No disrespect to you or your girlfriend.. but I'm going with 'operator error'... You're fouling spark plugs, and that's an incredibly easy thing to do when using chokes on SU carbs on a cold morning. And some cars worse than others.

Start by checking points and all that stuff... then replace plugs. Try using a little less choke on those cold mornings. And when it does start.. Do not let it die until it's warmed up.

THat your idle wanders so much leads me to believe your carbs are not properly adjusted, or need work other than adjustment.

But the bottom line is that you're fouling plugs. When it does start, it's un-fouling them after it warms up. Best to buy a new set or two, and have the tools handy to change them out next time this happens. And new plugs can foul real quick as well, so maybe get two sets. drying plugs does not necessarily un-foul them. It usually does not. They need to be properly cleaned... burn them with a torch, wire brush the black stuff off, and scrap the enamel center thoroughly and as deep as you can (dental instrument probably best). Even that does not always work.

Good luck with it.. and again, no disrespect. I've done it myself hundreds of times on dozens of Volvos and other SU equipped cars.

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂