My journey started waaay back in about 1994 or 1995 (or it could have been 1996) when, after a protracted negotiation (plus some help from my dad and $600), I claimed ownership of a delapidated sky blue 1971 145 Express. At the time I was the owner of a 70,000 mile 1970 auto 144, my dad had a 1974 144 GL with OD (480,000 km) and my mum had a nice 1974 75,000 km 144 auto with SS exhaust and C cam (best auto cam for big valve head). We were a true Volvo family, now with an addition (and a 1968 122S and 1948 Ford Super Deluxe V8 to keep them company).
Anyway, back to the story. A bit of history on the van. Back in 1971 these vans were delivered to dealerships who signed in 1970 to form Volvo Australia. This particular specimen was delivered to Lloyds Volvo in Subiaco. It was used by Lloyds as their mobile service van until the mid-late 1980's when it was sold to Dave Eaves. I've heard a few stories from Volvo owners who remember the sight of the light blue van being driven around the streets during the 1970's and 1980's.
Dave ran a Volvo garage and wreckers in O'Connor (it was called Volvserv or something like that). The story gets a bit hazy during the years at O'Connor. Used to ferry bits around the place, the old girl sustained a few dents internally and became coated with a liberal dose of engine oil. Not satisfied with(out) the 'push you back in your seat' power of the B20A, M40 and 4.30:1 diff, a hair dryer was attached. With boost wound up to the rafters it was power for a good time, not a long time. One leg out of bed later and a replacement B20B was in order (with a little less turbo boost).
By now the old girl was suffering the old 140 brake hose degradation problem. Having poor brakes, a driver with little respect and a heavy right foot only ends in disaster. In this case the hired help tried to mate the Volv with the rear end of another car on the freeway while doing a terminal velocity test. So much for that lovelly alloy grille. Back in the yard and fitted with a donor set of panels and grille from a 1973 140 she was back on the road. Unfortunately the battering took its toll and she was placed into the corner of the yard and forgotten. Several years later and a wrecking yard move she wss in my posession. (Sorry, photos are in a box that has seen several intetstate moves).