Hi everyone,

I'm in Essex and have acquired a red 340. It was my grandparents who now only use a Volvo V40, and it's been sitting stationary for 8 months or so. I've done some work on it, a little rust repair and a new stereo and speakers, but in the next few weeks it's coming home.

The only really dissapointing thing is that it's red, and although the rest of the car has come up really well, the bonnet is still very faded. Not orange, but Pink. Anyone else experienced this problem? It's had so many coats of colour restorer and polish too

I've built an on-board computer for it, which has MP3 player, radio, GPS, etc and I'm just waiting for the screen now! I hope to get some more pictures on asap.

I should mention I can drive, but haven't got round to booking a test yet!

Having a 340 is amazing, it is so comfortable and solid. Also, when everyone at work has just been bought new Ford KA's by their parents, mentioning that you have heated seats is a point scorer

James

'Au up Jimmy boy! Welcome to the forums, mate. Nice looking little number that, shame about the fading etc. My red bonnet was pretty faded before, a good solid polish usually does the trick, as can be seen below:



Sorry about bandwidth Aymat

What model is it? Just a straight 300?

Drools!! That's what I hope to get to, one day. I bought some 340 brochures on eBay and they look really smart, just like yours! Even the bumpers are black!

It's a straight 300. I was somewhat bemused that it has no rev counter, but heated seats!

Welcome! Get yourself a rev counter...it a direct drop-in, no wiring needed! Let me know if you want me to find you one...

cheers

James

foggyjames wrote:Welcome! Get yourself a rev counter...it a direct drop-in, no wiring needed! Let me know if you want me to find you one...

cheers

James

How does that work exactly? I've seen a few which are add-ons which would be held on the pillar etc.

If you don't mind, or know where I might be able to find one that would be great!

Cheers

James

it goes where your clock is. somewhere i put details of someone breaking a 360 - phone him and he can sort you out with a rev counter to go there instead

I'll get you a rev counter and (small replacement) clock tomorrow. Consider it a welcoming present!

cheers

James

had the same problem with my old glt.
furniture polish works brilliantly, although doesn't last very long

A bonnet respray shouldn't cost the earth, and would sort it once and for all. I'd say its worth paying for a decent job though...most of the crappy paint on my car is courtesy of incompetant paint people in the past.

cheers

James

actually, it'd be about £200 in total. ouch! cheaper just to get a new bonnet tbh.

We just paid sub £400 to have half a V40 resprayed, and its an amazing job (literally the best non-factory - and not stupidly expensive - paintwork I've seen), so I doubt a bonnet in flat white would be that bad?! Although I guess the expensive part is starting the job....extras cost less! I'd hope to be able to get it nearer £100 than £200. A clean scrap bonnet would be cheaper, agreed.

cheers

James

cost of respraying a new bonnet for a polo i hit was £350 inc paint + labour - a mate of mine paid over £1200 to get his mini comlpetely resprayed (which didnt involve any colour matching). do it yerself for a tenner of paint from 'alfords

Can I hear an 'insurance con job'? £350? Crikey! I hope that was including the new bonnet....even so that's expensive.

Yeah, to be honest, it's probably worth a try with rattle cans...although I'd drop £25 into getting two sets from Volvo. It might be cheaper since yours isn't metallic. Their paint is *great* quality.

cheers

James

A mate of mine has his 740's bonnet and bootlid resprayed (in charcoal grey metallic) at a place locally to me and was charged £130. The job is superb and matched beautifully. The guy is an old pro and I've seen him at work with before, during and after views of cars and can honestly say that I'd use him if I ever need to.