Volvo Lovers:

I have a dilemna that others have probably experienced before me. I own and love a 1971 145 that my father bought new. I've done many things to it over the years:
- engine replacement
- overdrive installed
- several resprays

The time has come to fix the rust rotting through around the wheel wells, gutters, and some windows. Following recommendations from contributors to brickboard, I contacted a highly reputable restoration shop and consulted with the owner - a very friendly and honest guy.

His advice was basically this: don't do it. He says that properly fixing rust that has rotted through from the inside would involve panel fabrication and replacement and would be prohibitively expensive on a 140 series. I countered that I've seen cars in worse shape restored, but his opinion was still that it does not make sense to sink money into saving a 140 series bodyshell. He even stated there was no point sending him pictures of the rust - that he's been around long enough to know what I'm talking about (I do take his word for it).

He did offer another solution that makes sense, but breaks my heart: he could obtain a 145 in good structural condition and clone my car, even serial numbers and all. He could also use the salvageable interior parts from my car, making it smell the same. All this for much less money and far better results.

questions
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1. My God, should I actually consider turning my baby into a parts car and clone it?
2. Has anyone out there had a 140 series restored with serious rust damage? If yes, give me an idea of the costs please.
3. I know I've seen stories on the web of Volvo rustbuckets restored, but admittedly, these were not 140 series cars. Is this guy right that I shouldn't do it?


Thanks.