Another Volvo?
Posted by: George Fredrik on 24 October 2012
This is the last photo of my by then twenty one year old Volvo 240 DL, which I had owned for eleven years at the time, and done a remarkably small mileage on!
I am wondering whether to get another of type [and similar chassis], but much older, as this simplifies maintenance All you need is a feel for it, a set of spanners, some good screw drivers, and some metric Allen Keys, to keep such a motor completely smooth and reliable. Oh and some basics like a good supply of ignition components, which are blessedly cheap.
Here is what I have in mind. an Amazon!
Obviously not a very cheap motor on petrol as it would be only about two thirds as good the 240, but ultra cheap on insurance, and zero rated on Road Fund Tax, as well as being rewarding to drive and use!
And a car that would be strong enough to drive to Norway or Poland without fear of melt-down ...
ATB from George
George,
I used to get a lift to and from school in Sevenoaks in a blue one of those Volvo's in 1966/7/8 a few times a week.
Also in a silver and blue Rolls Silver Cloud.
The cloud died many years before the Volvo.
Stu.
The Volvo was still running on the road in the late 80s and was sold with a MOT.
The Cloud ended up as a fun car to drive round a field,
I think we even used to put Diesel in it.
Or at least very very cheap petrol. 
Stu.
Don't do it, George.
And what is with the goofy English habit of parking on the wrong side of the road (as illustrated by at least one of the cars in this picture)? I've never seen it anywhere else in the world.
George,
being a bona fide classic and also eligible for some historic events, the Amazon is no longer such a cheap and practical classic car. You may get lucky, but alternatively an Amazon that needs work could turn into a frustrating money pit.
A Swedish alternative that is on the cusp of becoming a classic car is the Saab 99/900. The original 99 Turbo is already there and prices have risen accordingly. However, the 900 is still accessible. The best examples are rising in price but there are still plenty around for reasonable money.
A few interesting facts about the 99/900;
It was substantially handmade. Saab most likely lost money on every one. The bonnet alone took more time to make than the entire car of its successor, the GM based 900.
The shell was made so strong, it didn't require a rollcage for some competitions.
Despite an effective marketing campaign, the Saab 99/900 shared nothing with the Saab fighter aircraft (but it's easy to convince yourself otherwise from behind the wheel)...
I still miss my own 900 S16 Aero. It had great character (and I mean that in a good way - not the broken down on the hard shoulder on a rainy evening kind of character) was immensely comfortable for my tall frame, covered a huge mileage without issue (when I sold mine it had done 275,000 miles and the local Saab dealership said it was still "running in"), and could swallow enormous loads with ease. The looks are a wonderful combination of weird, ugly and beautiful. I still get pangs whenever I see one on the road.
George,
being a bona fide classic and also eligible for some historic events, the Amazon is no longer such a cheap and practical classic car. You may get lucky, but alternatively an Amazon that needs work could turn into a frustrating money pit.
A Swedish alternative that is on the cusp of becoming a classic car is the Saab 99/900. The original 99 Turbo is already there and prices have risen accordingly. However, the 900 is still accessible. The best examples are rising in price but there are still plenty around for reasonable money.
A few interesting facts about the 99/900;
It was substantially handmade. Saab most likely lost money on every one. The bonnet alone took more time to make than the entire car of its successor, the GM based 900.
The shell was made so strong, it didn't require a rollcage for some competitions.
Despite an effective marketing campaign, the Saab 99/900 shared nothing with the Saab fighter aircraft (but it's easy to convince yourself otherwise from behind the wheel)...
I still miss my own 900 S16 Aero. It had great character (and I mean that in a good way - not the broken down on the hard shoulder on a rainy evening kind of character) was immensely comfortable for my tall frame, covered a huge mileage without issue (when I sold mine it had done 275,000 miles and the local Saab dealership said it was still "running in"), and could swallow enormous loads with ease. The looks are a wonderful combination of weird, ugly and beautiful. I still get pangs whenever I see one on the road.
Richard, i am with you on this one. The Saab 99 / 900 is a beauty and has become iconic in its own lifetime.
It is generally considered as an "architects car", as this group of people appreciate the form of the design
Don't do it, George.
And what is with the goofy English habit of parking on the wrong side of the road (as illustrated by at least one of the cars in this picture)? I've never seen it anywhere else in the world.
Might be something to do with not creating a slalom course for other drivers? Our roads are often narrow, and parking on both sides, as some inconsiderate people do, creates problems - especially for buses and the like.
Dear George,
What about this Volvo - one careful driver apparently
All the best, Guy
Don't do it, George.
And what is with the goofy English habit of parking on the wrong side of the road (as illustrated by at least one of the cars in this picture)? I've never seen it anywhere else in the world.
Might be something to do with not creating a slalom course for other drivers? Our roads are often narrow, and parking on both sides, as some inconsiderate people do, creates problems - especially for buses and the like.
No, I mean parking facing the oncoming traffic. It happens an all sorts of streets. Having one side of the street as "no parking" doesn't force anyone to park facing the wrong way - they just have to turn around. Like I said, the UK (England specifically) is the only place I have ever seen this wrong-way parking accepted as common practice.