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We
are "Volvo-minded" family. When I was little, my
grandfather had a red 144, B20 automatic and my father drove a
blue 144, B20 manual. Our neighbour was director of Volvo Trucks
in Vorst and therefore always drove the latest Volvo cars.
The 144 was replaced by a 244 but was disappointing with regard
to fuel economy, even with LPG. So the Volvo was parked outside.
We then had 3 Citroen CXs, a Mercedes 4matic and a Mercedes
G.
In the meantime my mother drove a 2nd hand Volvo 960 and my
father bought a Volvo S80D. I drove only a motorbike. Then I
became father and bought a 460Turbo off my cousin who works at
Volvo, great car. In the meantime, my wife drove a Volvo 440 TD.
The 460 was replaced by a fully optioned 940 TD, bought with
460.000 kms on the clock for only 1000 Euros. 2 years later I
sold it with 508.000 kms for 2500 Euros to a Volvo garage, an
offer too good to resist.
In the meantime I had - just by chance - found my dream car, a
Volvo 780TD from 1986, a completely original, Italian car which
was imported to the Netherlands, where it was sitting abandoned
in a yard. The Dutch owner had invested a lot of money in this
car to bring it up to a good standard, however because of
circumstances he had to dispose of it. The price I have paid was
less than the money he had put into it. Suddenly I owned my
dreamcar. After replacing the front shocks and sorted out the
import documents from Holland, the car went through the technical
control without any problems.
I use the 780 every day. Some people think I should keep it for
special events, however I think this car must be driven rather
than stored in a garage under a cover
Still to do:
Windshield cracks.
Replace rubber for sunroof
In the meantime the car rides on 17” Volo rims with 215/45/17
tyres. The original rims are being sandblasted, repainted ready
for the winter tyres.
Sept 2008
There is bad news from the blue 780:
Rust,
Rust,
Rust
Completely stripping it, Floor is easy to repair, Roof will be tougher,
Evacuation sunroof was blocked, So now the roof is swollen with rust
Bought a 940 for no money with a sound roof to cut and weld….My intention is to bring the car up to showroom standard.
Interior has been sewn new in black and blue. The bodywork is the next big job.
Engine is ok but I bought a 940se TDIC with a shot head gasket for no money (as usual).
Sold leather interior and rims so that my money is refunded.
Intention is to overhaul that engine and gearbox completely and to put it in the blue TD when ready but there’s no hurry to do so
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