, wedges of cash will change hands in a smoke filled, wood panelled caravan (such is the office of the class of trader I frequent) and you leave, non-plussed in a new set of wheels with a teaspoon of petrol in the tank.
Anyway my old Mondeo was a massive disappointment and far too new, so I bought this baby. She has had a new timing belt, fitted by me, and a fuel pump, installed by a professional. Stunning build quality, modern cars feel pathetic by comparison. The doors and bootlid make a lovely clunk when closed and the bonnet counterbalances. Everything feels expensive, as if it was made to last rather thank to look flashy. Equipment is fairly basic for what was in its day a prestiege car.
Driving it is an odd experience. The engine generates massive torque for its size and spec (2.0 litre 8 valve non-turbo) but revs slowly. Acceleration is reasonable and it is the best motorway cruiser I've ever driven. Totally different to a manic, modern 16 valve lump. The non-catted exhaust is offensively loud (factory standard too) and the viscodrive fan sounds like a MiG taking off. The gearchange is ponderous, but has a nice mechanical feel to it, I've never selected the wrong ratio by accident. The hydrauilc clutch is perhaps over damped but allows silky smooth engagement with practice. In fact I reckon I could out "smooth" an automatic driving the Volvo slowly and rev-matching.
The chassis, and much of the equipment, was antique when this car was being built. The 740 is made using 1950s technology, even down to constant dribble mechanical injection (the exhaust fumes smell wonderful because of this). Live axle RWD was totally outdated at the time and nowadays is considered beneath contempt, but it works. The handling is barge-like but nowhere near as bad as detractors make out. It is possible to drive these things quickly, but it's not what they were designed for.
Home maintenance is a dream. No special tools are required for even complex jobs, such as renewing the cambelt, and everything is designed to come apart with the minimum of fuss. It all goes back together without breaking too, unlike certain French cars I've owned.
It is an idiosynchratic car, but I'd have a hard time finding another daily drive I like so much. Nothing else is quite as imposing, the pre-facelift brutal front end helps with that. Young children all seem to be fascinated by it too, I suppose in a world of obese jellymould cars that are "friendly" this squared off beast represents a different age; one they never saw.
Anyway here are lots of pictures
RWD GR8 4 DRIFTIN!!!!!!1!!111!! NOT AE86 NOT SOOPRA NOT HACHI ROKU ETC!!!!!
Anyway my old Mondeo was a massive disappointment and far too new, so I bought this baby. She has had a new timing belt, fitted by me, and a fuel pump, installed by a professional. Stunning build quality, modern cars feel pathetic by comparison. The doors and bootlid make a lovely clunk when closed and the bonnet counterbalances. Everything feels expensive, as if it was made to last rather thank to look flashy. Equipment is fairly basic for what was in its day a prestiege car.
Driving it is an odd experience. The engine generates massive torque for its size and spec (2.0 litre 8 valve non-turbo) but revs slowly. Acceleration is reasonable and it is the best motorway cruiser I've ever driven. Totally different to a manic, modern 16 valve lump. The non-catted exhaust is offensively loud (factory standard too) and the viscodrive fan sounds like a MiG taking off. The gearchange is ponderous, but has a nice mechanical feel to it, I've never selected the wrong ratio by accident. The hydrauilc clutch is perhaps over damped but allows silky smooth engagement with practice. In fact I reckon I could out "smooth" an automatic driving the Volvo slowly and rev-matching.
The chassis, and much of the equipment, was antique when this car was being built. The 740 is made using 1950s technology, even down to constant dribble mechanical injection (the exhaust fumes smell wonderful because of this). Live axle RWD was totally outdated at the time and nowadays is considered beneath contempt, but it works. The handling is barge-like but nowhere near as bad as detractors make out. It is possible to drive these things quickly, but it's not what they were designed for.
Home maintenance is a dream. No special tools are required for even complex jobs, such as renewing the cambelt, and everything is designed to come apart with the minimum of fuss. It all goes back together without breaking too, unlike certain French cars I've owned.
It is an idiosynchratic car, but I'd have a hard time finding another daily drive I like so much. Nothing else is quite as imposing, the pre-facelift brutal front end helps with that. Young children all seem to be fascinated by it too, I suppose in a world of obese jellymould cars that are "friendly" this squared off beast represents a different age; one they never saw.
Anyway here are lots of pictures
RWD GR8 4 DRIFTIN!!!!!!1!!111!! NOT AE86 NOT SOOPRA NOT HACHI ROKU ETC!!!!!
That is Gorgeous. We used to have one - an '87 'E' plate 2.3 GLE (rear electric windows, sunroof, velour seats etc). Absolutely loved it as a child. Sadly Dad had to sell it in '94 to buy a Van. Only ever went wrong once - but it was nothing bad. It had done about 100,000 when Dad got it (I think it was 4 years old when Dad got it).
I adore the American influenced exterior styling (the almost vertical rear window) blended in with traditional Volvo virtues.
From what Dad told me, the only downsides were very heavy fuel consumption, rubbish levels of grip and suprisingly very poor headlights.
I'm tempted to get one myself!
I adore the American influenced exterior styling (the almost vertical rear window) blended in with traditional Volvo virtues.
From what Dad told me, the only downsides were very heavy fuel consumption, rubbish levels of grip and suprisingly very poor headlights.
I'm tempted to get one myself!
Edited by red_rover on Monday 2nd March 21:42
Old Volvo's are unusually odd cars. For some reason, late 80's/early 90's cars are looking good to me at the moment, probably because the current metal on offer is lumpy in comparison. First car I remember was a Citroen BX 1.4 (IIRC) premier in red with the chevron interior.
The best thing about your Volvo has to be that stereo though. Everything looks original which for a car of that era is pretty good. Engine bay looks like it could swallow a pretty sizable lump too.
The best thing about your Volvo has to be that stereo though. Everything looks original which for a car of that era is pretty good. Engine bay looks like it could swallow a pretty sizable lump too.
red_rover said:
That is Gorgeous.
I agree with all the above comments about the lovely conditional and how it is a nice barge and all that (and no offence to the OP) but come on....gorgeousAre you being serious? I like it for what it is i.e a big old lump of a car that probably feels like it is hewn from granite! But I don't think gorgeous is a word I would use to describe it...
bales said:
I agree with all the above comments about the lovely conditional and how it is a nice barge and all that (and no offence to the OP) but come on....gorgeous
Are you being serious? I like it for what it is i.e a big old lump of a car that probably feels like it is hewn from granite! But I don't think gorgeous is a word I would use to describe it...
Are you being serious? I like it for what it is i.e a big old lump of a car that probably feels like it is hewn from granite! But I don't think gorgeous is a word I would use to describe it...
Burn the Heretic!
T'is a thing of beauty. If i found one in that condition I'd buy it myself. I like the 740/760's, equally the other recent post of the 240, but this 740 does it for me.
I'd love to have something like this as my daily driver but I can never find anything like it in anything remotely like good condition.
Edited by Chuffer on Saturday 14th March 15:54
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