Ok Guys, These don't come by the PYP every day - but we have up for sale a 1978 242 GT - it's a real one and apparently a one owner car. Pat Finn gave me a call when it came it (good to know guys at the PYP). The previous owner has MS and needed to sell the car - it has sat for 5ish years and that shows as it is pretty dirty from sitting (cobwebs, leaves etc). It has not been started and doesn't have a battery so Greg and I couldn't give it a try.

The good:

The body appears to be rust free. There is some very slight bubbling on the passenger side rear quarter and I suspect the drivers side has seen some bondo (no bubbling).

The car has had a lower half re-spray.

The interior is very good (one small hole in the drivers seat) - but the seats are very firm, carpets are good.

Windshield is in good shape (one stone chip) - needs a new gasket.

The car has 113 000 KM - yes that's right 113 000 KM.

Transmission is very tight.

The bushings appear fine - no clunking.

All the details are right (steering wheel, air dam, wheels etc).

Hood/grille is perfect - no cracks around fog lights.

The bad,

Cobwebs and leaves etc everywhere (door jambs, underhood etc). Nothing a good clean couldn't clean up.

It hasn't seen life in a long time - unknown running condition.

We couldn't get the trunk open (adjustment issue - apparently it was opened recently and was clean). Could be things lurking there.

One dent on the cowl panel by the passenger door - some rust there on the surface.

Both front fenders have small dents (not noticeable from 5 feet away).

Hub cap centres are all bad, but present.

Dash has usual cracks.

Price: $500

I would take this car in a flash as the body is potentially more solid than my 242 (which is very good). I wouldn't post this if I thought it was junk - but if it does end up in the yard Greg and I are committed to stripping the car.

I think this is an excellent car for someone looking for a 242.

damn. somebody buy this!

Going Tuesday at opening hour on the dot.

Well, after a couple of hours of farting around Tuesday (many thanks to Craig) we determined 2 things. One that this car will not start due to some sort of a fuel issue but that the engine turns over fine and looks to be in pretty decent shape otherwise, two when the wind is howling at around zero it's still fawking COLD!!! A check on the title show it's an Alberta car with an active status, so no OOP or rebuild/salvage issues to deal with.

Went back yesterday and for $450, including towing, I am now the proud owner of a fairly clean albeit non-running 1978 242GT. This was also one of those it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission events and I must say that the SU took the new arrival reasonably well... It was more of a "are you completely insane" reaction (duh, YES). This was followed by a desperate plea to PLEASE get rid of some other vehicles and to not bring any more home. I'll post a pic or two when I get around to it.

YES!

I was wondering how you were going to break it to your wife...mine would have done the same. Volvo collecting is like saving lost dogs in this part of the world. Now to jump the fuel pumps and see if you can get it going.

All's well, now that the initial shock has worn off she's really in to the car with help from my youngest daughter who is getting to be quite the Volvo aficionado as well. I think she was expecting it to cost allot more, although I really do need to strip/crush the turbo beater and get to work on selling my truck to make some room around here.

convert to lh 2.2 +t?

STOP THE INSANITY!!!!


Ok, I have to admit that I have already been searching tbrix for threads on doing the b230ft swap in to a 240. Completely way over my head, just pulling the motor out of the turbo beater would be a first, that and I am already wrestling with the moral dilemma of restoring and keeping it all original vs driving a "GT" car with a 107 HP engine. I tend to be a traditionalist so my first thought is stay original because it was a special/limited edition car. I know on tbrix that sentiment is in the minority with most peoples impression of a GT is that it's a slow 240 with stripes and sway bars so just rod the shit out of it. If it was a run of the mill 242DL I would say go for it, for a pretty solid GT I'm not so sure...

The swap ain't that bad Jim, and you would be pleased with the results- I sure was! If you need any advice or opinions, I swapped LH into my 242. After playing with k-jet for a number of years I liked LH better, much less finicky.

Having the donor car sitting there makes this even easier to do...

Easier being a relative term...

Here's a few shots as is, needs a real good cleaning but very little rust for a 78 240.

That looks great!!

I love the look of these with the foglight grille and air dam. Always liked those wheels, too. The only thing I think that (in my opinion) spoils it for the GT model is the fact they were silver (boooring!). Even 'GT' Volvo sounds soo good!

Looks very good, nice find
Having Pat work at the PnP in LA will be a real bonus for the group.

very nice buy, i love those wheels too!