|
|
|
Everywhere someone punches my 1991 745T's VIN into a computer (CarFax, State of Florida DMV, etc), the computer always decides that my car is a "740 Turbo SE Wagon" or a "740/SE," or something like that. Can anyone tell me what an "SE" is or is supposed to be? Is it any different than a plain old 745T or 740 Turbo Wagon? Is this good, like a performance thing, or is it a cheapo model ("Skinflint Edition") or something?
If it helps any, it is not loaded to the gills with options and goodies, no cruise control, no upgraded stereo (has stock Alpine/Volvo AM/FM Cassette with a whopping 2.5 watts power), etc. It does have a medium/light grey leather interior, and at least six speaker locations (F&R doors, top of dashboard), electric sunroof, ABS, but don't know if it is 2-wheel ABS or 4-wheel ABS, and A/C. But that is about it.
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Phil NY
on
Wed Apr 21 11:40 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
|
|
I have a 91 744 SE with a "Aero" package(painted, low profile bumpers, foglights, lip spoiler on the trunk, cowl air intake [for the ventilation system], sunroof etc..). Bright red, turbo, leather cruise, limited slip differential (which is excellent), Hydra wheels (early release of the 940 wheel)... The finest model 740 I have ever come across.
|
|
-
|
|
|
I think we're on the right track. What got me thinking about just what an "SE" is, here in the US, is that mine has nothing but black trim. No chrome anywhere. Most or all of the 740 Turbo Wagons I've seen have chrome trim. Even the round bezels around the keyholes on mine are painted matte black. Also it does not seem like some kind of upgrade model as one might expect, say nearer a 760 level of options and goodies. So I thought it might be either a Turbo model for the economically challenged (i.e. a strip-o cheapie model) or, hopefully, a hopped-up light weight edition. You know: no 760-like rubbish (power seats, cruise, etc) to weigh it down, but lots of performance goodies, like a lock-up rear-end, a factory installed Turbo-Plus kit, better suspension, etc.
BTW, how can you tell if it does have a Turbo-Plus kit on it?
It does have unusual mag wheels, for a 1991: it has the 15" Draco wheels. Maybe it is my limited experience with Volvos, but I've never seen the Draco wheels on anything but the 1989 and earlier cars. All of the 1990 and newer Turbos and Turbo Wagons I've seen have the 16" 5-spoke swept-spoke wheels, or the ones with 24 (or is it 20) fine spokes. My front grille is metallic black clearcoat too, thank heaven. I think a black grille looks better on them than the usual silver grille. Loved the 1990 egg-crate on the Turbos.
Thanks for the help sorting it all out.
|
|
-
|
|
|
In the US, Volvo switched back to the 15" Draco as standard equipment for 1991 740 Turbos (not sure about the SE), so only the 1990 had the 16" wheel. All 1991 740 Turbos in the US had the limited slip differential as standard.
Turbo plus can be identified by looking at the front of the airbox - if nothing is attached to the airbox, you don't have Turbo +. There are a couple other ways to identify it but that's the easiest.
Zack
1980 245DL M46 272k
1988 745T+ M46 191k
|
|
-
|
|
|
The "matte black" trim is standard on 740 turbos. AFAIK the 760s are the only ones that have the "bertonish" painted trim, a feature I personally find heinous. This is actually a large part of teh reason I have MASSIVE problems find9ing replacement trim pieces; all I come across are painted pieces I don't need.
For reference, I have a 1985 745t that I don't believe is an SE (at least I've never heard that reference to my car). It has leather seats, underbumper fogs with the airdam system, power windows, the same stereo you mention, etc. What it doesn't have is a power sunroof (hand crank), power mirrors, or power seats. The wheels are, I believe, 15" Novas.
Best,
rt
|
|
-
|
|
|
In Canada (probably in the states as well) a 1991 Volvo SE was a turbo fitted with the aero kit (including fog lights) automatic (which I understand was satndard in the U.S.) and leather seats. This model was priced about the same as a 1990 without automaitc and leather. You bascially got the aero kit and automatic free. The only problem about the proce was in 1991 (januanry 1st) we had the manufacteres salkes tax (which was built in to the price of everything) replaced with the goods and services tax that was added to the sales price. So really it wasn't a fair coparson but the SE did seem to give more value. I hope this helps.
|
|
-
|
|
I don't know what the SE designation means exactly ('Special Edition' I think- A long running one!), but the British 740SE features a B200E or B200F engine, 4 electric windows, electric mirrors, central door locking, a CR-702 cassette/radio with electric aerial, an electric steel sunroof and blacked-out exterior trim.
However, it only has steel wheels and doesn't have cruise, ABS or aircon, although I'm sure that such options were available- Does anyone in the know actually know which options were available on the UK-spec SE?
I think it's a derivative of the 'base' model 740, but it's actually better equipped than a 740GL. I imagine that the US model had roughly the same equipment, with some differences for that market...
My own 745 is an SE, so I speak from knowledge :)
--
Volvo For Life. And then some...
|
|
-
|
|
James,
I think the SE stands for Special Equipment.
The UK model model was a 740GL fitted with the extras you listed.
The US model was a turbo and had a generally higher spec than ours.
As to extras, I think you could specify any you wanted. Mine is as you say plus grey leather so that was obviously an addition.
Colin.
1990 740SE B200E/M47, remote C/Locking.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Way to go, Mr. Shepherd!!!
So the SE was a GL and then some? Sorry, H366FLH and all the other SEs. I've been doing you down!
As for extras, my SE has really excellent roll-up loadspace cover with integral parcels shelf. And a really worrying halon fire extinguisher in the right hand rear side well :)
Am I right in thinking that our cars were made at about the time that Volvo were letting the buyers have practically whatever extras they wanted? If I were the original purchaser of mine, I would have gone for leather seats, turbo alloys, cruise, ABS and aircon.
--
Volvo For Life. And then some...
|
|
-
|
|
|
As for extras, my SE has really excellent roll-up loadspace cover with integral parcels shelf.
Now there's a much desired option/accessory that a lot of us wish we had. -that and the metal safety cage to separate the wagon (estate) cargo area from the passenger area.
And a really worrying halon fire extinguisher in the right hand rear side well :)
Are you kidding me??? Your Volvo came with a 1211-Halon Fire Extinguisher from the factory??? I've never heard of this option. -and I want one. I keep an ABC-Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher in my vehicle and use it once every year or so (not on my car, just the random vehicle fire that happen to see while driving). I have a Halon unit in the basement at home, but that's only in case the chemical & paint cabinet should catch fire.
God bless,
Fitz Fitzgerald.
--
'87 Blue 245, NA 236K
|
|
-
|
|
|
I think it may have been a dealer fitted option. It is branded 'Firemaster'. I'm glad that it is there- I can keep my old ABC extinguisher for home use!
Are halon fire extinguishers still legal? I thought that they were ozone-unfriendly.
--
Volvo For Life. And then some...
|
|
-
|
|
|
I think it was more a case of upping the spec a bit to keep up the sales of 740s with the 940 imminent, and emptying the 740 parts stock bins before the cars were replaced by the 940.
Colin.
1990 740SE B200E/M47, remote C/Locking.
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Skip
on
Tue Apr 20 09:14 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
|
|
Back in the mid to late 80's I remember seeing a couple of 740T's with full Volvo aero kit and wing plus a few other Volvo accessories like leather steering wheel etc. They were all labeled "Special Edition". Not sure if it was a dealer promo or not.
Skip
'93 850GLT
'83 242TI Flathood
|
|
-
|
|
|
You are probably right. Have you noticed how similar the 940 is to the late 740, apart from the front end and some very minor trim differences? I think my 1990 is closer to the 940 than to the pre-1990 740s, apart from the dashboard, which is the old style...
I think our 740s should meet up. We might get a purple 340 from the union :)
--
Volvo For Life. And then some...
|
|
|
|
|
