Hello Everyone,

A friend of mine and I have noticed that the 140 series has become a rare model in the Seattle area, particularly compared to the 122 and 544, both of which seem to have made a mild resurgence. Sure, we both migrated to the 122 after owning 140's, but now we really miss our now 140's and want to go back. Has anyone else observed this phenomenon in other parts of the country? I think that the 140's, since they share or have upgraded components, were probably sacrificed for 122's and 544's. If this is true, I hope that those whom made a habit (and profit) of robbing the 140 to feed the 122 realize that the former seems to be a rare model now and ceases this practice. Thoughts?

(Any one have a decent 1968-1971 142S with a manual transmission they are willing to part with)

Colin

Somehow I managed to end up with two of them and enjoy them a lot. That being said, I'd love to trade one for an early 164 in comparable condition. That way I'd achieve my wacko VolvoHead goal of having one of each body style between '58 and '78.

It's funny- I drive my 122 wagon around as much as my '70 142 in the winter and I get just as many looks and comments on the 142. Kinda nice!

Jim
--
'58 PV444
'66 1800S
'67 122S Estate
'70 142S
'72 142E
'78 242GT
All are pretty and run except the '78 The irony!
http://www.olddeadvolvos.com

Here is a nice one in NC. check out the pics of other Volvos in the garage

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___Nice-142S-2-door_W0QQitemZ170297960661QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item170297960661&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
--
Antique Swedish Steel 71 142E color V#102

The 140 series is refered to by many as the "forgotten Volvo." Those of you who regard them as a daily driver meant to last are right on the money. This was the "11 year car," as marketed by Volvo. Basically Volvo guaranteed this model to be the only one out there that would go 11 years w/ just regular maintenance.
For the time, this was a rather risky move. How many people actually owned a vehicle that didn't need major work after 5 years? I think all in all, the car lived up to the standards set, if maintained at the proper intervals and not abused. The problem was that most people who bought them were in the "middle-age" range, and by that I mean mid to late 30's and up. Forgive me if I offend anyone with that comment. That being said, either the cars were driven and driven, finally succumbing to the eventual body rot or barely driven, sitting most of the time, thus rotting as well. At least that's what I've seen from my experiences with this model.
Further, Volvophiles of the time were still driving the 120, 540/210, 1800 models, and then the 160's, which were much more comfortable than the 140, so the 140 was overlooked as it was a transition model, setting the scene for the major safety and design advancements of the 240 (with the exception of the blower motor!!!!)
I'm partial to the pre '73 140, as the earlier designs were much simpler and so much easier to maintain and repair, albeit, the heating systems were a tiny bit weak.
5 or 6 years ago, I bought my first 140, a '71 4-door, auto, with only 54k original miles, and a one owner car. Unfortunately it has some valve issues from sitting for a little too long and I ended up having to replace a few of them as well as some lifters and rods. Worse, the SU's were shot. The car has next to no rust, perfect interior and extremely clean as it was stored in a carport. It was my first project of the model and I made all the mistakes, like putting a Weber DGV on it instead of just getting a refreshed set of Su's, and trying to improve upon the exhaust system.....and just not knowing enough about the car, in general to know exactly what I should do.
Well, now I've got 7 140's, not including a '73 I completely chopped up into pieces to use as replacement metal and assorted parts.
I've got a '70 145s, '71 145s, '71 144s, '72 144e, '72 142s (had been an e model, w/ auto, but now it's an s mod w/ m41 and a ported head w/ double valves and shaved down to get a 10.5ish/1 ratio. It's nice and 25mpg is ok as well, '74 142gl, '74 144gl. Not all are drivable as they have various maladays, but all in the process. You could say I'm a complete nut w/ these cars, but I love them and scour around and am buying parts when I can.
I've figured things out like you can stuff a GM 10si, 3 wire alternator internals and back into the front of the original motorola front casing, and use a slightly modified version of the original bracket or make a custom one, change nothing on the block mount, and end up w/ a 92amp power plant for $60 and a new, shorter belt.
So, I digress, but they are becoming rare and that's why I constantly scour for parts. These cars are still out there and can be had for very reasonable to absurdly cheap prices. For how long, I don't know.
I figure, very soon, I will have a complete fleet of these cars as daily drivers, and they will continue to serve me very well hopefully for the next 30 years.
I'm making the transition to FI systems, so if any of you out there have experience w/ custom systems, like megasquirt, let me know your thoughts and advice, as I need to learn the stuff.
I'm usedvolvoboy at yahoo.com

Thanks,

J

Got a clutch/brake peddle assembly in that 73 parts car and if so ,how much?

I quote: "You should post some pics of your personal collection."
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

One thing I have been planning to do for some time is to photo document the major work and note the steps taken and tricks used to do the work. I always plan on taking the camera and after the work's been done, kick myself for not having documented it.
I've got to get a new digital camera, but I think starting this spring I will begin to photograph the bricks.
For now, they all have to remain ghosts to most of you, unless you live in the Norwich, CT area, and then perhaps you have seen the little blue '71 142s w/ the 16" Perfo rims (2mm inboard difference in offset and fit perfectly).

I would love to get together a whole collection of photo documentation and step by step instructions on maintenance and repair of the 140's and if there's anyone out there who is doing this, let me know.

Jason Levine

Hi J,
Wow, I wish I had enough room for a 140 farm! I only have one, and have only had it since last June (so I've got lots to learn). You should post some pics of your personal collection.

Dave
'72 145E

I was fortunate enough to find a sweet 1970 142S on Craigslist two years ago. With a rebuilt engine and tranny, new interior, rebuilt original seats, fresh paint, and newly rebuilt HS-6 SU carbs, this beauty is like new. And all for the low price of $3200. I bought it from an estate--original owner, too.

This car turns a LOT of heads. The problem with 140-series is that it was built as a family-car--a daily driver meant to withstand all kinds of weather conditions. As such, many of them have succumbed to rust and sun-baked interiors--depending on the climate they come from. Unlike the 1800ES, the 123GT, or even the Amazon, most people did not buy these cars hoping to keep them for 35+ years. By 1973, everything Volvo made for the U.S was fuel-injected and by 1975, electric ignitions carried the day. Lazy Americans did not want the hassle of jetting needles come winter or fiddling with points every 10000 miles, etc. If you are lucky enough to find a 1968-1971 140 model, you are likely to see a Weber carb delivering the fuel--especially if the 140 is a '69 or '70 since Volvo used the notorious Stromberg carbs in those two years due to emissions requirements and a workers' strike at SU.

I will take a 140 over a 120 ANYTIME. Power-brakes, alternators, dual-circuit braking, B20 engine, better seats, rear-defogger, etc.--all of which make the car PERFECT for everyday driving. They are simple to repair, parts are plentiful (Jeff Palya at PalTech and Joe Curti both sell polished, rebuilt SU and Strombergs that are ready to be installed), and they are enjoyable to drive.

Having said that, try finding a 1969 164 with an beefy M410, leather seats(non-cracked), solid body, and manual steering all in good condition. Now THAT would be a rare find indeed.

"Having said that, try finding a 1969 164 with an beefy M410, leather seats(non-cracked), solid body, and manual steering all in good condition. Now THAT would be a rare find indeed."

Sure would. AFAIK ALL of them came with power steering (which they need).

I just got my 69 164 operational again this week.
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

it's a '74, but...
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/997005731.html

I don't see many in the SF bay area anymore.
A forgotten breed to be sure.
--
71-145-S

http://www.brickboard.com/CLASSADS/index.htm?id=13249

Around Dayton, Ohio, there is a baby-blue 140 - 1971 or 1972 by the looks of it - puttering around now and then. It looks to be in great shape. I'm very fond of the 140s since one of them was my first Volvo and one day I hope to have another one to care for.
--
Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 265,000 miles
Original engine, transmission, drive train, alternator, starter
Undergoing reconstructive surgery with POR-15

Sad to say, I have not seen a 142, 144, or 145 in Mississippi (where I live) or Louisiana or Alabama in at least a decade. And here cars don't rust except in the narrow coastal strip near the Gulf. Even 240s have almost disappeared from this area.

122s, 544s, 1800s.. they look cool. They look vintage. Therefore they are worth the hassle required when driving a vintage car.

140s... even a '68 looks like a '93 240 at a glance to the untrained eye. For that reason, they don't have that vintage appeal except to a true enthusiast.

To a true enthusiast, that means that it's a great design that stood the test of time. To an average everyday guy on the street... a 140 is outdated. He can get the same look but with the modern conveniences and reliability by buying a car 25 years newer...

That's my take on it anyhow.

When I was in high school in 1987 plus/minus, I drove a 20 year old primer gray 122 wagon, and fellow students as well as teachers loved it. They thought it was a cool old car. As did I.

If I were in high school now, and drove a 20 year old primer gray 240 wagon, kids would think it was an old junker. Myself included perhaps, but I'd know how good of a car it is. They just don't look old.

Volvo kept the 140/240 lines in production for a long long time, and only when the youngest of those cars 20-25 years old, they won't have much classic appeal. Give 'em another 10 years. Ah heck.. give 'em 5.



--
-Matt I ♥ my ♂

There are two 142's for sale through the VCBC site, both stick one is a 71 the other a 72. Heres the link, the yellow one looks nice both are around $2000 Canadian.

http://www.volvoclubofbc.com/classified/index.html#240

The 140 and 164 have become non-existant where I live, too. The last running 140 series car for sale was a badly rusted out 145. The drivetrain was strong, but the car was left out in the elements for close to 15 years. Suffice to say, it was beyond saving. I know that the amount of plastic used in these cars makes keeping the interior looking respectable difficult at best, adding to the reluctance to keep a marginal car going. It is a shame these cars are not accepted by the Volvo community more. The 164 especially is a great car for covering distances and the B30 is smoother than any of the OHC models after it. Just my two cents, but I am partial to the 164s.
Nick

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/981253113.html

That's #2, because of course, my '72 145 is #1. You may spot me tooling around Queen Anne, if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

From '72 Volvo 145

Wasn't that(your)145 recently for sale on Craigslist itself?
I'll have to look for you tooling around Queen Anne. When mine ('72 145E) comes back from the paint shop I'll be tooling all over the neighborhoods of Seattle and beyond! My friend, who runs Odvars old place, also has a '72 145 but he loves his Sunbeams more. Go figure!
I personally have loved the 140 series ever since I started paying attention to Volvos. I'm sure that someday they will be more apealing to the untrained eye as well as to volvo enthusiasts but for now I'm fine with the general population thinking it's just another 240.

Happy Motoring!
Dave

Yup, I listed mine for a week. I thought I found something else I was going to obsess over, project wise, and have help in realizing that I only have the bandwidth for one of these things at a time. The possible new toy fell through though, so no dice.

Mine is a long way from the paint shop, though it needs it! It's about a 40ft'r at this point. Once I get the major things sorted (brakes again, few leaks, trans), then I can start to think about it.

I was just talking to a guy who works at Daisywagen (or however it's spelled) that said he knows the new Odvar. I'm an Xray man, myself, but only for brakework. That's one of the only things I won't mess around with when I have to do it on city streets, being an apartment dweller.

What color should I look for? I've only seen one or two 145s puttin' around town.

It'll be California White/ Cascade White/ Ivory. I'm not sure which name they used for color code #42 in '72 but California White sounds the coolest.(although being in Seattle I guess cascade white is more appropriate)
I've heard great things about x-ray but this would be my first Volvo old enough to get through their doors. Up till now I've only had 240's and a 760 and if I didn't have the time space or know-how to fix something I'd always go to Daisywagen. They are an absolutely fantastic shop!!
Just to be clear- there was a guy who took over for Odvar at Ballard Family Auto
who essentially drove the business into the ground over the course of several years. Then at the beginning of '08 my friend and his investor/developer partner bought the place and are, I believe turning the business around (with Odvars blessing).
Anyway, you'll know when my car is back because I'll likely be posting celebratory pics and requests for advice as I continue my quest to further restore/upgrade this latest vehicle obsession. I was planning to begin showing it off at the Swedish Cruise-in at the XXX Root Beer in mid February but it looks like I'll be out of town that weekend.
Let me know if you need help with any of your planned procedures!
-Dave

Cool. X-Ray is a great shop. I've only bought parts from the owner but he is extremely nice and has really seemed to grow his business in the last several years. Brake work though, is really easy, you should give it a shot. Seriously, the 140 doesn't have a very complicated hydraulic system.

It's not that I don't know how to do brake work, it's more that I live in a hilly area of the city and am not comfortable yanking off wheels (especially while brakes are questionable) on the street. I don't have a garage or even a driveway to work in, or this would be a different story.

Judging from on line posts, it would seem that of the surviving 140's, the proportion of them that are 71 142E's is growing. Under 3,000 these upgraded 140's were sold. They were collectables early on, and many were saved....unfortunately too many went to racing and not kept on the road. And as mentioned before, the upgraded parts were easily transfered to earlier models.

In the piedmont North Carolina area, I have not seen a running 140 in 4 years and have not seen a decently maintained 140 in 15 years.

I think that of all the vintage Volvo's, the 140 looks the best when lowered with nice rims and rubber.

Joel
--
Antique Swedish Steel 71 142E color V#102

....generations of cars, that is, and it's happening all over again. In the Washington DC area, there used to be lots of 140s. I mean LOTS of them, but then, in the late 80s and early 90s, they quite suddenly became nearly extinct, due, I believe, largely to valve seat recession from the discontinuance of leaded gas. At the time, they were just old used cars, and nobody cared very much, and didn't feel like spending the money to have hardened seats installed. 140s didn't stand out very much by their appearance from the other vehicles on the road at the time, unlike 122s which were already "vintage-cool" and therefore got saved in larger quantities. It didn't help that 140s were fairly rust-prone and that most of them, by the time they were 15-20 years old, were showing their age.

As I said, this is a generational thing, and it's happening again, right now. When the 120s and 140s were dying off en masse, the 240 and the 740 were current models. Now it's those cars' turn to disappear, and the 240 seems to have taken on the role of the 122 and become vintage-cool, and the 740 is today's 140 equivalent---the better of the two cars, but the one nobody is bothering to save. Though the causes are different (the later cars, particularly the 7s, are much better rustproofed than their 70s counterparts, and the B230 engines are just about bulletproof) most of these vehicles are one major repair away from the junkyard, due to being worth almost nothing (with the exception of really nice, clean late 240s, which are already bringing a premium price) so if you ever wanted a 240 or 740, now is the time to get it, before they're all gone too, after which (with the exception of the 940, which is nothing more than a revised 740) there are NO MORE real Volvos. When these are gone, that's it, and don't try to tell me about 960s, or 850s, or any of the other late model vehicles that carry the Mars/Iron/Male symbol badge----though some are decent cars, judged on their own merits, they no longer have any of the characteristics that make a Volvo a Volvo: extreme durability, mechanical simplicity leading to ease of repair, and (with the exception of the 960) rear wheel drive.

I think your largely correct about the generational issues regarding car tastes and 122 and 1800 being more revered by classic car folks. However, here in Western Washington, in particular the Puget Sound area, we don't really have the same rust issues that many experience in the east. My personal suspicion, which is a totally unverified opinion, is that something more sinister and intentional happened. Only a few (maybe 6) years ago decent and cheap 140's were plentiful and 122's and 544's were relatively rare; then the trend shifted and 140's have become almost extinct. Then again, unlike the 240 versus 740 situation you mentioned, the 140 series haa MANY parts of equal or superior quality that are interchangeable with those from earlier models, surely working against the survival of this model.

My PV has the motor from my old '73 145e.

And my old 122 had lots and lots of parts from a '71 142E in it.
--
'63 PV544 rat rod, '93 Classic #1141 245 +t

I also think the 140's are under appreciated. Volvo took years to come up with a successor for the 122. What they ended up with is a clean, spacious, reliable, efficient automobile combining quintessential, timeless Scandanavian design with legendary Gothenberg tank-like construction. Upgrading your 122 brakes? 140 already has boosted 4-wheel disks. Upgrading from B-18 to B-20? Comes standard with the 140. Want better seats that recline or have headrests? The 140 has you covered. Need to haul stuff? The 140 trunk is cavernous. Safety important to you? Remember that ad where they stacked 10 cars up on the roof of a 140?

On the other hand, nothing beats a 122.

As of mid December, there was a nice, white, 1-family owned, 1970 142 with a for sale sign in the window in Willamette Heights in Portland. But it was an automatic. I can't remember exactly, but it was near the intersection of the NW Vaughn and 31st Ave on a dead end street. Hopefully someone will save this one from being parted out or.... sent to the crusher.

Regards

There was a safety orange 145 in really nice condition for sale here (Whidbey Island, north of Seattle) for $500 recently. I was sorely tempted, but it was an automatic.

It's possible the 140s will reappear in a few years, although not in large quantities. Wasn't that long ago that most 122s were just old beaters before they developed a "cool" factor. Now we don't see a whole lot of them, but most of those are nice ones.

Thanks for the heads up on the 142 in Portland. I already know about it, the fact that it is an automatic (I used to own an automatic 142) really puts me off. A conversion to an M41 isn't terribly difficult in the later model with the floor mount auto shifter, but it has a column shifter and I really don't want to do the swap anyway. That car does seem very nice, but I think the fact that it is an automatic, and their advertising it with pictures of a 140 with a single SU, may be discouraging potential buyers.

Thanks,
Colin

The 140 might be the best overall car Volvo ever made. They made a lot of 140s in comparison to the other early models.

When a 140 lover managed to kill the car, it was easier to just replace it with another used 140. Easier to replace then repair since there were so many of them out there. The process gets repeated until there are only a few remaining. I think that's a difference between a typical PV/122/1800 owner. Since they made fewer of the other models it's more difficult to replace them in this fashion.

It also seems that more folks figured that the other vintage Volvo models would be worth holding on to earlier on as well.

In about 10-15 years we'll probably be having the exact same conversation about the 240. I've noticed that 70s 240s are getting harder to find, when there use to be a lot of them to choose from in my area.
--
http://dylans122.blogspot.com/

140s now seem to be very rare in the UK too. On e-bay the old volvos are generally Amazons, P1800s, 544s and 1970s 240s. I have not seen another 140 where I live. People often stop and stare at mine. I never considered the 140 a remarkable looking car -- but in the parking lot at work, which is full of new volvos, audis, etc, it looks very different. The narrow tires, chrome, and very simple lines seem to be what makes it stand out.

Adding to the global perspective from UK, over here in Malaysia, its just the same. I see more 122s running around compared to 140s.

Of course, my 74 144 is in mint condition. During my college days in the USA, I rounded up every upgrade I could get my hands on, and today, it has the M41, electronic ignition from a 75 244, and power steering adapted from a 164. It is now my weekend driver after I got it fully restored. My dad owned the car from 1974 (new), and it was his daily driver until he passed on in 2001, leaving me in the driver's seat.

The 140 is a timeless classic and it enjoys the best of both worlds. I'd like to think of it as a bridge between the older pushrod Volvos and the newer "square" Volvos. THis is because besides sharing mostly mechanical parts with the earlier 122/544, it also shares a fair amount of parts with the 240 series (especially body parts eg windows, doors, etc). From the A pillar back, it is a dead ringer of a 240 (especially the 1975-1978 models. It even has the same taillamps). Sure, it does not have the classic looks of a 122, but it was the boxy shape of the 140 that defined the tough utilitarian image for Volvos for many years to come, right thru the 940 series, and although the "square" Volvos are no longer in production, it is this very image that appears in people's mind when talking about Volvos.

My daily driver is a 1997 940 turbo and while I enjoy its refinement which is light years ahead of the 140, not the mention the power, I still enjoy the brutish feel of my 140. Well, the 140 may not be a classic to the untrained eye, but for me, its a different story. It is a classic in its own right, and I only wish that more people turn to restoring this model - The "forgotten Volvo".





--
...and the bricks keep on rolling

You'll be glad to know that I FINALLY got the 164 going! Carbs were gummed up so it would only run on a few.
Jim Taylor refurbed another pair I had and now it seems to run great for a worn engine.
Got the insurance up to date, found the license plate sticker on Monday evening so I can drive it legally.
It's off to the body shop for new paint as soon as I can work it in.
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Way to go George!
Can't wait to see the pics once it has a new coat of paint. Errr..I think I owe the Brickboard some pictures of my 144. will try to get it up this weekend, or what's left of it.

I can still remember the night I was at your place in early 2005, when Ben was driving the 164 up the street, and Faith got up and walked to the front door. She could actually distinguish its sound from the other cars in the neighbourhood.

Faith recognized all of our cars as well as those of the neighbors so we could tell when someone strange was driving by.
Faith gave out about a year and a half ago at age 15+. She was losing about 6# every time we took her to
the veterinarian, and when she got down to 24# we decided it had gone far enough.
We couldn't find anything that she wanted to eat, even fresh hamburger so we had to let her go.
It was (as usual) a tough parting, not made easier by the 3 other dogs we had worn out in successsion.
Fortunately cars aren't limited as to age - my friend Neal has one that is now 105 years old.
As Tom Demarest said in his song "An Old Volvo", they just get newer part by part.
When I have it looking right I'll post some pix.
Great hearing from you!
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Very interesting. How late did production extend for the 940s? I think the last year in USA was 1995. Extended production beyond the USA date should be good for long-term parts availability. Is your car right hand drive or left hand drive? Happy 2009.

1997 was the last model for the 940 over here. Not too sure on the 960. Happy 2009 to you as well.
--
...and the bricks keep on rolling

I don't know about other areas of Southern California, but I seem to have the only operational 145, or had untill it jumped timing, in my little corner. Even talking to the local Volvo specialist he said he hadn't worked on one in a while. p1800's seem pretty abundant. I got flagged down by an Amazon owner who was surprised to see mine, even asked if I was interested in selling it.

The 142/145 was always my favorite model. Yes, they're a box, but a somewhat lighter looking better proportioned looking box than the 240. The 1800 s/es look better, but not as fun to work on, too tight.
I have a '72 as my daily driver and do about 600 miles a week. It has been upgraded, brakes, suspension, motor BUt that being said most people think it's a 240 (or like any other "old Volvo" when they were boxy....but good. as my neighbor says).
CU