brickster2 Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Hey forum...I'm looking for some advice/feedback/insight. I recently came across an enthusiast selling a 1980 Volvo 240 GT, the kicker is that it's in parts. I haven't seen it in person as yet, but the seller did submit photos to me of the vehicle's present condition. The car is gutted of its interior and engine although the seller presumably has all the parts needed to put it back together (short of the hood, grill,headlights and bumpers). I was looking for a project yet the only real experience I have insofar as mechanics is the routine work I do on my V70's. So having said all that, is re-installing a dash, window actuators, some wiring and engine straight forward or conversely what's the level of dificulty? I guess ultimately I'm trying to detrmine if it's worth it. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoRalV70 Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Pics? or is the one in Virginia? These are lego cars... just think of it as a giant erector set. everything is mostly quite simple. If its just the dash, and the wiring and hvac parts are still there, think about 2-3 hours window "actuators" aka regulators are a 10 minute swap. if its engine wiring just ditch the worthless kjet and go with LH2.2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickster2 Posted January 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Your description is reassuring. I have some reservations given that the car in pieces. At the same time I'm interested because the car is in pieces. I've wanted either a classic Volvo 240/242/245 or classic SAAB 900 for a while (I had a number of SAABs in my 20's and kinda of miss them now that every other person isn't driving one in L.A....lol!) for a getting back to basics project versus my V70's. I'm going to try and post the pics (they were sent to my cell phone by the seller), but looking at them...the body appears to be straight, the interior is gutted but clean, the steering column is still in place, the gear (manual) shifter is still mounted, various wiring where the dash should be is present,etc. The car is not located in Virginia...it's in Southern California. Is the engine installation on 240's straight forward (with respect to the wiring)? Maybe a motor out of a 740 0r 940/960. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badvlvo Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Pretty basic cars, nothing too complicated. As advised, it's best to ditch the K-Jet and run LH or even MS. Things to avoid- The HVAC should be intact. If not it's a total PITA to reassemble, particularly if you didn't take it apart and/or have parts missing. Rust. If it's got rust it's best to keep shopping unless you have the skills and/or money to get it fixed right. Otherwise they are great cars. I have an 80 244 that I autocross and presently have it in progress for a turbo motor. T5 trans, MS1, squirter block, Nathans intake and header, and more getting done right now. There's not a lot of aftermarket support, but there are a few dedicated MFG's that build good stuff for these cars. I'm in SoCal (Bako), is this the car in Lancaster? Not going to swoop your purchase, I have enough going on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickster2 Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Thanks badvlvo (and for that matter 242 as well) ! Wow, I didn't even think about the HVAC system. That's something to definitely to consider given that the dash and associated accessories are out of the car. If I decide to go ahead and take on/purchase this project, I'll definitely inquire about the HVAC. From the photos sent to me,there doesn't appear to be a real rust issue. You see, this is why I come to this site...for such feedback and insight...the vehicle is located in Orange County, is there another one located in Lancaster ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badvlvo Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 There was a GT in Lancaster a while back. Needed some help, but looked complete. I'll see if I still have the info so you can contact the owner. I didn't know about any in OC, that's out of my CL watching territory. I have no HVAC in my 244, but I only use it on the track and autocross, and too and from events. When the weather is cold it sucks, particularly when I need to defog the windshield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickster2 Posted January 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 I have a question/concern regarding 242 GT's and trying determine if the one I'm interested in purchasing is real or a clone. A person who says he is relatively knowledgeable about 240's said that there were some body differences between the body of the GT and that of a regular 2dr Volvo, notably the right side spare tire well and corresponding left hand storage area were deleted. The GT then used a compressed spare. Does anyone on this forum know that to be true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoRalV70 Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 78's i believe did not have "buttcheeks" and were also the last year of the "flatback" in 79 the "round back" came out and lasted until the end of the 240 production. The 1980 GT is more of an appearence package then a performance package. They lack the "GT" firewall to strut brackets and the lower bars along with the strut re-enforcement plates. But should have 23/21 sways . And also shorter BUT not stiffer springs as. The 78-9's. With all that i enjoy my 80 very as a dailydriver with 374k on it all original Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickster2 Posted January 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 Aw shucks! You're the second person that has told me that he '78 and '79 are the GT's to get if you're talking exclusivity and reasonable collectibility. The GT project I'm going to check out is a 1980. If it pans out and the vehicle looks like a worthwhile project (e.g.: most of the major parts are there...since it's disassembled) I'll negotiate and buy it. If not, I plan to at least buy the "GT" parts such as the seats, steering wheel and door panels. By the way, there's a great example of a 242 GT for sale on Bring A Trailer.com that's been restored by the seller. I contacted him about the reproduction GT stripes on his 242 and he forwarded his info to contact him for the person or company that did his (if anyone is interested for their 242 GT's). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoRalV70 Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 Its not like the 80 is a bad car though, its still a rare 242, and the stripes they come from RP80242GT he also does the restorations on the R-Sport/Rally clusters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickster2 Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 In the event I pick of this 242 GT,does anyone know of a wiring diagram (e.g.: to hook up the gauges, instrument, A/C, etc.) or reference I could get to re-install the dash for instance. Would this be the workshop manual? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoRalV70 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 http://www.k-jet.org/files/greenbooks/TP30057-1_witing_diagrams_1980_all_models.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickster2 Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 This is why Volvospeed forums and it's members are the "ish" and their feedback is greatly appreciated. Well, today's the day I have to make a decision...whether to but the 242 GT or not (e.g.: the seller wants to know). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badvlvo Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Did you get it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickster2 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 No...unfortunately in the interim, some other things took priority (e.g.: expenses). The seller still has it. I'm going to contact him to see if he's willing to still hold out for another 2 weeks until next pay day (* the seller stated that he's itching to get rid of it and would have done so already if it weren't a GT). I've been bitten by the 242 GT bug now...lol. If I don't pick up the one in question, I'll be looking for another one as a project. For this year, I said I was looking for either a S70/V70 T5 M or a T5-R wagon. One of those was going to be my must have. Now I have to add 242 GT to that list. Sometime this year, hopefully one of these will be mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.