My 360 Story

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Please introduce yourself here, your Volvo 300 hobby...
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360RED
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 Jun 2014 09:42 am
Location: Essex, UK

My 360 Story

Post by 360RED » 11 Jun 2014 11:31 am

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
Own/Owned:

Daily - 2002 BMW 318i Touring
Owned - 1983 Volvo 360 GLE Saloon 2.0
Owned - 2010 Ford Fiesta S1600
Owned - 1958 Morris Minor 1000

360beast
Posts: 873
Joined: 27 Dec 2013 08:40 pm

Re: My 360 Story

Post by 360beast » 11 Jun 2014 03:41 pm

Hi Mason

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

Regards
Luke

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360RED
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 Jun 2014 09:42 am
Location: Essex, UK

Re: My 360 Story

Post by 360RED » 11 Jun 2014 05:35 pm

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!
Own/Owned:

Daily - 2002 BMW 318i Touring
Owned - 1983 Volvo 360 GLE Saloon 2.0
Owned - 2010 Ford Fiesta S1600
Owned - 1958 Morris Minor 1000

360beast
Posts: 873
Joined: 27 Dec 2013 08:40 pm

Re: My 360 Story

Post by 360beast » 11 Jun 2014 05:54 pm

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?

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360RED
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 Jun 2014 09:42 am
Location: Essex, UK

Re: My 360 Story

Post by 360RED » 11 Jun 2014 07:30 pm

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!
Own/Owned:

Daily - 2002 BMW 318i Touring
Owned - 1983 Volvo 360 GLE Saloon 2.0
Owned - 2010 Ford Fiesta S1600
Owned - 1958 Morris Minor 1000

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bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
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Re: My 360 Story

Post by bogbasic » 11 Jun 2014 09:25 pm

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.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

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SteveP
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Re: My 360 Story

Post by SteveP » 11 Jun 2014 10:45 pm

Sounds and looks like a nice car, more pics! :) You'll fit in here with a fleet like that I'm sure ;)
1989 - Volvo 360 GLT
1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
2008 - Volvo S60 SE Lux

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Chris_C
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Location: South Coast, UK

Re: My 360 Story

Post by Chris_C » 12 Jun 2014 10:01 am

Pics of the Morris!
'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast

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360RED
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 Jun 2014 09:42 am
Location: Essex, UK

Re: My 360 Story

Post by 360RED » 12 Jun 2014 04:39 pm

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:
Own/Owned:

Daily - 2002 BMW 318i Touring
Owned - 1983 Volvo 360 GLE Saloon 2.0
Owned - 2010 Ford Fiesta S1600
Owned - 1958 Morris Minor 1000

360beast
Posts: 873
Joined: 27 Dec 2013 08:40 pm

Re: My 360 Story

Post by 360beast » 12 Jun 2014 04:54 pm

That looks sooooo good, love the interior of the early 300s and this one is no exception :D

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360RED
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 Jun 2014 09:42 am
Location: Essex, UK

Re: My 360 Story

Post by 360RED » 12 Jun 2014 05:12 pm

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 14072 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 14072 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 :)
Own/Owned:

Daily - 2002 BMW 318i Touring
Owned - 1983 Volvo 360 GLE Saloon 2.0
Owned - 2010 Ford Fiesta S1600
Owned - 1958 Morris Minor 1000

User avatar
360RED
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 Jun 2014 09:42 am
Location: Essex, UK

Re: My 360 Story

Post by 360RED » 12 Jun 2014 05:17 pm

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
Own/Owned:

Daily - 2002 BMW 318i Touring
Owned - 1983 Volvo 360 GLE Saloon 2.0
Owned - 2010 Ford Fiesta S1600
Owned - 1958 Morris Minor 1000

User avatar
360RED
Posts: 11
Joined: 11 Jun 2014 09:42 am
Location: Essex, UK

Re: My 360 Story

Post by 360RED » 12 Jun 2014 05:20 pm

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:
Own/Owned:

Daily - 2002 BMW 318i Touring
Owned - 1983 Volvo 360 GLE Saloon 2.0
Owned - 2010 Ford Fiesta S1600
Owned - 1958 Morris Minor 1000

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: My 360 Story

Post by bogbasic » 13 Jun 2014 10:05 pm

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...
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

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SteveP
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Posts: 7933
Joined: 21 Sep 2004 12:45 pm
Location: Coventry, UK

Re: My 360 Story

Post by SteveP » 19 Jun 2014 11:13 pm

Great looking cars, particularly the 360 ;)
1989 - Volvo 360 GLT
1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
2008 - Volvo S60 SE Lux

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