Hello All...

[thebear54]

A big HELLO from across the great pond...........

I can understand that this may sound a little strange to most.
Recently I have purchased a 1978 Volvo 343 DL with Variomatic here in the States. This V3 came from Sweden to California in 1982 with it's first owner.


The car has very low mileage, no tin worm, is almost mint inside and the price was right.

"Marilyn" (as I call her) was featured in a soon to be released Richard Gere film called "The Double" just after it was sold to it's second owner in Detroit. They did a facelift in Detroit to make it appear as 1980's Paris.


Here is the reason I was able to purchase "Marilyn" at a VERY reasonable price-

While in storage a rather large tree limb came crashing through the Garage and knackered the roof of the 343.

I will be making a serious attempt to repair the 343 in order to bring her back on the road.

John

[volvodspec]

haha good to see you on here too John

[macplaxton]

I was wondering how long it would take you to tip up here John

Anyway, you just need to replace the rest of those air-cooled motors you have

[volvosneverdie]

Oh dear. Sad cvt.

Welcome in dude.

[Chris_C]

Looks a lovely car, glad you are given her a chance! Welcome in

[MCHUDD]

Hi mate and welcome.
Great to see another mk1 still alive.
Cheers Mark.

[SteveP]

Stunning car, bad luck with the tree Hope it can be fixed

Any idea how EFE 532X is going over there??

[thebear54]

Stunning car, bad luck with the tree Hope it can be fixed

Any idea how EFE 532X is going over there??

Thanks for the warm greetings Chaps.

Hello Steve,

"EFY" is doing quite well (she is only 5 hours North of me and have seen her many times). Currently she is getting a face-lift since Bob is doing some minor bodywork (did I say minor? ), changing the propshaft and doing some assorted preperations for another Winter in Maine.

Soon after "Marilyn" arrived here I wanted to go for a short spin but could not get behind the wheel due to the collapsed roof. I decided to take matters into my own hands to (sort of ) fix the problem.

After removing some of the interior bits and the Headliner I used some "Yankee Engineering". A few well placed blocks and a hydraulic Jack served well to return shape to the roof.


After seven hours of pushing and hammering I can now get in normally. At least now I can drive this wonderful Volvo (DAF 77) 343.

John

[Evoman]

Great car, great story too. Hopefully you'll return it to its glory

[Hell Driver]

Hi, I was sad to see what had happened, hope all goes well with the car, worth fixing as it's otherwise in great condition and it must be rare for anyone there to have ever seen one!

[thebear54]

Hi, I was sad to see what had happened, hope all goes well with the car, worth fixing as it's otherwise in great condition and it must be rare for anyone there to have ever seen one!

The transport driver told me that people were snapping photos of "Marilyn" all the way from Detroit on the Highway and asking questions whenever he was at a rest-stop. He had a delivery at a Land Rover dealership in upstate Vermont (before he did mine), he said the mechanics and sales people went bonkers over the 343.

Do I have a unique car here? Hell, yes! Only three, which I know about, in this country.

John

[thebear54]

Last week Bob C. (who owns EFY and formerly owned by SteveP) brought a present for Marilyn...


What he called "The Abomination" will now be placed on Marilyn's boot. I think it will look stunning myself.

What do you chaps think?

John

[MCHUDD]

Hi mate.
The proper way to go. Spoiler will look great on her.
I wonder would a late 70s Mustang louvre fit on the back window
Cheers Mark.

[macplaxton]

I wonder would a late 70s Mustang louvre fit on the back window

I'm sure John would love a lourve, but doesn't want to mortgage the house!

[thebear54]

LOL....
Just recently I spotted two of the original Type 1 louver units on Flea-Bay-UK. I did bid on them but obviously they went for crazy prices.

I think the louvers would be a good match with the spoiler wing. Now, to find one!!

John