So, as I was shopping around for a 940 sedan, I happened across a fellow selling his 1991 780 with the B230FT. It's a high mileage (>200k) but from the pics he provided, it generally looks quite good for its age, in and out.

Given that it's a redblock and AW71 tranny, does it share a lot of parts with the 760/740 series? I know body, trim, and interior bits can be impossible to find, but are the running gear, electrics, fuel system, mechanicals, etc. relatively interchangeable? I don't mind doing hunting for trim and baubles, or scouring for lenses, etc., but I'd hate to be garaged because a needed part to keep it on the road cannot be found.

I'm going to take it for a drive Monday and see how it handles and sounds. Other than the cosmetics and nivomats, anything in particular I should worry about beyond the usual 740 turbo worries?

Advice on pricing for this? I have seen them run anywhere from 1k to 7k for a 780, so I figure with high mileage but good condition the 2k neighborhood is fair?

Oh, and the one thing I noticed just from the exterior, the front end seems to have some issues. The grill (or the space right behind it) looks odd and the spoiler has that all too common pushed-in look. I have linked a picture here, so if you have ideas, I'd love to hear your advice.

 

the 780 is based on the 760, but is all italian built. the wiring harness is unique.

the engine is virtually the same as a similar vintage 740/940 turbo, but its the IRS rear end of a 760/960 sedan.

I owned a 1989 780 Bertone V6, in beige metallic (gold) and tan leather.... bought new, and crashed 30K miles later.

that was nicest car I ever owned.

 

It is a 760 with the turbo+ package, i.e. 20 extra HPs... So, great Red Block, with the crappy 760/960 climate ECC, IRS, locks, and the worst: pretty hard body/interior/trim to find at reasonable prices, if at all. Interiors are all cracked, dashes especially, which I hate. Chassis was built in Sweden, shipped to Italy, finished, then shipped back to Sweden.

Got rid of the one I had because I just couldn't live with many minor imperfections I couldn't fix easily.

 

I am thinking there may have been rust here and a sloppy repair job over it, not sure exactly what is going on, but it is a mess. Wonder if I can clean this up some ...

 

I went to see and drive that very car 3 weeks ago. It has some dings (roof) and the wind screen has been replaced. But it drives quite well ; good power response, light steering. + : engine, the electronics worked (seats, a/c, radio)
- : bodywork (no rust but impact traces on roof), ripped front seats (as usual)

 

"Impact traces on the roof?" Not good... That definitely would get my attention! 780s are hard enough to deal with to have some extra mystery to worry about.

 

Dust tape? I looked at one a few years back. I offered a good price for it, but the guy wanted more than double. My objections were the body. It had some places that were rusted and then repainted with a brush. Not professional and not $4500 worth of a car. This was at a small used car dealership. The guy was scum. He had some sob story about being cheated out of money with the car. The seats were in good shape, but my 740 Turbo felt way faster. If the guy had given my my price, I would have bought it. I enjoy fixing things. If you get it for a price that you think you can work with and fix right. Go for it. The saddest part about saying no to the car I looked at was knowing only a sucker would buy it and it probably wouldn't get the care it needed.