Has anyone made or purchased a cargo cover for a 245?

Do you have any recomendations, or pictures of one you made?

Daughter moving out of the dorm this school year, so needs wheels. I'm sending my '91 245 5sp commuter car to school with her. My wife insists that it really needs a cargo cover to help avoid brake-ins.

Thanks.


'90 244 5sp Sedan; '91 245 5sp wagon; '97 328 BMW
Shopping for BMW 528 5sp wagon, BECAUSE VOLVO STOPPED BUILDING RWD!!!

Made. Some text from my dad (dbrick) about the process:

Measured the car width behind the rear seat. Went to hardware store, bought a roll-up window shade (the kind that's spring-loaded on a wooden roller). Screwed the roller mounts to the front of the cargo compartment just behind the rear seat and just under the side windows. Screwed little pipe-holder fittings at the back, again just under window level; these fittings hold the "bottom" of the shade, which is stiffened with a wooden batten. It's a PITA to get the camlock to work, but it does cover the cargo compartment.

It's an effective cover, but for whatever reason, I tend not to use it, because I don't travel much in the car and in town I choose NOT to leave a pile of stuff in the back. Prevention, I suppose. If you're curious about how it looks, let me know and I'll go out and take some pictures.
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'88 245 DL

Volvo part # 1394238-8 only available in black I think for later models - with a cutout for the extra brake light.

Email (check profile) if you want details of fittings and dimensions, as it is really just a high quality roller blind with a sewn in panel one end.

Tan with cutout for brake light: 1394 245. Bought one for my car a few years ago, worth every penny since it's also a great sound dampener. Tan covers however are a bit sensitive - dust and dirt from stuff you haul below the cover tend to get rolled into the thing and then become visible at the upper side...

For models without third brake light there were black, tan and blue covers available. Part nos 1333 671, -946 and -944 respectively.

Martin
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'65 121, '73 165

For models without third brake light there were black, tan and blue covers available.


My car has a 3rd brake light and a blue cargo cover with a cutout. Wierd.


-b.

I don't find it that strange. For no obvious reason Volvo has always messed up the accessories market with countless iterations, part number changes and regional limitations. Just look at the 240 front center armrest, for an example, or the sports suspension (chassis) kit for the late 960/90.

Of course it may be as easy as a product discontinued early, too.

Martin

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'65 121, '73 165

Not that weird - I could only find mention of black load covers after about 1991 so assumed if one could still be ordered from Volvo it might only be in black. I'm in the UK so it may not be the same in the US - or dealers may have them in all colours, or have old stock (although I've never actually seen a blue one with a cutout).

As far as I know load covers were not factory fitted so maybe dealers kept a few in stock.

We had a Volvo cargo cover in our '89 245. Got it at the dealer and was an easy install (if I remember correctly it was around $150) I believe that they are still available new. It consisted of a horizontal window shade like device, the mounting bases for the roller and two hooks that mounted at the rear of the cargo area. If you get one from eBay make sure you get all the mounting hardware.

Haven't done it...however, toyed with having a custom windowshade made to fit a 245. Window treatment/ furniture/ drape, etc. shops should be able to make one. Don't tell them what it's for...they'll say it can't be done. You can use the regular windowshade hoders, mounted to side panels behind rear seat, or metal body panel just below rear windows. Several ways to secure it when covering cargo...ie, "L" brackets at the inside rear hatch opening; or "D" rings to "L" shaped brackets; "U" shaped brakets along left and right side cargo area panels.....pull part (bottom) of shade would slide into these. Mount "U" brackets on their sides with the open part facing the rear hatch. That way the shade will stay taught.....or at least should.

If you have tinted windows, a black fabricate thrown over the cargo, makes the cargo dissappear. I used this method while hauling Video equipment in a Mini Van. When you look in the windows (except clear one) all you see is black.

Enjoy.

Another great option is to have the windows tinted in "limo-black" from the rear doors back throught the tailgate. Use lighter tint for driver and passenger doors.

Hope this helps,

Sincerely,

JBeechcraft

From VLVworld.

Other option is just to stretch a blanket over the top. You'll have to be creative in holding it up, though.

-- Kane
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While I would never deliberately mislead anyone, take into consideration that any information and advice provided was at no cost to you.