trabitom's Mk1 343 GL Touring

Post by **foggyjames** » 03 Dec 2008 02:56 am

That's awesome, Tom!

I can't believe Volvo ever sold mk1s WITHOUT front spoilers. They just don't look right without them...and SO right with them. The one on my '81 (with the updated bumpers) looks good, but the "Oettinger" one (later sold as R-Sport) is even better with the 78(?)-80 front end with the number plate on the bumper. Am I right in saying that 'S' versions (i.e. with B19) had a different type of front spoiler...almost invisible...which fits over the standard valance?

The rims I have have two types of hub cap, Tom...four have R-Sport caps, the (I'm not telling you how many...

) spares have plain 'Volvo' caps. There aren't enough spares for a second set, sadly

Like the spoiler, these were later sold as R-Sport accessories.

cheers

James

Post by **pistonpen paultje** » 03 Dec 2008 10:03 am

No no! The GLS has a totally different front beam. Its not just a different spoiler. Why they did this? No clue! Spoilers for a GLS are also different.

Without a frontspoiler, a 343 is just an old granny-car. With the spoiler its a compleet transformation. For the people with a MK1: Mount a spoiler! If you cant find any: Use one of a 240/740 and chop it up (that's what i got on my '77...)

Post by **foggyjames** » 04 Dec 2008 03:33 am

Ah, I should probably have guessed that. It's part of the different radiator-support panel, right?

cheers

James

Post by **trabitom99** » 06 Dec 2008 08:35 pm

Picked up my car this afternoon - some pics from the (long) drive home:

Didn't miss a beat, and I love it to bits

Tom

Post by **volvosneverdie** » 06 Dec 2008 08:50 pm

Looks awesome Tom.

Love the Reg as well!

Post by **foggyjames** » 06 Dec 2008 09:31 pm

Epic. I still can't believe what a huge improvement that front spoiler makes!

cheers

James

Post by **mickt** » 06 Dec 2008 10:42 pm

I think this forum is well living up to its name

A cue ..

We are all maniacs now

My oh my someone will be converting a LHD to RHD one day but maybe the panels are not the same on both cars

mickt

Post by **filthyjohn** » 06 Dec 2008 11:26 pm

That thing looks tough. You lucky man Tom.

Post by **foggyjames** » 07 Dec 2008 12:32 am

I'm beginning to wonder if the "R-Sport" rims are made of butter. I know of at least one which was smashed, and the remaining ones replaced with other times...and this car is missing its correct rims...perhaps for the same reason?

cheers

James

Post by **Chris_C** » 07 Dec 2008 01:49 am

That looks awesome! Argh, wish I wasn't feeling the mk1 love atm!

Post by **Fuse** » 07 Dec 2008 02:16 am

foggyjames wrote:I'm beginning to wonder if the "R-Sport" rims are made of butter. I know of at least one which was smashed, and the remaining ones replaced with other times...and this car is missing its correct rims...perhaps for the same reason?

cheers

James

My guess is that those were made out of Magnesium like some special wheels in 200-series.. Light material but not very durable in street use. If I remember correctly the R-Sport rims were made by MoMo. I might be completely wrong though.

Post by **foggyjames** » 07 Dec 2008 02:38 am

I did notice that they are very, very light. They are only 13s, so if I keep the tyres well inflated...?

cheers

James

Post by **Stefan** » 07 Dec 2008 09:03 am

Love that car great pics now i want it front and rear spoilers are mint wonder if i can get me some of them for a future project.

Post by **trabitom99** » 07 Dec 2008 10:14 am

foggyjames wrote:...and this car is missing its correct rims...

Well, it is if you see it as a 343 Oettinger, but then it'd be missing the engine work too

I think the car is on its original wheels, I doubt any of the previous elderly owners would have been in to R-Sport accessories

Volvo Germany did two special edition Mk1 "Touring" versions. There's mine, from the 1980 model year:

and one from 1981 with the wraparound bumpers:

(drool ...) Check out the body colour wheels and rear valance

foggyjames wrote:The rims I have have two types of hub cap, Tom...four have R-Sport caps, the (I'm not telling you how many... ) spares have plain 'Volvo' caps. There aren't enough spares for a second set, sadly Like the spoiler, these were later sold as R-Sport accessories.

Fuse wrote:My guess is that those were made out of Magnesium like some special wheels in 200-series.. Light material but not very durable in street use. If I remember correctly the R-Sport rims were made by MoMo. I might be completely wrong though.

Helge emailed me a pic from the R-Sport catalogue:

Tom

Post by **SteveP** » 07 Dec 2008 12:56 pm

Tom that is fantastic, and I love the pics too... how was the drive home? It looks awesome, just needs some period Volvo alloys