About a month ago, I worked an impound lot auction in rural Georgia. They were the usual suspects. Drug siezed vehicles, DUI's, abandoned cars, and a few repos that were never paid off in a timely manner. Thirty vehicles, thirty minutes of bid calling. Another easy day.

But then I saw her. A 1994 Black Volvo 940 in Leather with all the goodies to boot. The Autocheck I pulled up showed that she had spent her entire life in that cosmpolitan wonderland known as Birmingham, Alabama. No accidents, 153k miles. A long ownership history before she had an affair with a miscreant that had one drink too many. The dents, dings and busted fog lights almost totally obscured her Michelin tires. The leather was a bit rough, and the radio was gone, but the dash had yet to see a crack in it. After a brief conversation with her caretaker at the impound lot, I agreed to do the sale in exchange for the Volvo in distress.

First I got her oil changed and replaced a tire. The small $50 worth of makeup was well worth it on the open road. Then I spent another $70 getting her a new wheel bearing and some miscellaneous trim. Now she was driving like a million dollars... well okay... she was driving like an Old Volvo which is pretty damn claose.

Today I picked her up from the paint shop. Usually I do a 'scuff and shoot' for $200 but since I wanted it to last, I sprung an extra $100 for a basecoat clearcoat. Boy what a difference it made!

Now I've got to go for the hunt and peck on some small items. Driver's side view mirror glass, Knobs for the A/C system, a cover seat for the driver (or maybe a new seat altogether), a nicer rear seat cushion, and of course... the radio. More than likely I'll be getting it out of a 740. By the way, here in northern metro-Atlanta finding affordable parts seems to be tough as nails.

I'm estimating the above items will cost around $150 to $200. So it looks like for about $650 I'll have another 940 which should complement the silver 1994 940 wagon we bought for $750 six months ago quite well.

Sometimes the prettiest girl in the class is the most modest. I call her a Volvo... at least when my wife isn't looking.

Best Regards

macarose

I am looking at replacing seats on a 1994 Volvo 940 with those in a 1995 Volvo 960. Both front and back. I believe the ones on the front have the same bolt on pattern. Does anyone know if the rear seats are the same way as well?

I can get a pair of turn lights from a 740 wagon for dirt cheap. Can't find ones from a 940 at all. Would the 740's work? They look the same though the same thing can't be said for the ever elusive a/c knobs and radio.

Finally I'm looking at replacing the windshield as well. Three vehicles at the nearby recycling yard have no cracks or chips, and one looks to be virtually brand new. Unfortunately the first one is a 740 wagon, next is a 760 wagon (doubtful), and the final one is a 960 sedan. I'm thinking the wagon winshield may be identical, the 960 possibly, the 760 doubtful. I may just try to find a 940 that has one instead.

One piece of advice that may be helpful to everyone here...

With the collapsing price of steel and other commodities, it should be easy to find a cheap spare at one of the impound lots. Heck, I got this car for free at an impound lot (it was a dui vehicle) in exchange for 30 minutes of auctioneering. It's running like a million dollars. Only 153k original miles, and I just got her painted. All I need are a few small parts and she'll look showroom new. I write for one of the largest automotive news sites in the country (The Truth About Cars) and this experience will definitely make it to the virtual headlines.

Hope all is well... and thanks!

I live in Woodstock and I'm wondering where you're getting your cars painted for that kind of money.

I have used Diamond Auto Painting in Smyrna, GA and they are absolutely fantastic. I've had them do everything from a plain jane $200 'scuff and shoot' to a $500 high end job. The folks who own it are Chuck and Ray Pinder.

Feel free to tell them that Steven Lang from GTA sent you. They're actually working on a Chrysler for me this weekend.

Hope this helps...

Enjoy your posts on TTAC.

Thanks for the lead. I have a ratty looking 93 Dodge Dakota that the paint blows off as I drive down the road, but it still runs good with excellect interior. I may just check them out.

Do you have any good leads for 940 parts? I'm really running low on sources.

Auto Disassembly Volvo on Chattahoochie Street in Atlanta.

Voluparts, just off of Howell Mill, close to Auto Disassembly Volvo.

What are you lacking?

Thanks!

I want to replace the seats. There looks to be a good set nearby that goes into the 960. I was trying to figure out whether the rear seats would fit in the 940. I believe the front seats are interchangeable.

Need the turn signal lenses, the plastic assembly kit for the sunroof (will get at the dealer), a radio, a couple of A/C knobs, and the driver's side mirror which will likely be bought at a parts store.

I will look at the disassembly place. Voluparts tends to have very high prices. But they run a great outfit.

Oh, and a special thanks to the fellow who gave me the kind remark about TTAC. It's really an honor to share my life's work with anyone who takes an interest in auctions.

I would think it's "nearly certain" the 960 seats would go into a 940. The only difference I could think possible with the back seat would be the configuration of the center pull-down armrest. I imagine a look-see at the pass-through from the trunk side would tell you if there is really any difference in the structure. Auto Disassembly should be able to answer that one for sure.

You've got me wondering if 960/S90 seats would go into my 90 740 when the time comes. (Actually that's not too far off.)

BTW - also consider there are a couple pick-n-pull yards around Atlanta that might have the miscellaneous do-dads you're looking for.