My name is Freerk Trenning, 41 years of age, from Holland, to be more precise, Almelo, located in the east, very near to the German border. Being married to my lovely wife an father of 2 kids (age 4 and 5) I want to share 1 big hobby of mine...
Since my parents have owned a number of (6) Volvos 343/340 series since 1976 (yes!) till 1994, thus have grown up with these lovely cars, It's not a surprise becoming a enthousiast as well.
So, in June 1994 I got a 340 GL Automatic in Light green Metallic from a former boss of a Peugeot car dealership. Since trading in this Volvo for a Peugeot 205, and not being fond of the model either he gave it for free to me!
Drove around to my work and college classes in the evening, I drove some 20.000 miles in 1 and half year.
Did some minor repairs, but only the most necessary to keep it running. i did not even have photos of the car, but it's similar to this:
After a while I traded it for a '87 340 DL in white (also 5 door) but now a Manual box (5 speed).
I started upgrading it a bit with some GLT alloys, Rev.counter and such. Drove it for nearly 5 year and then got lost to a bigger 940 Volvo. Not bad, but these nice little Volvos kept attracting me...
So when I saw near my residence a '80 343 DL in Karlsbad Yellow, an appointment with the seller was quickly made and purchase was done fast. But technical state and bodywork was poor: engine suffered from 2 leaking exhaust valves + bodywork suffered from al lot of rust. But since is covered only 68.000 km's (42.260 miles) I did see possibilties for restoring it. So I did: New front wings, Front body part, back wings + full respray. During the bodywork the clutch was also blown, so rebuilt that as well.:
Used it for some 6 years as a "hobbytimer" and eventually sold it to an acquaintance who only drives some 150 miles per year, because another 343 caught my eye:
"First meeting"
License plate shows a '76 model and after some research it is likely to be the oldest 343 still on the road. But it had a blown Engine and again a lot of rust. So.... It had to be done again!
Purchased it on April 17th 2006 (exactly 9 years ago) and dismantling started in January 2007, the bodywork finished in September 2012 and have been rebuilding it since.
Some pics to accompany all the talk:
"Overall condition not bad, but a lot of work!"
"Deconstruction almost completed"
"Paint job under construction"
"Paint job completed"
"Nice front view"
Have done the check at the Dutch Volvo Importer about the cars details of production:
It was build between May 31st and June 3rd 1976 and delivered to the dealership on August 27th 1976, First day on the road August 31st 1976.
Mileage is low, some 37.000 mls and been in 1 family since new, that's why it isn't bought back by Volvo to be discarded, as they did with the first built series (due to all the teehting issues...)
Nice detail, my Parents did own also one of the first 343's, their Choclatebrown 343 L was registered on July 23rd 1976.
My father does also recall all the quality issues of that car, the successor of it, an '78 343 L was very reliable.
Some of the jobs I have to do are: bleeding the brakes, mount the wheels, do some mayor rustprevention and so.
Hope you enjoy this story, will post some more pics and keep you updated.
Cheers, Freerk
