|
|
|
I have had a variety of answers from volvo mechanics and others.Anyone know for certain?Thanks.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Yes, DL = DeLuxe and GL = Grand Luxe. In Denmark the late 140 and 1975 240 had the word DeLuxe written instead of DL.
Later they had GLE = Grand Luxe Extra and GLT = Grand Luxe Touring.
The specifications and badging are very different in Europe and even between countries. My '76 GL in Denmark had leather seats + steering wheel, B21E/M40, manual windows, no sunroof, no aircon (both probably because there's no sun in Denmark), it had tach but no trunk release, no power steering and no chromed door locks (?!?) and no alloy wheels. It didn't have heated seats either.
My UK '89 GLT has leather seats but not steering wheel, tach, power windows, central locking, heated seats, sunroof, no aircon, power steering, electric mirrors, B230E/AW70, radio and power antenna and Virgo alloys.
Cheers
|
|
-
|
|
|
You got one answer that is my answer, too. DL = DeLuxe, GL = Grand Luxe.
Prior to 1983, the two different models had quite a number of differences. GL had tach, pwer windows, trunk release in the glove box, chromed door lock knobs, Corona alloy wheels (five of them), leather seats, if a stick shift, it got a leather shifter boot.
Then in 1983, they changed to badging just DL or GL, no 240 numbers. Cheaper, I suppose.
Then came the 700 series, so in 1985 they had to start using numbers again, but no more 3rd digit = door count. They became 240, period. Many owners still use the 3rd digit as "shorthand" for sedan or wagon.
As the 240 neared the end of its run, things got a little blurred, and one could order about whatever one wanted. Volvo wanted to end the run 2 or 3 years before the final year, but there was sufficient hue and cry to keep going.
I have a 1988 244 GL, cloth seats, tach, autobox, aftermarket radio (PO was a cheapskate) and a rubber ducky antenna, power windows, heated seats, manual sunroof. I have chucked the radio for a Volvo model, and installed a power antenna.
My 1986 244 GL has power antenna, Pioneer aftermarket radio, leather seats, tach, power windows, heated seats, manual sunroof.
Neither car has chromed door lock knobs because I took them out. When the chrome splits it leaves a sharp edge which can cut fingers. I replaced them with knobs from a 740 which come in colors.
The GL badging was dropped in the early 90's. All became the same, and one ordered the features desired.
I get funny looks when I describe the wife.sig's 1997 960 as a 965.
You must use whatever the car says, since that's what the insurance folks and license plate people will find in their mfg. data base stuff.
Regards,
Bob
;>)
|
|
-
|
|
|
Many years back, one of the door lock knobs for the rear doors broke, and my parents bought me a pair of 8-ball door lock knobs from K-Mart. Now that I have an appreciation for my car, I would replace them with something Volvo, but I've gotten several compliments/comments over the years that encourage me to save them for the rear doors.
The "chrome" began to flake off of my front door lock knobs as well. I have replaced them with tan knobs from a 940 (my interior is tan), but I'm not sure if I'm satisified with them. I think black knobs were standard with my interior (tan down low, black at top), and the knobs are above the tan/black demarcation line. I'm going to leave them for now, but I may change them some day.
--
'89 244 GL -- 114,XXX miles (see profile for info on car)
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be red sled
on
Mon Jun 27 10:07 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
When I worked for a Volvo dealership I just figured an easy way to remember was: GL=Got Leather//DL=Doesn't(have)Leather. I know, it's dorky-but it worked!
|
|
-
|
|
|
Actually, I think that's one of the few standard features of the GL. I think all of the GLs came with power windows, too, but many DLs have them as well (particularly after 1989). I'm still baffled by the exclusion of a power antenna on my car, yet the installation of them on some '89 DLs. I've got a tachometer, but the use of them in 240s towards the turn of the decade seemed to get more unpredictable.
I do know that some/many/all of the GLs got rear headrest padding--I had no idea that the solid look of my headrests was actually the result of a velcroed leather covering over the headrests. Peeking underneath the covering one day, I discovered that the rear headrest have slots in them, just like all other post-1988 240s.
--
'89 244 GL -- 114,XXX miles (see profile for info on car)
|
|
-
|
|
|
Power windows was standard on all GL as leather, special door panels, tachometer, power antennae. On very early models ('83 and before) remote trunk release was an option when trunk used different key. Rear headrest covers were offerd on the 244 GLE ('83 and older?) I'm not familiar with covers on the rear headrests on '89 and newer but I do know they made inserts for the front and rear.
|
|
-
|
|
|
I was under the impression that none of the models before 1989 came with rear head restraints. Were they an option for those earlier cars? What year were they first offered (before or after the 1986 changes)?
I don't think I've ever seen/noticed rear head rests on any older cars.
I can tell you for a fact that, at least in 1989, power antennas were not standard for GLs. My car did not have one.
What is special about the GL door panels? I haven't noticed too many differences between mine and DL ones.
--
'89 244 GL -- 114,XXX miles (see profile for info on car)
|
|
-
|
|
|
My '88 didn't come with them, I added them (headrests and hardware) to existing holes located in the rear deck. You will need the newer deck pad. with mounts and pins for the child seat saftey straps.
I'm not sure how I could explain the difference between the door panels; If you have a chance to see one in a yard, compare the two. They are getting rarer because most GL's were made in the early to mid '80's. Later Volvo just added the GL features to the DL and dropped the DL/GL emblems ( I'm not 100% sure when and if they stopped the "GL" package but based on what I've seen around I haven't noticed '90 and newer GL's.)
Did you buy yours new? Every GL I have ever seen had a power antennae unless the owner got tired of replacing the antennae and used a DL or aftermarket one.
My pet project is an '88 244GL with 167,560 mi. AT, PW, sunroof(which I love!)2nd. owner;All records faithfully maintained ( I won't even list what I have done.)
Upgrades to my '88:
Converted entire tan leather GL interior to Black.
Added '85 turbo power mirrors complete with factory harnesses and switches.
Move radio down to lower area (pain in the rear to put CD's in or see the display.) Will get tilt face headunit.
Added Ambient temp guage in F, oil pressure, volt and oil temp in F.
Black factory deep dish floor mats including trunk
New taillights, shocks, station wagon springs.
GT strut tower braces, lower chassis brace, turbo sway bars
Converted chrome beltline trim and door handles to black.
Factory fog lamps including harness.
Black center armrest and ski guard.
Custom painted Virgo wheel set and caps(Graphite)
Future upgrades:
Cruise control, side marker lamps and Paint job. May consider cam and gear upgrade plus I have a 5 speed I may put in.
|
|
-
|
|
|
DeLuxe, as opposed to GrandLuxe (GL)? GL cars had a tach, power windows, a sunroof in sedans, alloy rims, leather, and were automatic-only in later years (yes, that's correct - you could only get a tach stock with an automatic).
-b.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Hmmm... I do have the power windows, but not the leather or Tach.Deluxe, cool, thanks.
|
|
-
|
|
|
I have an 89 245 DL with leather seats but no PW or tach. (I did however put a tach in recently).
PW would be nice, is it much trouble to acquire and install a power window system?
--
1989 245 DL with a 1993 B230F engine.
|
|
-
|
|
|
I don't think your seats are leather unless they were taken out of a GL. They are most likely Pleather (fake leather) or as we country fok like to say, "vinyl".
A lot of people think that the vinyl seats are leather. Leather seats fall apart after about ten years.
|
|
-
|
|
|
I don't think your seats are leather unless they were taken out of a GL. They are most likely Pleather (fake leather) or as we country fok like to say, "vinyl".
A lot of people think that the vinyl seats are leather. Leather seats fall apart after about ten years.
|
|
-
|
|
|
I guess they are vinyl because there is no leather smell but I figured that was due to age. The passenger and rear seats are in perfect condition with no rips or marring. The front seat has 2 rips that aren't horrible and look like they could be repaired fairly easily (if I ever attempted it)
--
1989 245 DL with a 1993 B230F engine.
|
|
-
|
|
You would be looking at a very long weekend.
It's possible, but it's a lot of work.
Read this thread on the subject. Has all the info you'll need:
http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=838157
--
Proud owner of "The World's Most Famous Volvo Radio!"
|
|
-
|
|
|
No problem depending on how you so it. The easiest would be to get 4 used power window doors (in matching color ideally) and the harness which runs from the drivers door to the fuse area then to the pass front door then the pass rear door and the second branch runs to the drivers rear door. By buying 4 used doors you can get everything you need and easier instalation. Here in eastern PA I can get 4 doors (in good to great shape) and harness for under $150. You and an assistant could do it in half a day. You will need someone to hold the doors while positioning and shimming. Should be plug and play, Good luck!
|
|
-
|
|
|
Some DLs came with dealer-installed power windows in front. You can tell the dealer-installed systems from the stock ones by the fact that the switches are on the dash panel and not on the driver's door. Find a car with such a system and install the front window regulators, switches, and wiring in your car.
-b.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Thanks, I'll keep my eye out at the local yard for such a system.
--
1989 245 DL with a 1993 B230F engine.
|
|
|
|
|
