Just "rescued" a signal red "MkII phase 1" 343 DLS. First registered Feb 1982, one owner from new, Volvo service history, around 165.000kms. Dodgy brakes, and a little bit of rust.

Pics to follow

Tom

Wow nice save... they must be rare over there! Pics pics pics

Woohoo!
Good work tom.
Get snapping.

SteveP wrote:Wow nice save... they must be rare over there! Pics pics pics

They are pretty rare - at least I've never come across one before! AFAIK '81 Mk1 and '82 MkII "phase 1" "S-Versions" weren't sold in the UK and over here even a MkIII B14 340 is rare, so I'm pretty chuffed that this one turned up more or less on my front door ...

Here's the story - I've been stalking an unsuspecting elderly V300 owner for about 2 years now, leaving notes under the chap's windscreen wipers until he got fed up and gave me a ring wondering why on earth anyone would be interested in his old pile of scrap metal! Anyway, the other week he wrote to me saying last November he'd left it at the dealers' to be scrapped as the brakes weren't working properly, and the dealer wasn't able to find parts for the car anymore. Now has a nice V40 and thought "hey, I'll let Mr Trabitom know, maybe he's just as interested in V40s

In a mild state of panic I rang the dealer, who calmed me down saying the car was still there ...

To cut a long story short, I picked the car up this morning:









"S-Version" means it gets the the 95 horsepower B19A Volvo engine, that nice instrument cluster including rev counter and clock (a rarity in itself), an integrated front spoiler and that strip along the boot, but other than that it's a pretty basic car - DL rather than GL spec means no popout rear windows, no chrome, no tinted windows, 175-width tyres, no rear armrest - also it has a 4-speed box and no radio! In fact, the DLS was dropped fairly early on in the '82 MY, there are two brochures for 1982 and later versions only show the "chromey" GLS.

But I quite like the "basic"-ness of it (after all isn't the engine the most important thing ?) the condition is pretty good and it comes with loads of bills including:
06/2009 a complete new B19-specific exhaust, 520 Euros
11/2008 major service, new timing belt & tensioner, various oil seals changed, 566 Euros
05/2008 service, track rod ends, thermostat, 238 Euros
11/2007 major service, new lamps, gas struts, 824 Euros
02/2007 service, new water pump, 400 Euros
11/2006 service, 240 Euros
11/2005 service, 300 Euros
05/2005 carburettor overhauled, service, 725 Euros

... and that was as far back as their computer would go ...

It's now in the garage in the dry, and I'm not sure what to do with it yet! The rear brakes need doing, and the RH rear wheel arch and RH sill will need attention. Also, the petrol gauge isn't working. In just over two years it could get a classic plate, with cheap tax and insurance, and entrance to German city centres - maybe I'll wait till then ... Being a long-time V300 owner, I've learnt to be patient

Cheers

Tom

That's one lucky car! (and quite pretty too). Well done!

It gives me a tingle in my want-glands.
Good one tom.

You getting low on space yet??

Woah Tom that looks great! Love that early cluster with rev counter

You're right VND, space is getting a bit tight However, the other three 300's are all taxed and MOT'd and on (in) the road right now (madness ) so I've got a garage space free. But I need to find somewhere to put this thing for the next year or so ...

Tom

trabitom99 wrote:You're right VND, space is getting a bit tight However, the other three 300's are all taxed and MOT'd and on (in) the road right now (madness ) so I've got a garage space free. But I need to find somewhere to put this thing for the next year or so ...

Tom

Fix them and park them.
Youre an inspiration to us all Tom.

Wow, that is just amazing

I really don't get some people, I have driven quite few times V40 and I'm feeling claustrofobic in one, also it is utter crap on our roads compared how 300 handles our roads, so I really can't see why anyone would ever even think that 300 and V40 would compare

Anyway that was really lucky save and car looks just suberb, that dashboard is looking so perfect that I really want one

Hopefully space will be sorted out, There is some space on my yard if things get difficult, however distance might be slight issue, it is quite many km from Germany to Finland

PS. Your autotransporting seem awfully cheap, here I have found it costing 2.XX€/km

I've just re-read again and quite shocked at the specifications, never realised they did a 4 speed 2.0! My 1982 343 DL came with rear opening windows, and arm rest too... they were really skimping!

jtbo wrote:Wow, that is just amazing

I really don't get some people, I have driven quite few times V40 and I'm feeling claustrofobic in one, also it is utter crap on our roads compared how 300 handles our roads, so I really can't see why anyone would ever even think that 300 and V40 would compare

I can tell that on 'our roads' a V40 really handles better! But I agree with you that you have more space in a 300 when driving. Also the seats in a 300 are better imo. And most of all, a 360 is more fun to drive!

Tom, good you save the car! This one looks way to shiney for the scrapyard! Any rust on it?

vØlvØfreak wrote: I can tell that on 'our roads' a V40 really handles better! But I agree with you that you have more space in a 300 when driving. Also the seats in a 300 are better imo. And most of all, a 360 is more fun to drive!

Tom, good you save the car! This one looks way to shiney for the scrapyard! Any rust on it?

Ah, but your roads are so perfect, smoot as baby's skin, we have rather rough roads here, winter time is even worse with all snow and ice, at spring ground moves so there is quite bad 'jumps' on roads, V40 bottoms out too easy

Amazing save, looks in good condition, much better than than the 343 I just got! Hope its ok under the sills and floor.

jtbo wrote:Ah, but your roads are so perfect, smoot as baby's skin

and then ruined by speed bumps.

But that's a very nice save Tom. I'm a little baffled by the gigantic maintenance costs but that's what you get for having it serviced by the dealer I suppose. Love the way it's so deprived of anything remotely luxurious, apart from the rev counter. On the later bog basic 360's with the new dash Volvo didn't even bother to fit it anymore