The £75 Volvo 740 Estate
Discussion
To help recuperation with my illness, I fancied a project to try and keep my fingers moving and try and have something to keep my mind busy.
I been looking to get a 740 for a while, and went to look at a few over the last month or so.
Then I spotted this one on a Volvo Forum, needs a good tidy and a few bits for MOT (Which ran out end of Feb).
After getting hold of the owner, turned out he had the parts needed to get the MOT done, and a load of other bits, and was happy to part with it for £75.
Its only the 2 litre, manual. But its going to be good for me to tinker with and get upto standard (Sadly not Derin standard, but at least useable.)
Link to Pics
https://goo.gl/photos/wH3NoGb2g2BiaAjk8
Pick it up this afternoon.
Text below from Forum Ad.
740. 2.0ltr Petrol B200F spares or project. Manchester Area
After 10.5 years together, the 'stop gap' 740 I bought to replace a stolen one has finally been nailed by the MOT. Flexible brake hoses being a main culprit - perished and refusing to budge of the main brake line coupling after 25+ years of road grime, rock salt and weathering. Rear shocks both gone completely. Excessive play in lower front suspension ball joint ( n/s). Other than that it is tatty and tired with plenty of dings dents scrapes, usual lower o/s wing corrosion at the bottom and the headlining is begining to sag, trim cracks and dispalement on the tailgate plastic. Electric sunroof still works fine though, but drivers heated seat gave up about 12 months ago - burnt through the much worn seat upholstery and shorted. Instruments have a life of thier own, choosing to work as and when they like and jumping around a lot, though fuel guage is fine. True mileage is nearer 250K as these is second set of clocks installed from a 745 just after I aquired the car in 2005. I average 24.5 mpg for most journeys - which is the only thing I will not miss - sticking £40 a week in it just to get to work and do a few site visits.
On the plus side? Hmm.. New recon steering rack and recon steering pump only last year. new Alternator last year too, new tailgate struts, new exhaust system fitted from just behind the cat to the tailpipe at the start of this year, and new plugs fitted and injectors cleaned out in January.
Engine runs fine, has had head skimmed and re fitted about 7 years agon due to broken cambelt, is very oil tight - with just a dribble from the filler cap seal catching the water pump - so two new 'top hat' seals in the last 7 years too. Facelift model, comes with a spare o/s headlight and trim ( hard to source) and the aforementioned new flexi brake hoses - for those who like a challenge. Too good to break? maybe - I was hoping someone - perhaps a younger member might want a project? Taxed until 1st March, if no takers then it's the breakers. How about £100.
Should keep me busy for a while, I also got a Saab 93 convertible that Blew up its engine while being delivered and a beautiful 1997 Jag x300 3.2 in Jan which I will create posts for.
|http://thumbsnap.com/PwwoaqYB[/url]
The original plan was for a Astra Automatic for about a grand, ended up with 3 sheds :-)
Anyone local to Orsmkirk who knows their Volvos, Jags or Dead Saabs give me a shout, be nice to get to know some locals.
Cheers
Andy
I been looking to get a 740 for a while, and went to look at a few over the last month or so.
Then I spotted this one on a Volvo Forum, needs a good tidy and a few bits for MOT (Which ran out end of Feb).
After getting hold of the owner, turned out he had the parts needed to get the MOT done, and a load of other bits, and was happy to part with it for £75.
Its only the 2 litre, manual. But its going to be good for me to tinker with and get upto standard (Sadly not Derin standard, but at least useable.)
Link to Pics
https://goo.gl/photos/wH3NoGb2g2BiaAjk8
- does anyone know how to post pics from Google Photos, as I cant find a .jpg link anywhere to use with the /img tags.*
Pick it up this afternoon.
Text below from Forum Ad.
740. 2.0ltr Petrol B200F spares or project. Manchester Area
After 10.5 years together, the 'stop gap' 740 I bought to replace a stolen one has finally been nailed by the MOT. Flexible brake hoses being a main culprit - perished and refusing to budge of the main brake line coupling after 25+ years of road grime, rock salt and weathering. Rear shocks both gone completely. Excessive play in lower front suspension ball joint ( n/s). Other than that it is tatty and tired with plenty of dings dents scrapes, usual lower o/s wing corrosion at the bottom and the headlining is begining to sag, trim cracks and dispalement on the tailgate plastic. Electric sunroof still works fine though, but drivers heated seat gave up about 12 months ago - burnt through the much worn seat upholstery and shorted. Instruments have a life of thier own, choosing to work as and when they like and jumping around a lot, though fuel guage is fine. True mileage is nearer 250K as these is second set of clocks installed from a 745 just after I aquired the car in 2005. I average 24.5 mpg for most journeys - which is the only thing I will not miss - sticking £40 a week in it just to get to work and do a few site visits.
On the plus side? Hmm.. New recon steering rack and recon steering pump only last year. new Alternator last year too, new tailgate struts, new exhaust system fitted from just behind the cat to the tailpipe at the start of this year, and new plugs fitted and injectors cleaned out in January.
Engine runs fine, has had head skimmed and re fitted about 7 years agon due to broken cambelt, is very oil tight - with just a dribble from the filler cap seal catching the water pump - so two new 'top hat' seals in the last 7 years too. Facelift model, comes with a spare o/s headlight and trim ( hard to source) and the aforementioned new flexi brake hoses - for those who like a challenge. Too good to break? maybe - I was hoping someone - perhaps a younger member might want a project? Taxed until 1st March, if no takers then it's the breakers. How about £100.
Should keep me busy for a while, I also got a Saab 93 convertible that Blew up its engine while being delivered and a beautiful 1997 Jag x300 3.2 in Jan which I will create posts for.
|http://thumbsnap.com/PwwoaqYB[/url]The original plan was for a Astra Automatic for about a grand, ended up with 3 sheds :-)
Anyone local to Orsmkirk who knows their Volvos, Jags or Dead Saabs give me a shout, be nice to get to know some locals.
Cheers
Andy
Edited by TooManySheds on Friday 4th March 09:23
Thanks Bomma.
Yep I plan to do a thread for the Saab and the Jag, also in the wings is another Volvo and a Merc W124 Coupe if I can get the price low enough.
Mind you the Saab is just a piece of art on the drive at the moment, it had the dreaded oil starvation problem so needs a new engine, which is going to cost much more than the car is worth. Now looking at scruffy Saabs with good engines and see how cheaply they can be swapped over.
Yep I plan to do a thread for the Saab and the Jag, also in the wings is another Volvo and a Merc W124 Coupe if I can get the price low enough.
Mind you the Saab is just a piece of art on the drive at the moment, it had the dreaded oil starvation problem so needs a new engine, which is going to cost much more than the car is worth. Now looking at scruffy Saabs with good engines and see how cheaply they can be swapped over.
Shame the Saab went 'pop', I'm running a 9-5 Aero so I know of the oil problems. Have you tried places like Breaker Yard for a new lump? Couple of links here I've found very useful in the past: 
http://www.breakeryard.com/car-parts-uk
http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/
Compare the Meerkat for your Shed!
http://www.breakeryard.com/car-parts-uk
http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/
Compare the Meerkat for your Shed!
Well I have just picked it up.
The Seller is a total gentleman. Invited me straight in for a hot cup of tea after a long snowy drive.
Car in much better condition than expected.
He even threw in loads of spares and relays etc and even the 7 Seater seats for in the boot. Even has nearly half a tank of petrol !! Pretty amazing for £75.
Now waiting on the poor Shiply driver who is stuck on the Snowy chaos of the M60.
Am away all weekend so will do a proper update on Monday.
The Seller is a total gentleman. Invited me straight in for a hot cup of tea after a long snowy drive.
Car in much better condition than expected.
He even threw in loads of spares and relays etc and even the 7 Seater seats for in the boot. Even has nearly half a tank of petrol !! Pretty amazing for £75.
Now waiting on the poor Shiply driver who is stuck on the Snowy chaos of the M60.
Am away all weekend so will do a proper update on Monday.
kiethton said:
Dammit!
I'm starting a house renovation in the next few weeks and am on the look-out for a cheap 740/940...
That would have been ideal!
Sorry Keighton I wont be selling this for years .I'm starting a house renovation in the next few weeks and am on the look-out for a cheap 740/940...
That would have been ideal!
And just to rub salt in the wounds.Cost to add it to my multicar classic policy with Footman James was £4.75 with a 2,000 mileage limit.
Am a happy chap tonight :-)
Got the Car back ok on Friday night, despite the snow causing mayhem on the M60 and M62.
The poor delivery guys got stuck and we didnt make it back to mine till gone 9pm. (If you need any cars moving in the Northwest let me know, it was a father and son team who were not only keen on price, but very flexible and really went the extra mile to make sure I got home ok.)
Not had much of a chance to look at it over the weekend, and today I am ill in bed. But hope to get onto it soon.
I managed to have a look through the car and find all the bits the previous owner had included.
So for £75 I have
The car
Just under half a tank of Fuel.
Brand New Flexi Fuel Pipes needed to pass the MOT (it failed end of Feb).
Spare Headlamp and surround
Spare Gasket Set still in the plastic bag.
Spare Wiper Arms
The Seats and all the bolts for the 7 seat conversion (and the seat belts)
The proper molded tough floor mats
Modern (well compaired to 1990) JVC headunit that works :-)
All Electrics work, Heater Works, all the seats move and adjust as they should.
Elec windows in the back are a bit slow.
Central locking works.
In the Boot when checking the Spare (Great Condition) I found
Spare Seat Belts
Spare Leads
More Relays
1 LitreCastrol GTX
Spare Bits of Trim
Some more print out of How To's on fixing / servicing things.
Having looked at the tyres, the fronts are nearly new, and the rears are 2/3rds worn Goodyears.
The whole car is very grubby (Previous Owner worked in Landscaping), but the body work is really pretty good.
It has some rust on lower drivers wing, and a dent on the rear drivers side door.
Interior is generally good but need a few bits of trim, the only thing that really needs doing is a new driver seat. (or new cushions and then re upholstering).
For the MOT, it needs the brake pipes fitting, and 2 rear shock absorbers, which are around £40 from Euro Car Parts (unless you know somewhere better).
I struck lucky again at the weekend, while looking for a door and a wing, I found a 940 that has great body work and interior but needs headgasket. One bid of £99 and ending Sunday night. Spoke to the seller and it seems very straight and well looked after. Stuck a cheeky bid of £120 thinking I could grab the door, wing, spare set of wheels, decent seats and bit of trim. In the end no one else bid I have won it for £102 !!!
Once I have got the bits I want off it, plan to flog the other bits so should easily recoup my £102.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-940-estate-/111916...
Pic of the Donor Car.
Hopefully get that this week depending on my health and then can make a start.
Will use this Topic as my build diary, so apologies if its too boring.
Anyone with good hints or tips on the 740 do give me a shout.
The first job will be to have a go at the Shock Absorbers, something I not done for at least 30 years.
But its going to be fun tinkering with cars again, and if I can keep to the very low budget I have, I should have a good reliable car to use by the end of the year :-)
Thanks for reading
Andy :-)
The poor delivery guys got stuck and we didnt make it back to mine till gone 9pm. (If you need any cars moving in the Northwest let me know, it was a father and son team who were not only keen on price, but very flexible and really went the extra mile to make sure I got home ok.)
Not had much of a chance to look at it over the weekend, and today I am ill in bed. But hope to get onto it soon.
I managed to have a look through the car and find all the bits the previous owner had included.
So for £75 I have
The car
Just under half a tank of Fuel.
Brand New Flexi Fuel Pipes needed to pass the MOT (it failed end of Feb).
Spare Headlamp and surround
Spare Gasket Set still in the plastic bag.
Spare Wiper Arms
The Seats and all the bolts for the 7 seat conversion (and the seat belts)
The proper molded tough floor mats
Modern (well compaired to 1990) JVC headunit that works :-)
All Electrics work, Heater Works, all the seats move and adjust as they should.
Elec windows in the back are a bit slow.
Central locking works.
In the Boot when checking the Spare (Great Condition) I found
Spare Seat Belts
Spare Leads
More Relays
1 LitreCastrol GTX
Spare Bits of Trim
Some more print out of How To's on fixing / servicing things.
Having looked at the tyres, the fronts are nearly new, and the rears are 2/3rds worn Goodyears.
The whole car is very grubby (Previous Owner worked in Landscaping), but the body work is really pretty good.
It has some rust on lower drivers wing, and a dent on the rear drivers side door.
Interior is generally good but need a few bits of trim, the only thing that really needs doing is a new driver seat. (or new cushions and then re upholstering).
For the MOT, it needs the brake pipes fitting, and 2 rear shock absorbers, which are around £40 from Euro Car Parts (unless you know somewhere better).
I struck lucky again at the weekend, while looking for a door and a wing, I found a 940 that has great body work and interior but needs headgasket. One bid of £99 and ending Sunday night. Spoke to the seller and it seems very straight and well looked after. Stuck a cheeky bid of £120 thinking I could grab the door, wing, spare set of wheels, decent seats and bit of trim. In the end no one else bid I have won it for £102 !!!
Once I have got the bits I want off it, plan to flog the other bits so should easily recoup my £102.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-940-estate-/111916...
Pic of the Donor Car.
Hopefully get that this week depending on my health and then can make a start.
Will use this Topic as my build diary, so apologies if its too boring.
Anyone with good hints or tips on the 740 do give me a shout.
The first job will be to have a go at the Shock Absorbers, something I not done for at least 30 years.
But its going to be fun tinkering with cars again, and if I can keep to the very low budget I have, I should have a good reliable car to use by the end of the year :-)
Thanks for reading
Andy :-)
Edited by TooManySheds on Monday 7th March 11:52
Edited by TooManySheds on Monday 7th March 11:53
Cheers Nige, I spent years reading Readers Cars and being amazed at the bargains other people get. So have surprised myself with this one. (Mind you this is just Karma paying me back some goodness after I suffered for 18 months with a (then) new P38 Range Rover in the late 90s !!
So are you a bit of a Saab nut ? I really dont know what to do with my 9-3 ? seems such a shame to scrap it, but it seems the oil starvation is well known and any 2nd hand engine I get from ebay could also just go at any time. I do love the shape of the 900/9-3 and it would be great to have a convertable but dont want to just throw bad money after good !!
By the way, the reason for the choice of Jag, Volvo and Saab is all about trying to find the most comfy ride and also trying to find a small fleet of cars that meet any mobility requirements I might have on any day.
So the Jag is Automatic, like driving a comfy bed !! and great visibility (once you remember how long the bonnet and boot are).
The Volvo is the load lugger, days out with my daughter etc etc. Really want a very comfy place that I can sit in for hours waiting with good heater and comfy cabin.
The Saab is just because its sometimes easier to get in and out of a Cab, plus its an excuse to try the famous Saab Seats !!
So for much less than a crappy auto Astra I got a mini fleet that should keep me mobile for a good few years, and also allow me to tinker and mess with, without too many computers and sensors getting involved.
:-)
So are you a bit of a Saab nut ? I really dont know what to do with my 9-3 ? seems such a shame to scrap it, but it seems the oil starvation is well known and any 2nd hand engine I get from ebay could also just go at any time. I do love the shape of the 900/9-3 and it would be great to have a convertable but dont want to just throw bad money after good !!
By the way, the reason for the choice of Jag, Volvo and Saab is all about trying to find the most comfy ride and also trying to find a small fleet of cars that meet any mobility requirements I might have on any day.
So the Jag is Automatic, like driving a comfy bed !! and great visibility (once you remember how long the bonnet and boot are).
The Volvo is the load lugger, days out with my daughter etc etc. Really want a very comfy place that I can sit in for hours waiting with good heater and comfy cabin.
The Saab is just because its sometimes easier to get in and out of a Cab, plus its an excuse to try the famous Saab Seats !!
So for much less than a crappy auto Astra I got a mini fleet that should keep me mobile for a good few years, and also allow me to tinker and mess with, without too many computers and sensors getting involved.
:-)
Andy, re the Saab mate - the issue is that originally the engines were fitted with a crappy breather system. This caused sludge build-up in the sump which eventually would block the pick-up pipe & .... bang. I would have no problem with buying a secondhand engine provided it runs ok. It's then a matter of ensuring it has the upgraded breather kit fitted (really quite cheap to buy now), taking the sump off for a good clean out, fresh filters & good synthetic oil - you're good to go with no real worries! I reckon you could fix yours up reasonably cheaply, shame to bin what's becoming a bit of a rarity now...
I do admire your logic re the choice of sheds, I don't think I could come up with any better options!
Let the tinkering begin... (soon, hopefully!)
Cheers, Nige.
I do admire your logic re the choice of sheds, I don't think I could come up with any better options!
Let the tinkering begin... (soon, hopefully!)
Cheers, Nige.
Deebo007 said:
Would it not be easier to swap the engine from the 740 into the 940? The 940 looks like a nice solid car.
Thats a very good point, very well made Deebo, but that would be so much less fun !! I still not seen the 940 yet, I bid blind on Sunday night, hopefully being delivered this week.
Knowing the way I am, I will like the 940 and decide to get a 3rd Volvo to supply an Engine for the 940 and the door, wings, trim for the 740.
Still ill at the moment, so not had a chance to even empty the boot of the 740 and have a proper look through it. Am hoping to be on my feet for the weekend so I can find out exactly what state each car is in.
Small update.
Sorry not much to report, as I am still pretty bed bound.
But I managed to get the Donor car sorted.
It arrived as all my sheds do on the back of my favourite transporter :-)
Its in amazing condition, its one owner from new, with father passing it to son a couple of years ago. However the son not really into cars, and had not used it much, or looked after it and had blown the headgasket.
I won the Ebay auction for £102 ;-).
Then on pickup the Dad asked if I wanted any spares. I said I needed a few bits of trim, he took me to his garage, and starts pulling out boxes and boxes of stuff. He is an ex Mechanic and had been collecting stuff for years.
We agreed on £100, as it had lots of hard to find parts, he then says, if I am not in a hurry, I should wait (and play ball with his amazing German Shepherd) while he nips down the road to his "Big Garage" !!! 20 mins later he is back with a full set of spare door glass, front headlamps and surrounds, window motors, full exterior plastic trims !!, and three full dashboard clock sets (the odomoters often break a spindle/cog, so he had 3 full sets of spare !! )
Then out comes full set of rears lights, then another set of rear lights, various components from the fuel and brake system.
Oh, and nearly forgot, half an Exhaust !!!
So when I eventually get started I should have everything to have the dark grey £75 up all fixed up and enough spares to last me a lifetime.
To give you an idea of how much spares, it filled the interior of the volvo, the boot of the volvo used for glass and headlights, the exhaust and other heavy bits in the boot of the Sharan, then boxes and bags full of the rest of it filled the boot of the Jag :-)
Also this week, I had a message from a friend who has heard about a Volvo thats going cheap, shame its lived the last 5 years in a hedge !!! Might be a bit too late to save, but it is a Turbo :-), could be the moldiest Track Car in the World :-)
Sorry not much to report, as I am still pretty bed bound.
But I managed to get the Donor car sorted.
It arrived as all my sheds do on the back of my favourite transporter :-)
Its in amazing condition, its one owner from new, with father passing it to son a couple of years ago. However the son not really into cars, and had not used it much, or looked after it and had blown the headgasket.
I won the Ebay auction for £102 ;-).
Then on pickup the Dad asked if I wanted any spares. I said I needed a few bits of trim, he took me to his garage, and starts pulling out boxes and boxes of stuff. He is an ex Mechanic and had been collecting stuff for years.
We agreed on £100, as it had lots of hard to find parts, he then says, if I am not in a hurry, I should wait (and play ball with his amazing German Shepherd) while he nips down the road to his "Big Garage" !!! 20 mins later he is back with a full set of spare door glass, front headlamps and surrounds, window motors, full exterior plastic trims !!, and three full dashboard clock sets (the odomoters often break a spindle/cog, so he had 3 full sets of spare !! )
Then out comes full set of rears lights, then another set of rear lights, various components from the fuel and brake system.
Oh, and nearly forgot, half an Exhaust !!!
So when I eventually get started I should have everything to have the dark grey £75 up all fixed up and enough spares to last me a lifetime.
To give you an idea of how much spares, it filled the interior of the volvo, the boot of the volvo used for glass and headlights, the exhaust and other heavy bits in the boot of the Sharan, then boxes and bags full of the rest of it filled the boot of the Jag :-)
Also this week, I had a message from a friend who has heard about a Volvo thats going cheap, shame its lived the last 5 years in a hedge !!! Might be a bit too late to save, but it is a Turbo :-), could be the moldiest Track Car in the World :-)
Edited by TooManySheds on Monday 14th March 23:52
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