This morning there was a 5 minute mini-blizzard, which dropped a negligible amount of snow. By noon it was just about all gone so I decided to go to town to run some errands. On the way out to the main road, there were a couple of patches where it hadn't melted yet, but they didn't seem to be particularly slippery. Unfortunately, it turned out to be otherwise, just a couple miles later. There was a long straight, completely exposed to the west, where snow had drifted and become packed down, in a thin layer. I was going about 45, (in a place where the speed limit is 55) and when I put it in OD, not realizing how little traction there was, the back end stepped out. I caught it, and it swung back the other way, too far. I tried to catch it again, but couldn't---it seesawed back and forth a couple more times, swinging wider on each one, left the road to the right, travelling almost completely sideways, and knocked down a mailbox before being brought to a sudden stop by a utility pole. The engine had stalled, and the door wouldn't open, so I climbed over the console and out the passenger side to survey the damage. A guy came running up, asking if I was OK. He had been coming down the next driveway in his big 4X4 truck, and saw the whole thing. He simply could not believe that I was unhurt, and kept asking if I was sure I was OK. I apologized for smashing his mailbox, and helped him pick up the pieces, and he said not to worry about it. The pole, of course, was completely undamaged, though its hole in the ground was ovaled out a little. The guy asked me if I wanted to use his phone, and I said no, that I had my cell. While I was trying to figure out who to call, I was looking over the car---nothing dripping, or dragging on the ground, no smell of gas, or anything else, and despite the deep indentation in the left side, right at the B pillar, all four wheels were still pointing pretty much in the same direction, so I said to him, let's see if it starts up, and I'll drive it home if it does--I only live a couple miles away. The guy, a young guy, who seemed like a bit of a redneck, was even more astounded at this point---all he could think of to say was that I might well miss out on a big expensive ticket that way. (I realized later that, technically, this could be considered leaving the scene of an accident, but if no other vehicles were involved, and the damage is less than $500, it does not have to be reported, and as I only paid $425 for the car two years ago, less the value of the salvage, I think I have a pretty good case if it comes to that) I climbed back in from the wrong side, and only then, when I got into the drivers seat, did I start to realize how badly distorted the car was. The seat was twisted to the right and about 3" narrower than it is supposed to be. I pushed in the clutch, turned the key, and it fired right up, nice and quiet, exhaust still intact, so I put it in reverse, and with only minor difficulty, backed it up and got back out on the road, where I had considerable trouble getting moving. I noticed that the guy had decided to leave his truck where it was, and walk back to his house. What appeared to be "just a little snow" was some of the slipperiest stuff I've ever had the misfortune to try to drive on. Right at this moment, another car came along, and somehow we managed to avoid each other without further incident. I made it home without difficulty, surprised at how straight the car still tracked, despite the steering wheel being almost 1/4 turn off center.

On closer examination, I discovered that the entire body structure was distorted. The impact was on the left side, right at the B pillar. The rocker panel was completely crushed, and pushed in approximately a foot, the roof only by a couple of inches. This was due to the fact that the pole was located on a gradual uphill slope, so the lower part of the car made contact with it first. Perhaps more subtle yet serious was the damage to the right side of the car. I immediately noticed that the door gaps had become wider than normal, but it wasn't until some time later that I realized that the entire side of the car was bowed out, by maybe an inch or so. Both right doors and the tailgate still work more or less normally. The window in the left rear door shattered, the one in the drivers door remained intact. The windshield is cracked. Much of the interior is ruined, including the headliner, which I redid a couple of years ago. (I have pictures of all this, but don't know how to post them)

To sum up, through my own stupidity (speed too fast for conditions, though it was not apparent until it was too late) I have ruined a beautifully preserved all original (except for M46 swap) 20 year old car with only 144K on it. I am impressed with how well it withstood the impact, which I estimate to have been at 35-40 MPH, (you don't slow down much, sliding on ice) but am fully aware how different the outcome could have been if the point of impact had been a foot further forward, or if the pole had been on a downhill slope, and the roof had taken the worst of the impact. However, it is said, any crash you can walk away from is a good one, and I didn't just walk away, I drove away from this one. On the other hand, 14 years ago I demolished my favorite 72 145 in a very similar crash, and it held up quite a bit better, though I may not have been going quite as fast, and the impact was at a little more of an angle, which dissipated the force more gradually.

Anyway, I am now in the market for another Volvo, most likely a 740, 88 or later, or a 940, a wagon, stick strongly preferred, not red, black or metallic gray, ideally a "flat top" with neither sunroof nor roof rack, though if the right late 245, blue on blue, came along, I could easily be tempted to switch loyalties. I live in an area with a good supply of Volvos, so hopefully it won't be too long before I find something. I have an 87, the same color and interior, but it needs too much work (heater core, among other things) to make it roadworthy---it would take several weeks to do it right---so I'll try to find something I can start driving right away.

The wrecked car will be parted out, as the mechanical components all seem to be unharmed, and many of the usual wear items have been replaced in the two years I've had it. Depending on what I find as a replacement, I will probably be offering a lot of parts for sale, cheap, before too long. Watch this space, and the classifieds, for details.

Glad you are OK. Can completely sympathize as I dread having my '88 744GLE totalled, for financial as well as practical reasons. It is getting hard to find an affordable RWD car in good condition. Have been driving in Quebec for 47 years and driven both FWD and RWD, stick and A/T. Studied engineering and used to read Tom McCahill in Mechanix Illustrated. Been trying to analyze the cause of your spin-out, & how it might have been avoided.
Of course, speed was a factor. Usually the sequence of events you describe happens when a driver in RWD tries to steer through the problem while trying to hold speed or accelerate. (It can happen to high-powered dragters on a dry strip.) This might have been the case if your motor was still on fast idle and the OD was driving. At least the gear upshift caused the wheels to spin. One of our posters mentioned de-clutching or selecting "N" on an A/T, especially now with the lock-up mode - the "old" A/Ts used to freewheel when off the gas. This is sound when it becomes apparent that we're driving on a "skating rink". Would you say you were experiencing "power on" or "power-off" oversteer? Assuming your wagon had a 50-50 weight distribution de-clutching could have saved it.
Have driven two Volvos in the past 23 years (first was an '84 244 stick with OD) and have come to appreciate the properties of RWD. OK, can get stuck sometimes if your caught in mud or a deep snowdrift, however, virtually all serious drivers agree that it is generally more predictable and intuitive than FWD when "at the limit". I speak from experience as my first car was a '60 Citroen ID19. Was inspired by a feature in Popular Mechanics in the mid '50s on the DS19. It seemed absolutely marvellous, as the controls and suspension were monitored by "hydraulic logic" circuits, while today's hi-tech cars use computers and software. However, as I subseqently found out, the apparently good handling was more due to the advanced suspension and radial-belted tires
Since most affordable cars (Volvos included) are now FWD, the public has been, dare I say conned, into the notion that FWD will pull you through all driving situations, and the extra front weight is a good thing. The natural instinct when trouble arises is to back off the gas. On my Volvo's this straightens me out, and a simple steering correction suffices. However, I have found that with FWD there can be a delayed reaction as the front wheels change from driving to steering mode. Then you realize you have over-corrected and you have to steer the other way. The result is much the same (for different reasons) as what you experienced on the icy road. The rally drivers take advantage of these quirks with some fancy hand-braking and throttle work - not what regular drivers would do.
Getting back to Tom McCahill, he used to really push his test cars to the limit, and when he tested the post-war FWD Citroen carried over from the '30s, he discovered the same unpredictable handling. My copy of MI is long gone, but I never forgot that article. Surprisingly, there aren't more accidents, however, there could be as the HP keeps getting boosted. Presumably what saves everyone are the computer controls, which apply the brakes and back off the gas, when the driver doesn't know better. Tried the C/C on my GLE & found it eerie, thank you very much. Now GM is demonstrating a car that drives itself. What the heck, you might well as take the train.

I used to fishtail a lot in my 92 MPV, a pickup converted into a minivan, RWD and no limited slip diff. After a harrowing near miss on CT ice, I learned to shift the dumb autobox into neutral. That stopped the fishtailing. Learn to push down the clutch the next time your new car slips, and no foot on the brakes either.
I am glad you were driving a Volvo,
Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Glad to see you were not hurt, although you may feel some aches tomorrow. Amazing that the whole car bowed.

Great and safe cars, but not infallible. There was an article in the newspaper about 5 years ago about and mother and two kids being killed in a head on crash in Burlington. No mention of the vehicles involved. Probably several months later I went junking saw a badly damaged 940 wagon off a little ways. As I got closer I went slower and stopped about 15 feet away when I noticed a baby seat and dried blood. I back away, knowing that was the car.

I live south of you in the Raleigh-Durham area and thank god I have the opportunity to work out of the house when we have the dammed black ice and snow. Being from Ohio, I can handle it but I cannot trust other drivers here. Can’t trust em when it’s dry either.

If you find a 945 you will have to convert it so think about saving the tranny for another swap.

In the early 90's (91 or 92) I recall "junkin" with my dad when we stumbled upon a really nice, yet terribly mangled mid 80's 240 sedan. We had a 78 wagon at the time and I suggested he consider pulling the M46 tranny to swap for our AW tranny.

After asking a few questions of the wrecker of price, etc. I recall asking my dad at the tender age of 10, "seeing the condition of the car, doesnt' it make you wonder if the ppl. (passengers) lived?"

...needless to say my dad shuddered at the idea, and didn't want me asking those kind of questions anymore :S

Wow - I am glad to hear that you are OK; best wishes on finding a good replacement for your brick. That was a nice car!

Andrew S.
'91 744

Here's what happened on 1/13 when I hit the opened tailgate of a Chevy truck. The car cushioned the impact so well I never even felt it. In addition, it's saving me an insurance claim since it didn't even scratch the truck's tailgate. Only structural damage is to the uprights that hold the headlights. I have all the new parts except the passenger side grille mount and a white hood and left fender. The car should be as good as new in a couple of weeks.

--
The Breadbox - 1989 740 GL Wagon in White

One of the odd things about accidents in really well-built cars is the delayed response of the 'danger' circuitry in our heads. They protect us so well we forget ow dangerous this business of driving about is. Volvos, Porsches, Mercedes... they are designed with safety first.

In November I hit a deer in my beloved 1995 Porsche 911 C4 at 50 mph. Took it on the windshield and roof. That car is still in the body shop -- came within 500 dollars of being totalled, and had to have a new roof shipped over from Germany by boat-- but the point is that tough little car saved my life BIG time.

It was about a day or 2 before it began to soak in how lucky I had been. I was so upset about my car that I didn't think at all about how close I came to being hamburger-ized myself.

So you lost a car that was also a friend. It gave up its life for you. Take time to give thanks.

Sorry to hear that,it sounds like you put alot of time and effort into the car.
Glad to know you are OK.I hope you find another nice 7 and use all the good parts.
I too lost a 145,it did it's job and protected the occupant,and some of the parts live on.
BTW Potholes are fierce out this way,but I put on the steelies and skinnies.
Take care
Ken
--
71-145-S ; 72-145-E ; 72-1800-ES

Ahhh, what a shame to lose such a nice car. I finally got my dream 740T M46 wagon built, but it's got Hydras and wide low profile tires on it, so it goes nowhere in the snow.. Parked till April, I tell ya.

Now that I bought an '850 for the wife, I'm starting to appreciate the scarcity of the good old RWDs in fine condition. They're getting scarcer, and what can you buy >95 that will go like an old 240/740 at 250K miles and you can wrench on by the side of the road?

I'm very glad you weren't hurt. A similar thing happened to me New years Eve of 2000, with a 122 wagon. I posted the story here but can't find it now. Slid off the road sideways and broke the beads off the tires when it hit freshly dug dirt. The car went right over on it's roof. The wife and I were hanging by our seat belts and the dog was walking on the headliner. We pushed it over onto the wheels again that night with the help of some other people that slid off the road in the same place. If not for two flat tires, I would have driven it home that night. I came back the next day with two tires on rims and drove it home. Every door opened and closed. No glass was broken. I got a rouge bodyman to push out and bondo the crunch over the windshield and the car looks pretty straight to this day. 1960 technology and a rollover costs less than a grand to make mostly right.

I'd really like to see pictures of your adventure. Could you upload them to photobucket or something so we can view them? I'm extremely interested in seeing how these well-engineered cars live in real world crash tests.

--
Volvo Farmer.

24 Volvos, '58-'97, all RWD, except the 850 t5

Well congratulations, at least you didn't get hurt.

What you experienced is totally believable. One time a long time ago, I had to drive a bunch of wrecked Volvos to a body shop (some trade purchase deal between the shop I was working for and another shop). I drove 2 side impact wrecks, a front-hit 740 with 230k and the front totally caved in running only on a jump start box, and some other assorted wrecks. They all drove well. The best one was a 940 turbo wagon that had obviously had a spin out accident where the rear 3/4 had contacted a utility pole, and I mean, HARD. The window was blown out and the car was clearly bent, but it drove like a million bucks. You could have probably driven it from coast to coast. I really punched it a few times driving it up to the body shop and it performed perfectly. Those huge engine and transmission mounts absorb a lot of impact (and a lot of misalignment).

A long time ago when these cars were still in production, I saw a lot of much more serious wrecks being replaced. That's because the cost of repair was less than 1/2 cost of replacement, so at that time, the repairs could obviously total much more than today without considering the car a total loss. I saw a 940 with a whole side replaced. Like, front door to c-pillar (wagon). The car turned out beautifully, and drove well. I saw it not long ago, in fact.

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Chris Herbst
Scottsdale, AZ