Post: #1

Ever since completing the restoration of my 79 242GT (http://brickspeed.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2430) I was looking for a new project... and so I did for 9 months until a 291´000km 1989 745 popped up for sale. It was a auction to part out the car or export it. The next weekend me and my dad went to look at it and bought it for scrap metal price The car came with 12 rims (8 aluminium and 4 steelies), a R-Sport Steering Wheel, a Tow hitch, Volvo Mudflaps, 740 Turbogrill, Snowcap, Oil pressure gauge, digital outside temperatur display, cruise control, a CD changer from 1991, 2 antennas, rare Volvo wind deflectors, a Volvo accesoir coin tray for the center console a electric fan and a lot of dirt/ cigarettes from the previous owner. The first owner had it until 250´000km and was a Volvogarage owner.



Where the car stood for 6 years







A better look at the ugly pig































On the trailer and ready to go

Post: #2

We drove the car for a few km´s to the closest car wash, from the looks we got the 740 must have looked terrible from the outside


















Washed and both sides polished






















Then the real work started:
New suspension, new rims, new taillights, USA Front, 740 Turbo exhaust etc. almost everything mechanical new.




A look at the cat revealed something unwanted










I think it happened when we drove the car to the car wash, because we could smell that it was running too rich. Decided to buy a 740 Turbo Cat.


Black out all chrome and some of the front - didnt look too good, so the US front took its place










Bought a 850/V70I Spoiler and modified it to fit the 740, the biggest challenge probably were the mounts, since we had to make them ourself. GT in the background looking sexy with that spoiler










Fixed the common 740 problem: The hanging roof liner. The whole job took us about 5 hours, we were very pleased with the endresult. 2 weeks later the liner started hanging again, this time it wasnt the glues fault, the roof body was disintegrating. So I bought another one. Whole process again, but it worked out great.

Post: #3

Decided to install yellow foglamps, that I had bought for my GT














I guess you already noticed the problem with the clear coat... we sanded the whole car, pulled and filled all dents, scratches etc. primered the problem areas and then set off to paint the car.












This was my dads first paint job since 27 years, I think he did a great job on it!

Post: #4

And then I posted an ad on the internet with the following pictures, within 2 hours I already had a buyer.





































I decided to fix the many problems with the instrument cluster. For example the Km Counter wasnt working, none of the lights etc. Fixed everything and when I tried to put the speedometer needle back on something inside the speedometer motor broke...










We sanded out all contamination/dirt from the paint and will polish it tomorrow

Post: #5

Now to the question, why did I sell a fully restored 740 that we had spent 8 months on? At first I was very happy with my purchase, but as we started to fix things on the car more and more stuff broke. At first everything worked pretty good, so I thought it would only take us 1-2 months to get the car ready. But then the Km counter broke, together with the glovebox lighting, instrument lighting, blower resistor etc. Every saturday for 8 months we spent around 10 hours working on the car but it never really worked enough to get inspected for the registration. Literally everthing you touched or looked at broke, it started to become a money pit. I slowly got demotivated and mad at the car, then at my dad and so the fun "father son project" started to crumble. I talked with my dad a long time about selling the car to try to save our relationship and my bank account, he told me, that I payed for everything on the car and that it is my decision. Whatever decision I chose he will always help me with pleasure.
Thanks dad!

The car only is good to look at, but not to drive or use. Everything breakes on it and it isnt even fast, after 110km/h there is no more power. I´m happy that I sold it, but after 8 months this car started to become a part of the family.

-Volvo0815

Post: #6

Here is a picture I took during polishing, it looked so good




I took these pictures after the polishing. For the last time we mounted the summer rims again to take pics. Looking at these photos hurts me inside, because it looks so good and I regret selling it
















These were the last days I had with her before the delivery


I went to visit the 740 with my moped to mount the tach and the original steering wheel




The final moments with the car I hated and still regretted selling, the new owner was very happy













Bye Bye




We delivered the car to the new owner, which was about 130km. It was my first drive on the streets with a manual gearbox, but I didnt have any problems with it. But the car had so many problems... still. After about 30km the car was running very rough between 2000 and 3500rpm and the heater broke, again..... at this point I had enough of the car. Currently I dont really miss her, because her replacement is just awesome and 10x faster.

-Volvo0815

Post: #7

The new owner now has the car since about 2 months and is really happy with it. All this time he has been fixing problems, but still hasnt finished. In my opinion the car has gotten a very good new owner, because he really takes care of her (this is very important for me). We are still in touch and swap pictures of our cars from time to time.





-Volvo0815

Post: #8

i regret disposing of my broken 265. wagons are fun to drive and especially when powered right!

Post: #9

Hope the new owner took care of it like you did.

Post: #10

It must really be a relief to know that your beloved car is being well taken care off by the new owner.