I am thinking about buying a 1981 GLT Wagon.( A/T trans... oh-well!) The milieage is 167,000 and for being a NJ veh the body is in great shape (pans/tailgate etc no rust) with a little surface rust. The tires are new and it appears the shocks/struts are good. The dashboard is cracked, I will have to replace it one day. It has a/c, pw pdl cloth interior.

The guy is asking $1750 and his brother has done all the maintenance and was the previous owner. I know about the wiring harness and to listen to the turbo for noises and to get maintenance records, is there anything else I need to look at?

Also is this a good deal ? The owner is pretty firm on the price.

Thanks

> I am thinking about buying a 1981 GLT Wagon.( A/T trans... oh-well!)

Sounds like a nice car from what you describe. I'm a bit curious though -- you mentioned the car is an '81 but you're talking about listening for turbo noises? 245 Turbo wagons were not produced in '81, the production ran from '82 to '85. The only turbo model produced in '81 was in a 2 door.

You may be getting mixed up with "GLT" and "Turbo" models. Volvo produced a turbo lookalike called the GLT in '81 in 242 & 245 models and '82 in only the 242. They had just about everthing the turbo models had: wheels, trim, suspension, etc. -- except no turbocharger. If the car you're looking at is indeed a turbo it isn't an '81.

> I know about the wiring harness and to

> listen to the turbo for noises and to get maintenance records, is

> there anything else I need to look at?

Seems like you know what to look out for. Evan Reisner wrote a great 4 part articles titled "beaters" on Vclassics (link at the bottom of the page). Scroll to the bottom of the page under "Whole Car" and you'll see each part listed (it's really great reading even if you're not shopping for a 240). The wagon you are looking at certainly doesn't sound like a beater in any respect, but you'll find the information listed very helpful nonetheless.

> Also is this a good deal ? The owner is pretty firm on the price.

It's your call. You seemed a bit disappointed about the car being A/T. Don't settle for this car if you had you mind set on a manual transmission. I turned down a near mint condition 242 Turbo many years ago for this very reason. If you decide you want it just keep in mind he's asking nearly $2,000 for a car that around 20 years old. If he's firm about the price that just means you have to try and haggle him down a bit harder. If it doesn't work out then don't worry, there are plenty more out there. Let us know what you decide to do and good luck!

"The only turbo model produced in '81 was in a 2 door."

There was an '81 244 GLT that was a turbo. I've seen one in person.

An '81 245 GLT definitely doesn't have a B21FT (not stock, anyway). B21F for US spec, or B23E for Canada.

Well - thanks for all the info -

I am now a proud owner of a 1981 glt wagon (normally aspirated B21F)

it IS a turbo look alike- the body is very good and it has the turbo insignia and the beautiful turbo wheels. At least in my humble opinion

they are sure handsome.

Once again thanks for all the info. Now it is time to fix the rear wire harness & the wiper motor (it is slow!!!)

The a/t trans is for my wife. I will have to find a "fun" car for me.

In 1981 and 1982, Volvo made the GLT and the GLT Turbo. The quickest way for me to tell a turbo from a non-turbo is the VIN. The 6th and 7th digits will tell the engine, and I know that 47 represents a B21FT. There's a site listed on my links page that shows how to decode the VIN (under General Information). From '83-'85, there was just the Turbo model (no GLT).

If by "rear wire harness", you mean the tailgate harness, there's also a link on my page about doing that repair (also under General info).

Good luck with the new car!

Thanks for the information and the link. And I did mean the tailgate harness. I am going to do this before the bad weather comes my way.

Bob:

I guess I'll talk to you if no one else is going to....

Yes that seems like a good deal although I havent had too much experience with the turbos on Volvos yet. Since you already have a Volvo wagon then you probably know about the usual problem areas. If the body is good and the engine sounds tight and it drives well then anything else can be fixed.

I bought an 85 wagon about 2 years ago and it also has a good body and engine but it had not been maintained very well. I have had to replace all of the front end parts, master cyl., flame arrestor, brake pads, timing belt, wiring harness, major tune up, tires, and a whole lot of interior and exterior misc. items. I still need to replace/repair the blower motor, rear suspension bushings, carrier bering, and then get it painted. It had 109K when I got it. I paid the guy $2400. He was asking $2750.

Good luck.

Kyle