1982 Volvo 343GL
Discussion
As if the barge collection wasn't big enough I spied this rare non beauty for sale in an auction. 1 deceased owner, 4k miles from new. I do that sometimes in a month!
Bought the only sensible way, blind. Plan is to get it home, change tyres, brakes, all fluids, distributer cap/rotar arm/points etc and see what happens.
More info to follow when it lands in Belfast!!
ps can any previous owners suggest what the mighty white buttons on the steering wheel may be for?
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Bought the only sensible way, blind. Plan is to get it home, change tyres, brakes, all fluids, distributer cap/rotar arm/points etc and see what happens.
More info to follow when it lands in Belfast!!
ps can any previous owners suggest what the mighty white buttons on the steering wheel may be for?
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Cheers guys!
I know it is a car that will divide opinion, similar to the allegro/marina thing. For me I've always liked volvo, this one stood out due to both the history and the interior. Something a bit different.
Great to hear stories of those who bought/sold/drove them new, the 80's to me as a kid were a golden time in motoring.
I'm budgeting between £500 and £1000 to make it usable, but realistically it will do less than 500 miles per year, the odd show really.
The rest of the time it will be laid up beside my similar time warp 740. Good job for my bank balance I didn't like fast Fords when I was young.
I know it is a car that will divide opinion, similar to the allegro/marina thing. For me I've always liked volvo, this one stood out due to both the history and the interior. Something a bit different.
Great to hear stories of those who bought/sold/drove them new, the 80's to me as a kid were a golden time in motoring.
I'm budgeting between £500 and £1000 to make it usable, but realistically it will do less than 500 miles per year, the odd show really.
The rest of the time it will be laid up beside my similar time warp 740. Good job for my bank balance I didn't like fast Fords when I was young.
Car landed this morning.
The transport company that lifted it is 40 miles away from my house so it was a bit of a risk driving a car that as far as I knew had not been on the road since '82, and that I had never seen!!
Bad start, turned the key and nothing. Got a booster pack on a and saw that someone had left the interior light on. Fired straight up into a nice smooth idle...so far so good.
Turned out I had nothing to worry about, it drove absolutely perfectly to my mechanics who performed a quick service. Condition wise it is basically as new. Small car park dent on the drivers door which I'll get taken out and thats about it. All dash lights, fans, heater, dials etc etc work perfectly. Surreal experience driving home as it is pretty much as it would have been picking it up new in 1982.
Never been in a 340 before but was very pleased to see the same dials as my dads old 245dl.
Plans this week will be to get the steel wheels dipped and coated, and new tyres. Then change all the other fluids and electrical components and see what happens after that, probably not much other than being stuck away again till spring.
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The transport company that lifted it is 40 miles away from my house so it was a bit of a risk driving a car that as far as I knew had not been on the road since '82, and that I had never seen!!
Bad start, turned the key and nothing. Got a booster pack on a and saw that someone had left the interior light on. Fired straight up into a nice smooth idle...so far so good.
Turned out I had nothing to worry about, it drove absolutely perfectly to my mechanics who performed a quick service. Condition wise it is basically as new. Small car park dent on the drivers door which I'll get taken out and thats about it. All dash lights, fans, heater, dials etc etc work perfectly. Surreal experience driving home as it is pretty much as it would have been picking it up new in 1982.
Never been in a 340 before but was very pleased to see the same dials as my dads old 245dl.
Plans this week will be to get the steel wheels dipped and coated, and new tyres. Then change all the other fluids and electrical components and see what happens after that, probably not much other than being stuck away again till spring.
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Wheels dipped/painted. New bf goodrich tyres all round, kept the original Michelin ones.
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First proper clean and run out of the year today after a long winter. No issues to report so far, 700 miles done since it landed home.
At some point, despite the loss of originality, I may look at a 5th gear. I’m sure a later 5 speed box would be an easy fit. Taking it over 65 ish feels like I’m pushing it, which makes motorway journeys a slow lane jobbie.
Despite this it is still a real pleasure to drive. The seats are as comfy as my v60, the original stereo holds stations perfectly and the whole car is a an enjoyable experience.
At some point, despite the loss of originality, I may look at a 5th gear. I’m sure a later 5 speed box would be an easy fit. Taking it over 65 ish feels like I’m pushing it, which makes motorway journeys a slow lane jobbie.
Despite this it is still a real pleasure to drive. The seats are as comfy as my v60, the original stereo holds stations perfectly and the whole car is a an enjoyable experience.
With a heavy heart the 343 is up for sale. Lack of time and space, and other classics i'm more historically attached to. I have to say if it doesn't sell I will not be too disappointed as I'm still unsure about the decision.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
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