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Here in the Portland area there are about three places I've had excellent luck with. First, the U-Pull-It in Damascus, OR (about a 20 minute drive from close in Portland) has TONS of Volvos. Primarily 700 and 200 with a 140 or 160 every now and again. I'd say total they have about 75 Volvos on a regular basis. They do get new ones in in spurts and if you're lucky you'll get there the same day a new car does. One time I was there with my brother in law and we got a FULL interior for a 700 (all seats, mounting bolts/brackets, etc.) for $45.00! Another time I scored a pair of ATE power slot rotors in almost new condition from a 240 for $12.00 each. These exact same rotors sell from iPD for $65.00 each. Another piece of this yard is Foster Auto Parts. When you're in the yard you'll notice a big fenced of area in the NW corner with cars in very good shape. We finally asked what that area was for (we figured it was cars waiting to make it to the yard) and they said it's almost all up for grabs. The trick is that you have to get someone who works there to escort you into the area. If you find something you want you have to go and pay for it up front and they they pull it for you. It's weird, but has loads of finds you wouldn't get otherwise -- you just have to play their game.
Second yard is another U-Pull-It in Tigard, OR on Hwy 99. Not as many Volvos there but way less picked over. They even get in some 240 turbos. My brother in law got a set of turbo sway bars for his 245 for $10.00. Not quite as nice as the iPD bars, but a lot cheaper than the $250 iPD wants. My aquisitions here have included an AMM for $7.50 (a small fortune new...), a big tach/small clock upgrade for my 240 DL for $5.00, and the best was a near new, uncracked set (both sides!) of tail light assemblies. The lenses, gasket, circuit board for less than $20.
The last place is more of a last resort, but can be worth it. It's called Portland Auto Wreckers on N. Columbia Blvd. This place screams sketchy -- One time while waiting to pay to get in the guy in front of us was yelling at the dude working there that, "Big Vinny told me to drop the stuff here, and that's what I'm gunna do! Big Vinny gits whut Big Vinny done want!" Be prepared. The lot is also a total mess. There's no organization and you may have to literally climb over cars to get where you're going. OSHA would have a field day there. That being said, with some patience, and a lot of tolerance, you might find parts you'll brag about scoring for years to come to your Volvo buddies (I hope you have some and I'm not the only one, because otherwise I've just revealed what a huge dork I am...). I got a side mirror for my 142 there for $5.00 that I'd never been able to find anywhere-ever-for any price-period. Not on eBay, not at the iPD garage sale, no where -- except at Portland Auto Wreckers.
Now you know all my secrets! Make sure you leave some parts for me! Happy junking,
-Cameron
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