My 340 Saloon

[Minibuzz]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd introduce myself since I've been lurking here for a while reading some of the tech topics and using the classified ads! My name is Chris and I live in Warwickshire / Herefordshire and I have a 1989 340 Saloon. I've owned it since May this year and bought it totally standard. Since then I've focused on trying to tidy it up as best I can with a few small changes here and there. I have added a set of BMW 15" BBS wheels, replaced one of the cracked headlights and done the usual blacking of the headlights and grille. The rest has just been getting the car clean and tidy, replacing the speedo cable for a new one and other niggles.

The car has been my daily driver since I bought it and I've already added 8,000 miles to it in the last 6 months - it's been all over and never let me down yet! The car is really clean and tidy, it had been fully undersealed and waxoiled and doesn't appear to have ever been welded. Anyway a couple of pictures for you guys:

[trabitom99]

That car looks really solid - good find!

Cheers

Tom

[Ride_on]

Looks pretty factory fresh, even the headlight wiper arms look new. Has it been shrink wrapped for 25 years?

[Minibuzz]

Thanks guys!

Ride_on - certainly seems in good condition! I'm planning to get it even tidier in my ownership if possible

[SteveP]

Looks really nice Needs an inch or two lowering with the new wheels and it'll look perfect GLT spec suspension perhaps?

[Minibuzz]

Thanks Steve, I'm desperate to lower it but I'm attempting to hold off until I get my first year's NCB - that way I can look into modified car insurance!

What do you mean by GLT suspension? Is that different from my GL suspension?

[SteveP]

Don't blame you - especially if your insurance company is picky about modifications!

GLT's were a bit lower and a bit stiffer - different leafs/coil springs mainly - you'd achieve the same with some lowering springs and lowering blocks on the GL

Did this car come from Derbshire/Nottinghamshire way? I think I remember directing a friend to go and buy it but it quickly sold.

[360beast]

I was looking at this with envy at Retro Rides, I can say it looks even better in real life and I couldn't see anything wrong with it! Absolutely stunning 360

[SteveP]

Absolutely stunning 360

Take another look

[360beast]

Absolutely stunning 360

Take another look

don't know why I put 360!

[Minibuzz]

Ah I didn't know that Steve, every day is a school day! I do plan on getting some lowering springs and blocks, but first I want to make sure I get niggles like the transmission mounts sorted and the like (they feel rather worn). It come from Nottingham and was originally from the Derby area. In fact it still has the 'Speeds Volvo' sticker in the rear window as well as the original dealer plates and keyring (unfortunately faded). I did snap it up - had been looking for a good 300 series for a few months so went to see it the day after it was listed!

360 Beast - thanks very much! As with any car 25 years old it does have little bits and pieces, I'm trying to work on those while I can't modify it and get it as minty as I can! Unfortunately I only got to look round one Volvo at RR and that was Jon's drifter - the Mrs was complaining at me

[Roge1]

Hi there,

Great looking saloon, hope you've still got and it's running fine. Out of interest, how did you 'black' the headlights? And how adversely has it affected the light they now produce?

Thanks

Roge1

[Minibuzz]

I have indeed, just last weekend I finished the clutch change and refresh I was doing over winter and got it back on the road

With the headlights, it doesn't affect light output at all - it's basically just spraying the inside of the plastic 'buckets' black and then putting the reflectors back in. If anything my light output is much better as I gave the lenses and reflectors a good clean and sealed them back together to prevent water getting in again.