Hi All,
Steve here from southeast AZ.
I've acquired another Volvo wagon.
This one is a '92 originally purchased in Phoenix.
The previous owner rear ended a tall truck and the right front fender, hood, and radiator core support are damaged. The rest of the car is in rather good condition. It sat for 2 years after the accident and I drove it home (250 miles) without issue. I only added fresh fuel, a battery, and checked the fluids.

I also have a 1993 Volvo wagon that had the left rear quarter panel side swiped as it sat parked in front the the owner's house one night.
I have a replacement quarter panel for that car.

Both the '92 & '93 are the same color silver as my daily driver '89 wagon.
Both run decent (could use tune ups), have good compression, are 4 speed automatics, steer, drive, and stop well. Being in southeast the bodies are solid with no rust. Interiors are in nice condition.

I've debated either:
1) Selling both the '92 & 93 as is, to someone seeking a rather easy repair / rebuild / restoration of classic Volvo wagons
2) Using the parts off one to repair the other
3) Repairing both and selling each

I guess I'd ask you input at this point...am I missing something? an option, or opportunity?
What would you do and why?
Thanks,

 

Let's see what it looks like.

 

This is a link to my shared Volvo pictures on Photo bucket: might have to copy and paste. Photo Bucket is sure chunky these days. I tried to rotate some pictures and it just said it didn't work, please try again....
What is the photo hosting site of choice these days?

http://s203.photobucket.com/user/Xoloski/library/Volvo

 

Both cars need a fair amount of work and are not commercially viable, i.e, if you go to a shop it will be thousands and the finished products won't be worth what you paid. If you do the work yourself, then OK, IF you are skilled at body shop and paint. Unfortunately the damage is not fixable just by swapping parts...

 

Correct, one can't just swap parts out.
My auto-body guy that I trade things with said $800 to replace the quarter panel on the '93

The fender/hood/radiator support of the '92 seems like an easier fix.
If I am not mistaken, the fender unbolts. the Inner Fender needs to be straightened or replaced, the hood unbolts, and the radiator support both has bolts and spot welds.

By "commercially viable" are you saying "not worth the time/expense to repair" for resale purposes? Should be parted out?

 

I mean if you had a shop do the work, the price you will end up paying will be more than what the finished cars are worth. Both these cars would be considered "total loss", looking at the pictures. If you do the work yourself, it's different, what's your time worth? Only you can decide.

 

Wow, I am surprised that the '92 would be considered totaled.
The '93 I can understand because of the rear quarter panel.
Curious to see what others on this site think too...
It's not like their are 1,000's of rust free 240's out there, especially '93's that they shouldn't be a candidate for restoration...

 

These days with the price of body work, it takes very little to total a 20+ year old car. Go on Copart or IAAI and see.

 

How many miles are on them?

Build one good car if you can and sell it, part out the other, be sure to mention the accident/repairs to any buyers. I might want a few parts myself.

 

Mileage on each is around 225000, which is nothing for a red brick Volvo engine.

 

I understand the insurance company side of the situation, they don't want to spend any money, they have no understanding or respect for the classic Volvo.
Hell, these guys would just as soon scrap a '68 Mustang Shelby GT 350 because it needed a bumper than have to pay for the bumper...

I mean, Volvo 240's [although not in the same class as a '68 Mustang Shelby GT 350] have classic value, not to mention the growing cult following of mostly engineers and persons of professional backgrounds. We are not talking about VW beetles or '64 1/2 mustangs here, this car is a true mechanical marvel for it's day... deserving of respect.

 

225000 mile 20-25 yr old volvos in absolutely cherry shape aren't worth much over $2000

 

Obviously we all love old Volvos here--I save a lot of 940/740, great cars, no doubt! But, as much as people talk them up when it comes to selling them, even here in the Northwest where I am now, a great Volvo can be had for under $3K, and I mean a special case, "nice"! A car with over 200k on the clock just doesn't bring much, including 240s... Sad but true.

 

I often check craigslist in ohio for 2/7/9 Volvo's. The sale ads that stay up the longest are those that ask for at least $2000. Those ads priced at 1500 and less usually disappear. Less than 1000 and they get deleted quick.

I bought my first redblock in 2012 for 1200. I've spent another 3600 for 3 more.

They don't seem to be as numerous as they were a few years ago.

Most people just don't want a 20 year old car.