360 GLE '89 restoration

[José_Manuel]

About a year ago, I decided that it was time to start restoring my 360 GLE.
I wanted it to stay classical, but to add some improvements so I could use it as my everyday car (now using my mother's ). I decided to add some isolation, electric and heated rearview mirrors and make some sonic improvements with new speakers.

Well, here are some of the results:

The Beast


The engine


Disassembling








Wiring speakers and electric mirrors



Door trims mods:








Isolating with Silent Coat (Dynamat like):












Setting everything up again:





And that's pretty much the point I'm in. I have to install a radio (coming next week) and fit the dashboard and central console.
More pics to come!

Thanks for reading and enjoy

[Speedy88]

Nice work so far, it's not often you see a real restoration of these cars.

[Ride_on]

The engine is in amazing condition, has it been wrapped up for 20 years?

I will have to criticise tho, the car does not need restored, it looked as if it was perfect. As an original example it has been ruined with unstandard sound proofing and customised speaker. The best you could do with this car is leave it alone.

Perhaps this is a translation issue, restore is to return to original, this is a customisation.

[macplaxton]

Perhaps this is a translation issue, restore is to return to original, this is a customisation.

Nah, it's not even a translation issue. One man's restore is another's customisation.

Take one bog-standard car. Add a bit of soundproofing and a non-OEM stereo install. Restoration comes in many shades.

[José_Manuel]

The engine is in amazing condition, has it been wrapped up for 20 years?

I will have to criticise tho, the car does not need restored, it looked as if it was perfect. As an original example it has been ruined with unstandard sound proofing and customised speaker. The best you could do with this car is leave it alone.

Perhaps this is a translation issue, restore is to return to original, this is a customisation.

Engine is the original. I've swapped as much original damaged parts as I've found (spark plug wires, some relays, some AC cooler parts...). Appart from Cold Start Valve, that is in poor condition and makes cold starts a little difficult, everything works like a swiss watch.

Yes, it's a customization, but appart from the speakers and the radio (I admitt they look a little strange and modern...) it looks just like a original 360GLE with isolation improvements. I tried to get this original Volvo speakers but I gave up because in Spain is almost impossible to get anything from 80's Volvos:

[MCHUDD]

Hi Jose.
If those are the two front door speakers, i have two of them.
Cheers Mark.

[macplaxton]

They certainly are front door speakers, very common around here.

It's also a CR-4041 radio/cassette in the picture.

[José_Manuel]

Man, when I see all the accesories you can get so easily in UK and the rest of Europe...

[MCHUDD]

Hi Jose.
That engine looks brand new. Also like the six clock dash.
Cheers Mark.

[Ride_on]

Well I'm not restoration snob, I'm calling mine a restoration and a customisation, I try to keep it looking the same mainly.

I have plenty of spare speakers too, and have some spare upgrades that fit in the original speaker locations. You're welcome to them mark.

Jose you can have my Volvo Cassette radio but its really only good for parts.

[macplaxton]

Man, when I see all the accesories you can get so easily in UK and the rest of Europe...

I've pulled in accessories from the UK, NL, FR, DE....

You just have to ask the right people and wave some Euro around

[José_Manuel]

Hi Jose.
That engine looks brand new. Also like the six clock dash.
Cheers Mark.

Thanks, Mark, my father (former owner) was really careful with this car. I've employed much time restoring the engine and I the way it looks so shiny!

Well I'm not restoration snob, I'm calling mine a restoration and a customisation, I try to keep it looking the same mainly.

I have plenty of spare speakers too, and have some spare upgrades that fit in the original speaker locations. You're welcome to them mark.

Jose you can have my Volvo Cassette radio but its really only good for parts.

The best option for speakers would be to fit new ones with classic Volvo covers.
I prefer to use a modern radio. I love the classic look of tape radios, but new technologies are much better for music storage!

By the way... does anybody know where can I get this piece? Is particularily driving me crazy

[macplaxton]

I prefer to use a modern radio. I love the classic look of tape radios, but new technologies are much better for music storage!

Use a Volvo one, then hide 3.5mm socket so you can play a modern device (be it smartphone or MP3 player) through the old head unit. Quite easy to do with Volvo radios as they have sockets on the back for separate amplifiers.

By the way... does anybody know where can I get this piece? Is particularily driving me crazy

Yes. You'll have to wait a while though. I never seem to find time to get to my cars.

[Logan360]

I have mentioned in your other thread i have a cold start valve and most probably that centre piece as my dash is still together. let me know if interested.

[Maybach]

Hello José,

I'm another Spanish proud owner of a Volvo 360, also suffering the scarcity of spare parts in our country.

I'm glad of your effort trying to achieve the best condition as possible for your car.

If you need some advice about parts or any other question related to your car, please feel free of contacting me by PM, in adition to the discussions in the forum.

Best regards,

Saludos