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My 360 Story

Posted: 11 Jun 2014 11:31 am
by 360RED
Hi all,

I'm Mason, i live in the UK and i'm an undergraduate BEng Motorsport Engineering student. My love for cars and motorsport started off when i was very young and has continued since, to the point that it will become my career! My love for Volvo's came around when my dad (the owner of many cars) bought a Volvo 240 GLE. At first, i was not impressed, it looked like a box and was a beige/green colour. Yet after many holidays, cruises, and seeing it fly round Nurburgring with a black bonnet and rally lights, i became attracted to all that was Volvo. Then, after the 240's demise, my dad bought a 83' 360 GLE. I instantly saw it as the definition of the 80's, and I didn't mind being seen in it! I've been to many shows with the car, and to some Volvo owners club meets a while back, but when the recent news hit - that dad had to get rid of it - I couldn't let him. Hence why I am now the owner of two cars, the 360 and my first car - a 1958 Morris Minor 1000. The Volvo and the Morris have become my running restoration projects and the Volvo is my daily driver at present. My present aims for the Volvo are to keep it as original as possible, with some light modifications such as rims, and some needed upgrades/replacements in the suspension and engine department. Throughout my time at uni I look forward to learning and applying my knowledge to improve the Volvo, and will later move onto heavier modifications/conversions including custom exhaust manifolds, power steering, fuel injection e.t.c (when i have the money!). For now, I will seek help and advice on V3M from fellow 300 series owners :) Peace.

Here's a pic
Volvo 3.jpg
1983 Volvo 360 GLE

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 11 Jun 2014 03:41 pm
by 360beast
Hi Mason

Really liked your background story and the 360 looks great in that colour, is it a saloon or hatchback?

Regards
Luke

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:35 pm
by 360RED
360beast wrote:Hi Mason

Really liked your background story and the 360 looks great in that colour, is it a saloon or hatchback?

Regards
Luke
Hey Luke,

Its a saloon :) And yeah, the colour is a nice one, needs a touch up in some places though!

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 11 Jun 2014 05:54 pm
by 360beast
I much prefer the saloons they look more balanced IMO especially when lowered an inch or two... Although Chris_C will disagree :lol:

Is it a B19 or B200 engine?

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 11 Jun 2014 07:30 pm
by 360RED
360beast wrote:I much prefer the saloons they look more balanced IMO especially when lowered an inch or two... Although Chris_C will disagree :lol:

Is it a B19 or B200 engine?
Yeah, i prefer the saloons, but arguably the hatchback looks a bit more sporty... Yes, i will be lowering in the near future along with some classic dish mesh wheels, but not slamming it to the ground aha! :) The engine is, I believe, a B19E. Will be posting more pics in the standard car area soon!

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 11 Jun 2014 09:25 pm
by bogbasic
Greetings, I also have a 1958 Morris Minor which I have owned since 1985 (when I left uni - yes, an oldie here) it was my learner.

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 11 Jun 2014 10:45 pm
by SteveP
Sounds and looks like a nice car, more pics! :) You'll fit in here with a fleet like that I'm sure ;)

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 12 Jun 2014 10:01 am
by Chris_C
Pics of the Morris!

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:39 pm
by 360RED
SteveP wrote:Sounds and looks like a nice car, more pics! :) You'll fit in here with a fleet like that I'm sure ;)
As requested, more pics! Exterior is in good condition as well as the interior... just needs a hoover :lol:
LHS Volvo.jpg
RHS Volvo.jpg
RLHS Volvo.jpg
RRHS Volvo.jpg
S Volvo.jpg
back seats 2.jpg
Back seats.jpg
dashboard.jpg
Front Seats.jpg
I believe most of the car is original apart from obvious things such as mats. The car itself has a large amount of history: mot's, tax discs, and early services at Volvo dealerships from 1983! The underside of the car is good as well as the engine bay (needs a clean though), and mot's and services have been pretty thorough looking through past records. Negatives - There is some small bits of rust dotted around, and the rear view mirror tends to fall off now and again :lol:

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 12 Jun 2014 04:54 pm
by 360beast
That looks sooooo good, love the interior of the early 300s and this one is no exception :D

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:12 pm
by 360RED
Chris_C wrote:Pics of the Morris!
Ah yes, the Morris :lol: It was my sisters car at first when she bought it locally, but she had to give up driving, and so it was left on the drive until i was old enough to claim it for a huge sum of £100! It started first time after around 4 years of standing, and to be honest, it looked great thundering down a road with basically a tree on the front and no front bumper due to a towing accident :lol: Since then i have been slowly restoring it, and these are some pics of it at present, with a little help from Photoshop for what i want it to look like :)
morris.jpg
How it was originally bought
morris.jpg (76.74 KiB) Viewed 14075 times
20131111_073352.jpg
How it is now, looks sporty with no bumper?
20131111_073341.jpg
As you can see, there is a little satin black hammerite test area xD
20131111_073332.jpg
That's a little better
Morris Minor Project.jpg
The end result! (hopefully)
Morris Minor Project.jpg (257.37 KiB) Viewed 14075 times
As you can see there are some extensive bodywork issues, yet it is completely sound underneath. The cylinder head has just been replaced with an unleaded one, new water pump, air filter and soon a new fuel pump. The engine is a 948cc, and the interior is crimson red leather with vinyl sides with white piping. Again, all of the car is original apart from some fiberglass panels and some upgrades i have mentioned :)

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:17 pm
by 360RED
360beast wrote:That looks sooooo good, love the interior of the early 300s and this one is no exception :D
Thanks! The interior is... surprisingly very comfortable aha

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:20 pm
by 360RED
bogbasic wrote:Greetings, I also have a 1958 Morris Minor which I have owned since 1985 (when I left uni - yes, an oldie here) it was my learner.
That's great to hear! I don't see many 58's around, but it is definitely great fun to drive... even though the gearbox in mine is like stirring a pudding :lol:

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 13 Jun 2014 10:05 pm
by bogbasic
Now then, now then, how's about that then? I made this collage around 1990.

Image

The current registration isn't right for 1958 though - the previous owner fancied the old registration which was 69 BYT. I wouldn't mind getting that back, if anyone knows how...

Re: My 360 Story

Posted: 19 Jun 2014 11:13 pm
by SteveP
Great looking cars, particularly the 360 ;)