1) It's RWD
2) It's 5 speed manual
3) It's bell-housing compatible with all of the Volvo redblocks, turbo & DOHC
4) It's got the trans at the back and engine at the front = 50/50 weight distribution
5) It's 300kg lighter than any of my other Volvos, so modest power can make it a lot of fun
6) It's straight. Almost no rust in it, probably galvanised, a few dents, decent interior, most stuff works.
7) It was cheap, 700nzd, for my 7th Volvo vehicle! :-D
Now that that's cleared up. A couple of pictures and some progress already:
https://twitter.com/FredCookeNZ/status/ ... 4247318528
https://twitter.com/FredCookeNZ/status/ ... 0668214273
https://twitter.com/FredCookeNZ/status/ ... 5461003265
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHGjljnUAAAuJJm.jpg)
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHPBATRUIAInyak.jpg)
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHVXALzXgAAbxYf.jpg)
And the story of the inspection, purchase, and pick up:
I saw the thing advertised on facebook for 600 and got in touch with the seller that way.
We agreed to meet at the location of the car for an inspection and I got a tour, then took a short drive up the road and back.
Mostly it was all good, except the obvious head gasket issues, and a few dents/scratches/quirks.
I ummed and ahhhed and thought about the mortgage and so forth, then did it anyway.
Others had offered 650, 666 (me), 675, and finally he "let me have it" for 700.
What's a hundred bucks here or there at the end of the day? A tank of gas. Which was full, BTW :-D
So I checked the bus routes, and then it started to really piss down with rain. Phoned a friend, and the adventure began.
Got over there in the dark in the pissing rain and found a sheltered building entrance nearby to use for topping up coolant. No worries.
Drove it back across town and found the following:
1) idling/trailing throttle LOTS of white coolant smoke
2) WOT for short periods of time, eg 0-100kph, instant needle pinned and flashing warning light
3) Cruising at steady throttle at 50-100kph, some sort of coolant pressure cylinder pressure equilibrium, no worries :-)
Tried to start it the night before last to take it to the supermarket, no dice. Cranked and cranked and cranked. No dice.
Pushed it over to my drive yesterday and gave it a charge with my aggressive china charger, all good, back to where it should be.
And tonight, the list above and pics below:
https://twitter.com/FredCookeNZ/status/ ... 2973766656
https://twitter.com/FredCookeNZ/status/ ... 4020862976
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHWBiZpU0AIJ2MP.jpg)
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHWBjmZUQAE96So.jpg)
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHWA8RYUwAAPbFZ.jpg)
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHWA9oqVwAk59mE.jpg)
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHWA-w8VoAAuQBP.jpg)
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHWA_ufUwAAy1eX.jpg)
Comments welcome! Especially from sentimental dutchmen, patriotic Swedes, and jealous Americans (not available in the US!).