|
Been in a volvo my whole life (there was that time with a crappy honda civic, but we'll forget that one) So I have always wanted an older, ever since I had a 78 240 beauty and had to trade it for a newer reliable one as my kids were babies, and I couldn't afford to restore it to a daily driver. Now, I have that kind of leisure money wise and time wise.
I just bought this wonderful '81 242 from a mechanic teacher. He restored the interior with new seats (beautiful upholstry), new carpeting, new dash, every thing works, from a new heater core to a new fan, its perfect. The mechanics run like a dream, the engine is strong, a new radiator 3 years ago, water pump, alternator, starter, all new wiring and new hoses, clutch is strong and easy to work, and he redid the transmission seals 2 years ago.
It is the rust on the body that is the problem, too many spots to just sand and patch, and the wheel wells would have to be replaced. From reading this site I accepted that it would be better to buy a car with no rust and give it a new paint job that try to restore the body on this car. I went with this car for it's mechanical strenghth. Strong brick, drives like a dream and I don't regret it for a minute.
I am aiming for a strong, nicely restored 242. I am wondering if it would make sense to buy a nice body 242, paint it the way I want, and then part as much of this car into that one that I can. Would it be just as expensive as restoring the one i have now? how much? My bro-in-law can help me do some of it, but I would have to hire a mechanic for the stuff we can't do.
Guidence and opinions needed please, and thank you.
|
