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