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RLC,
Thanks for that. An interesting question. And at the risk of gross generalization on the 'socio-economic aspects of the 240' (now there's a PhD topic!); here's my $0.05:
I suspect that as the nice 240's passed down from the original owners (responsible law-abiding types who got their log books stamped) to their children (mostly responsible law-abiding types who at least did oil changes and rust prevention but eventually tired of the power/weight ratio and bodyroll and got nice new Hondas or Landcruisers on graduation); these 240's still had another 100k left in them and as you know trade in the affordable $500 to $5000 market and being relatively bulletproof and 'ugly-beautiful' (IMHO) nice examples are fetching over $5000 (US readers that's AUD, relax!). So the Bricks keep on rolling and have aquired almost the same cult status in Oz as say, the legendary Adelaide-built Chrysler Valiant. Hence the 'bloody Volvo' has become pretty bloody 'cool' despite power/weight ratio and bodyroll . A Swedish Valiant if you will. Trouble being the interiors and trim are often tired at 250K and some young blokes will stop at nothing to have a nice schmick 240 hence the midnight spares shopping list. Interestingly my perception is that a lot of BBers pride themselves more on a clean flame trap and tranny fluid and couldn't give a toss if the map pockets were busted and the seats had seen better days. Function takes priority over aesthetics. As it is I think I actually prefer the '82 seat I've been lent (lower back and firmer bottom) and I always expected I would be driving the Indobrick to it's grave and being a Sydneysider without a garage it would get scuffed up, so I s'spose I'm not in it for the concourse action or the resale value!
Many thanks for the contact. I'll give your man a bell cause I definitely need the rear seat release handle (Wagoneer tells me it's not such a PITA to fit) and I have a Sis in Adelaide who could pick it up for me.
Cheers and apologies for the waffling post.
Mike
ps did you know there are a couple of Bricks still going strong on The Oodnadatta Track?
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Mike's 'Indobrick' : '88 245 250,000kms; RIP: '84 360GLT 200,000kms.
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