Garage - The Vo
brickman_Matt
December 29, 2014
Year:
1989
Make:
Volvo
Model:
740
Trim:
GL
Vehicle nickname:
The Vo
Generation:
1
Current odometer reading:
185
Dealership name:
Farrell Volvo
Driving Environment:
rural
Transmission:
auto
2WD/4WD:
2WD
How fast do you drive?:
10
Highway / City %:
20
Tracking started on:
0000-00-00 00:00:00with 173 miles on the odometer
Tell the world a little bit about your vehicle
I am the third owner of this nice 1989 740 GL sedan. Got the car for $700 off craigslist, drove it home 50 miles with a transmission on it's last legs, 2 blown shocks, lousy brakes, water soaked carpets, and bald tires. How did I not notice any of those things on the test drive? lol But it got me home safely. I guess when you really love a car you can be blind to some of its issues. I had my heart set on a 1982 style pre facelift 740, with the quad sealed beam headlights, lots of chrome like a 760, and that very 80s blue interior. There is some light body damage which I've worked on/touched up but is still visible, just gotten used to it. Old person backing into (instead of out of) the garage, plus crazy teenage drivers, equals plenty of battle scars, so considering the abuse it's taken it still looks remarkably good. I changed the wheel covers out but other than that the exterior is all stock. The B230F runs like new, the transmission shifts decent now after rebuild, and I'm getting 27 mpg average. Since I bought it for a reliable no nonsense daily driver, and still use it as such, no crazy mods. It now drives like a good stock 740 should, not like the death trap I drove home. :) I'm still glad I could save it from the crusher/more abuse and keep it on the road, in the end that makes it all worthwhile. I kind of wish it was manual but I can live with the auto. There have been a few gremlins with the car such as overdrive failure, water leaking in to the car through a plastic vent, radio working intermittently, and funky gauges, but thanks to this forum and SwedishBricks I was able to diagnose and fix all the problems, most of which are fairly common with 740s. I hear people complain all the time about the lack of power with the B230 engine but this one is peppy, probably one of the strongest non turbos I've driven (comparing to 240s/940s.)
I've learned a lot about cars from working on this old beast and I still enjoy driving it every day. However, I've always wanted a 960 and would like to sell this car in the spring, so I can buy a '94-'97 960 sedan. I wish I could keep it but I just can't afford to. Keep your eyes peeled for this car if you're interested, I will likely post on this forum before I do anywhere else. After all the work I've put in to it I would love to see the car go to an enthusiast who can really appreciate it.
Engine/Drivetrain Modifications:
All stock B230F/AW70
Tranny is original but rebuilt
Suspension Modifications:
KYB GR-2 Shocks/Struts
Wheels/Tires Modifications:
Stock 15" steelies with aftermarket OEM style wheel covers
Yokohama Avid Touring S Tires 185/65/R15
Interior/Exterior Modifications:
Interior:
Dash Designs dash cover
iPD door pocket covers
760 door pillar trim
Exterior:
Sylvania SilverStar halogen headlights
Future Modifications:
760 door trim/mirrors?
Manual swap
Exhaust
60 foot:
0.000 seconds
1989
Make:
Volvo
Model:
740
Trim:
GL
Vehicle nickname:
The Vo
Generation:
1
Current odometer reading:
185
Dealership name:
Farrell Volvo
Driving Environment:
rural
Transmission:
auto
2WD/4WD:
2WD
How fast do you drive?:
10
Highway / City %:
20
Tracking started on:
0000-00-00 00:00:00with 173 miles on the odometer
Tell the world a little bit about your vehicle
I am the third owner of this nice 1989 740 GL sedan. Got the car for $700 off craigslist, drove it home 50 miles with a transmission on it's last legs, 2 blown shocks, lousy brakes, water soaked carpets, and bald tires. How did I not notice any of those things on the test drive? lol But it got me home safely. I guess when you really love a car you can be blind to some of its issues. I had my heart set on a 1982 style pre facelift 740, with the quad sealed beam headlights, lots of chrome like a 760, and that very 80s blue interior. There is some light body damage which I've worked on/touched up but is still visible, just gotten used to it. Old person backing into (instead of out of) the garage, plus crazy teenage drivers, equals plenty of battle scars, so considering the abuse it's taken it still looks remarkably good. I changed the wheel covers out but other than that the exterior is all stock. The B230F runs like new, the transmission shifts decent now after rebuild, and I'm getting 27 mpg average. Since I bought it for a reliable no nonsense daily driver, and still use it as such, no crazy mods. It now drives like a good stock 740 should, not like the death trap I drove home. :) I'm still glad I could save it from the crusher/more abuse and keep it on the road, in the end that makes it all worthwhile. I kind of wish it was manual but I can live with the auto. There have been a few gremlins with the car such as overdrive failure, water leaking in to the car through a plastic vent, radio working intermittently, and funky gauges, but thanks to this forum and SwedishBricks I was able to diagnose and fix all the problems, most of which are fairly common with 740s. I hear people complain all the time about the lack of power with the B230 engine but this one is peppy, probably one of the strongest non turbos I've driven (comparing to 240s/940s.)
I've learned a lot about cars from working on this old beast and I still enjoy driving it every day. However, I've always wanted a 960 and would like to sell this car in the spring, so I can buy a '94-'97 960 sedan. I wish I could keep it but I just can't afford to. Keep your eyes peeled for this car if you're interested, I will likely post on this forum before I do anywhere else. After all the work I've put in to it I would love to see the car go to an enthusiast who can really appreciate it.
Engine/Drivetrain Modifications:
All stock B230F/AW70
Tranny is original but rebuilt
Suspension Modifications:
KYB GR-2 Shocks/Struts
Wheels/Tires Modifications:
Stock 15" steelies with aftermarket OEM style wheel covers
Yokohama Avid Touring S Tires 185/65/R15
Interior/Exterior Modifications:
Interior:
Dash Designs dash cover
iPD door pocket covers
760 door pillar trim
Exterior:
Sylvania SilverStar halogen headlights
Future Modifications:
760 door trim/mirrors?
Manual swap
Exhaust
60 foot:
0.000 seconds
