Well folks, I've got a bittersweet announcement to make. I've decided to sell my beloved '91 780 Coupe and move on over (not up) to the FWD forum. I've got just about everything the way I like it on the car, but my wife is less than pleased with the surging power from up to 18 lbs of boost and the not-so-subtle-compared-to-stock exhaust note from the 3" pipe and the flowmaster. Among other things. Also, as she will be finishing grad school and finally joining me at Ft. Campbell, I'll be able to spend my weekends with her, rather than indulging my hobby puttering around in the auto craft shop all weekend. Believe me, as much as I love my car, my time with my wife is far more precious. Of course, all the tinkering is just about done anyways, but that argument fell upon deaf ears :) The final nail in the coffin was pounded in on valentine's day when we test-drove a C70... I've since arranged to procure a '99 C70 HT, black with 5 spd manual and quite a bit of money already poured into some serious suspension upgrades. It'll probably be a bit of a step down in raw power, but it's a bit more well mannered according to the wife.

I'll be posting the full details in the classifieds shortly, but here is a quick rundown in case anyone is interested. I've invested a huge amount of time, labor, and of course MONEY in the vehicle, and I believe it shows. I'm still completing a last few bits of work because I do not want to turn around and sell someone else any problems.

1991 Volvo Bertone Coupe VIN YV1HA8728MD011374
This vehicle has a RECONSTRUCTED TITLE!!! If this scares you, don't let it. The damage was minor and was thoroughly and completely repaired. Believe me, I've been over it stem to stern many many times and you wouldn't be able to tell if I hadn't told you. I bought it used in the summer of 2000 for $5500.

Black exterior, about to be freshly repainted ALL gloss black (no chrome trim)
850-look bodykit from brickstylz.com will be installed before sale. $1100

Butterscotch interior- front seats a bit worse for wear but repairable. All power EVERYTHING works... seats, sunroof, locks, windows, etc. I bought hardened ABS genuine volvo floormats which match... another $50 but well worth it.
Driver's side door trim is peeling away just like on every other 780 on the planet.
Dash has a single 1" hairline crack by the temperature sensor. I assure you, it is nearly imperceptible. Sunvisors are for some reason mismatched but fully functional and both match the interior.
Windows are tinted but not too dark... $100, with lifetime warranty from nationwide brand that is transferrable and can be used at any shop that installs that brand of tint.

Thule roof rack- $150

ICE:
Added 87-90 780 equalizer to stock stereo- $130.
Replaced stock speakers with Alpine- $175.

Calibrated VDO boost gauge installed in stock spot- $50
Air/Fuel meter readout remotely mounted above steering column- $35

Suspension:
limited run IPD swaybars for IRS- $370.
The car came stock with a smaller rear swaybar, and a Limited Slip Diff... only on the '91 bertones.
Cherry turbos upper and lower braces- $200
Bilsteins ALL FOUR CORNERS (I de-nivomatted it, see the 700/900 faq for more info)- $400
IPD 200 series overload coils in the rear (car rides at stock height, but springs are necessary for the conversion, again- see the faq)- $100
All front bushings replaced about a year ago; urethane strut rod bushings as well.- $175.
Strut tower bearings done last week- $75
Inner tie rod ends could use replacing- see below. -$100

Wheels/tires:
The wheels are stock 15" X 7. They are a bit bent, and aluminum is difficult to repair. However, I would suggest you pick up an aftermarket wheel/tire package (you would probably want to anyways, 15" doesn't put the power to the road very well) and use the 15's for snows. The tires are good for another couple months, but need to be replaced as the bent rims are wearing them down prematurely. Don't replace the inner tie rod ends until you do the rims.
-$1000

Brakes:
Brand new Zimmerman Cross-drilled 11.25" rotors in the front and new Zimmerman rotors in the rear (3 weeks old) as well with PBR metal master pads- $150

Exhaust:
3" from the turbo back, Stainless steel tip on a Flowmaster, with a race cat: $500

Transmission:
2500 RPM stall speed torque converter professionally installed 4 months ago; all transmission seals and bearings replaced as well as rear main as a matter of preventative maintenance- $500

Engine:
Mobil 1 10w-30 run and changed every 3k miles. Less than 1 quart used between oil changes, no smoke, no leaks.
IPD VX cam and adjustable gear- $275
Timing belt, tensioner, and all front seals replaced at the same time as Cam install, about 4 months ago- $75
Magnecor wires- $100
Torquemaster plugs and MKII coil- $150
Big-bore throttle body- $150
Primary electric fan- $80
turbo & exhaust wrap- $50
cold-air intake w/ K&N- $60
Dawes Device manual boost controller- $40
Custom-built water injection boost-triggered system- $75
Vortech FMU rising-rate fuel pressure regulator- $150
All injectors cleaned, balanced, and flowed 5 months ago- $100
Compressor, receiver/dryer, and orifice replace and A/C system recharged 6 months ago- $300

I run the engine at 15psi without the water injection, and up to 18 with it. I would speculate it is capable of more, but I don't want to push it. It is already VERY fast and VERY quick as well.

Do the math, it comes out to $11365 invested if my math is correct. take off for the tires and the inner tie rods and you're down to $10265. I'm sure there is stuff that I've forgotten, this doesn't include the paint job or the spare & stock parts I still have, or the COUNTLESS hours of labor I have invested myself. I have almost every single receipt for everything from oil changes to performance parts. Some of the numbers above may be a bit different, they're just off the top of my head.

I know I've got no pictures yet, I'd like to wait until after the paint job. Anyways, that's the bittersweet news in all it's gory detail. If anyone would be interested, drop me a line. I'm not in a huge rush to sell, but I don't want it hanging around forever.

Thanks for looking,
-Jon


--
1LT Jonathan T. Belmont-- '91 Coupe 165K 'Gustaf'