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145/Amazon Rescue Operation - Saving Seven Volvos From the Crusher

Last edited:
Scaramanga said:
C´mon, we want more!
Click to expand...
As you wish...


July 5, 2023 - "Crashed `71," the California White on Teal 1971 Volvo 145S

Here were some initial photos and impressions of the `71 California White 145S when it arrived:

The front end was crunchy, but honestly didn't look all that bad - definitely repairable. Looked like a good amount of the leaves and dirt blew away on the car's 50-mile delivery at 80mph. The engine bay had moisture/sun damage, but nothing too difficult to overcome.
https://imgur.com/d59QE3y
https://imgur.com/bBJw911
https://imgur.com/jHIlX4q

At the back of the car, the tailgate was missing its handle and latching mechanisms, so it sorta worked that there was a tree growing through the back bumper, lol.
https://imgur.com/qJtPxHl
https://imgur.com/vyilqlI
https://imgur.com/siW1I2I

The interior was yucky. The front seats were from a 240, but the rest of the teal interior was intact.
https://imgur.com/43K3BaB
https://imgur.com/5D1LG7s

And great news! I found the ignition key on the passenger floorboard.

I can't believe this thing had a clean title... crazy.
 
July 7, 2023 - "Crashed `71," the California White on Teal 1971 Volvo 145S

First thing I did was vacuum the engine bay.
https://imgur.com/iKaOFW3
https://imgur.com/23POhZH
https://imgur.com/QLQB7JY

Once I uncovered the dipstick, I was able to check the oil; color was dark, but no moisture! Considering the car had been outdoors with no hood, it was a nice surprise. I pulled the spark plugs to confirm - honestly not bad. Since I had the plugs out, I poured some Marvel Mystery Oil down the cylinders to sit for a couple weeks before any attempts to start the car.
https://imgur.com/xkC7zFA

I needed to sort out some wiring, but with multiple other 140's to reference, I wasn't worried.
https://imgur.com/cxtqpcb
https://imgur.com/UUEaFQA
 
July 14, 2023 - "Green Bean," the 1973 Volvo 145

On July 14th, I received the `73 and decided to name it "The Green Bean." First impressions: I didn't realize it at first, but the front of the car was pretty banged up. In addition to the buckled hood, there were dents in both front fenders and the radiator support. Luckily, it was hidden behind the big bumper (at least it's not a massive `74 bumper). Unfortunately, one of the welds on the front bumper failed, so it was loosey-goosey.
https://imgur.com/lp4biRR
https://imgur.com/x6gqnlb
https://imgur.com/nGynpBn

The interior of the car, while dirty, was in good shape. I noticed that the tripmeter was set on all zeros, so I’m assuming the odometer tooth is bad from resetting the tripmeter while the car was in motion… likely has way more than 79k.
https://imgur.com/DYFwrtf
https://imgur.com/p56N7K7

Engine bay was incomplete. Lots of D-Jet parts missing.
https://imgur.com/QdxkcTc

The rear of the car was alright, nothing special. Bad bumper trim and the tailgate didn’t latch.
https://imgur.com/1Z97J7c
https://imgur.com/cr4esXf

I didn’t notice it till the car was home, but the rockers were shot.
https://imgur.com/88IRpPN

Brake caliper was also dragging, so the car was tough to roll.
https://imgur.com/Ws4i6fz
 
July 16, 2023 - "Turquoise `71," the Color Code 104 `71 Volvo 145S

When the turquoise 145 was plopped off, I really began having the "what did I get myself into" thoughts... I mean look at it. Neighbors weren't particularly thrilled. Anyway, getting the Volvo off the trailer proved pretty difficult, since the car was missing its rear springs and didn't have a steering wheel. Luckily, the tires are skinny enough to wrangle on these, and some help from a floor jack kept the rear from dragging on the trailer.
https://imgur.com/RNK78nM

As cool as the color was, the car looked terrible. Plus, it had absolutely zero ownership documents.

Some items I noted as missing:
-Ownership documents.
-Headlight.
-Turn signal lens.
-Mirror.
-Taillight lens.
-Most of the exhaust.
-Dashboard, including all knobs, switches, and the instrument cluster.
-Steering wheel.
-Steering column.
-Ignition.
-All keys.
-Parts of the pedal box.
-Rear springs.
-Alternator.
-Engine bay wiring harness.
-Dashboard wiring harness.
-Engine mounts.
-Shift boot.
-Shift knob.
-Rear wiper.

In short, the poor old car was a basket case.

https://imgur.com/HBnt9r8
https://imgur.com/qO0fpUr
https://imgur.com/iSWjvGL
https://imgur.com/99JbjUl
 
July 16, 2023 - "Blue Seventy Two," the 1972 Volvo 145E

The same day as the turquoise 145, the blue `72 was dropped off. Getting the car out of its grave turned out to be quite the fiasco; the tree did NOT want to let go! Additionally, the car was missing its steering box and some of the steering linkages, so the wheels were turning independently of each other.
https://imgur.com/iwnCpPm
https://imgur.com/aMxIhdL

Because of the whole "no steering box or linkages thing," getting the car aimed and off the trailer was a bit of task. The hood was completely seized in its open position, so it was simply transported backwards with the hood up.
https://imgur.com/LxGJItB

Quickly compiled list of missing components:
-All ownership documents.
-Headlights.
-Steering box.
-Some of the steering components.
-Some of the D-Jet.
-Instrument cluster.
-Radio.
-Miscellaneous knobs and switches.
-Front seats.
-Back seat.
-Door card.

https://imgur.com/pq1sWi2
https://imgur.com/RZr1Yyq
https://imgur.com/Q8CrfST
 
July 16, 2023 - "Turquoise `71," the Color Code 104 `71 Volvo 145S, & "Blue Seventy Two," the 1972 Volvo 145E

Once the turquoise `71 and the blue `72 were dropped off, I immediately pulled out the pressure washer to help make them slightly more bearable for the neighborhood. I was SUUUUPER glad I didn't have an HOA, lol.
https://imgur.com/2xWLzRI
https://imgur.com/A1TJysd
https://imgur.com/Bqy3ZmJ
https://imgur.com/KtyQh75

Before washing the blue ‘72, I removed the hood hinges to let the hood lay flat.
https://imgur.com/a/OYfnODA
https://imgur.com/Amcjf1B
https://imgur.com/yxohRPi
https://imgur.com/cH6WmUW

 
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With amazing timing, the junkyard received a 1970 Volvo 144S, right when I was needing parts for my wagons. I was bummed to see a relatively nice example of a 144 hit the yard, but I was able to strip the car down for my wagons over a couple weeks of buzzing back and forth in my little Nissan Hardbody.
https://imgur.com/a/mMjMKRz
https://imgur.com/a/cxb0UN3
https://imgur.com/a/Av7obbH
https://imgur.com/a/sueOtmk

One of these things is not like the other.
https://imgur.com/a/YDTLbxU

While I was out and about, I took a look at a 1971 Volvo 145S for sale. It ended up with a good home in northern Idaho.
https://imgur.com/a/OUiUR82
 
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The turquoise car reminds me of one of Redwood Chair's old wagons, he called it seafoam but I think it was the same shade. I would do unspeakable things for one... nice find!
 
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