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So, as I was shopping around for a 940 sedan, I happened across a fellow selling his 1991 780 with the B230FT. It's a high mileage (>200k) but from the pics he provided, it generally looks quite good for its age, in and out.
Given that it's a redblock and AW71 tranny, does it share a lot of parts with the 760/740 series? I know body, trim, and interior bits can be impossible to find, but are the running gear, electrics, fuel system, mechanicals, etc. relatively interchangeable? I don't mind doing hunting for trim and baubles, or scouring for lenses, etc., but I'd hate to be garaged because a needed part to keep it on the road cannot be found.
I'm going to take it for a drive Monday and see how it handles and sounds. Other than the cosmetics and nivomats, anything in particular I should worry about beyond the usual 740 turbo worries?
Advice on pricing for this? I have seen them run anywhere from 1k to 7k for a 780, so I figure with high mileage but good condition the 2k neighborhood is fair?
Oh, and the one thing I noticed just from the exterior, the front end seems to have some issues. The grill (or the space right behind it) looks odd and the spoiler has that all too common pushed-in look. I have linked a picture here, so if you have ideas, I'd love to hear your advice.
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Well, the guy never took my call Monday and then did not return my call or answer my email, so given the asking price and door post weld mess, I've decided it isn't worth chasing it down. I've got a line on a solid '94 940 sedan and will probably just go that route instead.
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Sounds like a good plan, Doc. Most experienced Volvos are reasonably original looking, and finding one that has not been abused, kept up is a bonus. Advice given to me way back was that if you want to be certain, Buy a 1/2 hour of a reputable dealer/other mechanic's time. you nail down what problems, and get affirm$ cost to make right. You will run into a unmolested 780 for that sweet price, took me a few yrs. Hard to own one if 2 will squeeze in.
Regards, Ken in Sunny FL........70 degrees..BRRRR>
Too much Swedish Steel! 445,210,444,544s,142,760V8,780.'71 Burb,'60 Stude,
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The pix looks normal, except the front right headlight wiper motor (EU only) plug is missing. License plate hanger is a cheap replacement, the big cost items, the air dam and fog lights, including the hook access door, are all there. My rule has been 2K total cost to be able to reliably drive with fully functioning heating and air. 780s are great driving solid safe cars, and I can get between 24 and 27+ MPG-highway with my identical car (bought in like new pristine condition for about 3K.
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I don't think the door frame issue is due to rust. The 780 can be prone to rusting at the bottom of the opera windows, but not normally that high up.
The shot of the rear seats looks promising. Are the front seats in good shape, or are they splitting along some of the seams?
Drivetrain wise, I don't think you'll encounter anything that's too hard to find or correct. Without seeing any other pictures, its hard to give you an estimate for price.
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Thanks. I am making the drive up tomorrow to give it a look and will pull the cheap covers off the front seats to see what they look like. He's asking $3k for it, which I think is considerably overpriced given the high mileage and door post damage. Here is the full listing with lots of good pictures:
http://www.volvobylnb.com/forsale,91burg780.html
I noticed the cracks at the passenger side dash, the front spoiler looks a little wonky, the odd mount on the passenger side of the center console, something in the top center of the rear window, and the weld job on the drivers door post.
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There are switches in the seatbacks to move the seat, covered by the crummy covers. Make sure they work! They are unique to the 780. When tilting the passenger seat forward to allow egress to the rear seat, the seat bottom will roll forward. When the seat back is put back, the seat bottom is supposed to return to the prior position.
The bottom seat skins can be removed and taken to a leather shop for a rebuild, but that won't be cheap.
I really don't like the 'weld' junk in the B pillar. Check for rust on the rear side window frames.
Also check out the climate control, same as the 760.
$3000 is a bit much. It is not the mileage that bothers me, it the care it got with the last owner.
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Thanks for link - the seller is a Volvo specialist so they know what they are selling. I would guess going half of asking price is too much for them.
On the other hand they are selling a 940 with a dent in the door for $2k.
I wonder if they offer any warranty since they repair Volvos
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I've got an'89.boughtit for a grand. These were built w/the 940 platform, mechanicals, ABS, etc. IPD has a Bilstein rear strut conversion for $450, the Nivomats are twice that. Seat cushions can be changed from rt to left. The front spoilers were too low for US curbs and most were beat too death--mine too.
There should be 2 electric fans behind grille . Major A/c components are GM evap/dryer, and an ABS form fit Dash cover is out there. I am not afraid to put a re-spray, some mechanicals in mine.
If you like the car and it runs good, and you are going too keep it, a grand or a bit more is fair. These handle great and if you add the IPD sway bars, super. It is an unusual model. Mine has a little rust starting at the windshield post/chrome trim and rear window. Good hunting !!
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I am thinking there may have been rust here and a sloppy repair job over it, not sure exactly what is going on, but it is a mess. Wonder if I can clean this up some ...
http://www.drcheap.net/780doorpost.jpg
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Don't have any 780 specialized knowledge, but my guess is that high up it is accident damage not rust repair. Check further...
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Here's the pic of the front end: http://drcheap.net/780spoiler.jpg
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It doesn't look like you need them, but I have an excellent pair of headlights, and a grille with poor emblem, for sale.
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Doesn't look bad to me. I always judge front end work(or lack thereof) by checking the hood/quarter panel gaps. They look pretty even. Appropriate "dingage" around license plate bracket(snow banks). I'd be thinking $1500 unless everything on my "stage zero" list has already been recently replaced. $2000 if I need to do nothing but drive.
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as much as I like the 780, the 940 is more practical. you are correct in the basics, they are the same. the ac is different, I think, unless the 940s have acc, I forget. 1 upside to the 780 is you get the bigger front brakes. the 940s, except se's have solid rear axles, much simpler than the irs some 780s have. also, no nivomats on the 940s. good luck, chuck.
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