Look what exciting things I got for Christmas - shitty brown plastic NOS things
I shall fit them in the spring when the car comes out of its hibernation.
In other news, I have had a bit of a paintwork disaster: some cold weather in early December coupled with a fairly crappy car cover has played havoc with the bonnet paint, making it come out in little hives all over. It's not the original bonnet, as it's in fact yellow originally and from a slightly later car, but it must not have been prepared properly when it was resprayed. Oh well, you live and learn, and the paintwork is not great on the whole car anyway.
I have rented a garage for it over the winter, but I am very much hoping to construct one at my house ready for next winter. Only problem is, apart from cost, is that it will only fit a maximum of 2 cars, so I will still have 2 outside permanently, boo.
I have also had new bushes fitted to the anti-tramp bar, but they haven't stopped the 'squelching' coming from the rear when you move off too quickly. Any other ideas?
I have spoken to some upholsterers about re-trimming the seats, but no-one is able to find the correct material. Apparently it is corded bri-Nylon.
Oh and finally for now, I have had some information about the early life of this car. Production started on 14 September 1976 and the car was originally destined for the Austrian market (MC17). The paperwork was handed over to Volvo Car BV on 2 November 1976. At some point after this date the destination changed, and it was registered in the Netherlands as 80-RA-54 on 21 April 1977 and delivered to its first owner on 22 April 1977. So I can fairly confidently say that although a '77 model year car, it was built in September 1976 and thus is really very early indeed

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