I bought a 1979 242GT which I intended to save initially, but which turns out to be just too far gone rust-wise to put any investment into. The mechanical and trim parts are all in very good, shape, though, so now I think I will make a more-or-less ersatz 242GT out of my other car, which is a good condition 1984 242 DL. I have some questions about this 242GT, though.

The rear axle for GTs is supposedly a 4.10 with a limited slip, from what I read. This car has a 3.91 with an open diff. Did someone steal the rear-end off of this car already or did some cars not have the performance rear?

What cam is in the 1979 car? I have read conflicting reports. Someone with experience would be great.

Supposedly the 1979-1980 cars had an additional lower A-arm support of some kind, but I don't see any evidence of that on this car. Can anyone confirm or deny the existence of such a device? I have the strut tower braces, stiffer springs, etc.

What was the original material for the backing board behind the gauges in the 242GT? This one appears to have a painted piece of wood...

Thanks!

Karl

I bought a 79 GT (Canadian model) brand new. (of course I wish I still had it....) It had an open differential and the standard instrument panel. A limited slip was a dealer installed option, as was the GT instrument panel. I went for the panel - a lot cheaper than the diff.
It had the upper braces, but not the lower. DeCarbon rear shocks, stiffer front springs, and sway bars. Early style air dam.
The cam was probably a B, which the Canadian cars got as they didn't have Lambda, and had the European engine of about 112 horsepower.

The performance parts varied on the GT from year to year - R-Sport front springs, 21/23mm sway combo, chassis braces, etc... About the only sure thing is that an '80 is just a normally-aspirated 242 Turbo. I don't think any U.S. GTs got the lower tie bars.

Limited slips were very rare in any 240 - they were not standard on the GT. 3.91 is the standard rear for all GTs, I believe. 4.10s were only in the earliest B20 and B21 cars from '75 and '76.

Do the gauges look like this?:


These are R-Sport gauges, optional on any 200 of that era, but especially seen on the GT, for obvious reasons.

--
Speed Racer, '83 240 R, '74 164 E, '93 940 OL1 (Manchester, CT)

All I can say is that my '78 GT came with upper and lower bars, limited slip 4.10 rear, and R-sport fr struts & springs, all of which are going onto my 245, so fyi, those are not avail. Also the 22m fr bar is long gone, and didn't have the R-sport gauges.
Another piece of info, very few (I thought was not available outside of CA) came with Lambda system, that my '78 GT has, which was very nice set-up. Most came with egr.
--
'89 245 Sportwagon, '96 960 sedan

Assuming this is a US market GT with B21:
3.91 open rear axle is standard for GTs.
The cam is the typical plain jane B or M (can't remember which) unless it is Canadian.
Some 78's came with the lower strut brace, no 79 or 80had them stock.
Normal instrument cluster in a GT (but with center tach) unless it has the R-sport gauges set into a steel frame and facia.

Okay, thanks for the great info! That explains what I've got then. Glad to hear that it hasn't been butchered by a previous owner. Thanks

Karl

Karl-
Whatever you do, pull the front R-sport springs and the strut plates. The '79 GT is the only source for those. R-sport front springs are sweet in any 240. If you don't want them, I'll buy them. Also, the 21 mm front bar and 23 mm bar are good to keep. Strut braces, upper, if you have them.

The '79 and later GT had pretty much the same components as the DL model. It was the '78 that had the limited slip diff, lower A-arm tie bars. The cam in all the GT's were the same as the DL/GL models, engine were the same.
The guages don't sound like a Volvo component, probably done by previous owner.
I have a '78 242GT in my backyard, with the same conditions as your GT. Parting out now, I have a perfect interior available f/s.
--
'89 245 Sportwagon, '96 960 sedan

Thanks for the info! Sounds like I have a stock 1979 GT (came with IPD swaybars, though). I'm interested in some parts off of your 1978 if you email me. I sent you a note. Thanks!

Karl