Vee_Que
It's better to drive an old car with good visibility vs a new one in lhd. Even in a lhd country...
volvodriverman
I've got a 90 760gle anyone is welcome to cut up if they do import one ;)
Major Ledfoot
1989 and later 780s came with IRS which AFAIC make them more desirable.
If someone wanted to bring one over, it would be a good idea to bring over a second dead unit for spare panels since 740/760 front guards, doors, and the rear 1/4 panels are all different from the 780s.
Quite a few years ago, I brought an 1800 back here from the US , and it wasn't as massively expensive or as big a hassle as some may think - as long as it's imported as a working vehicle (ie not for parts), there's an import approval from Australian customs / the motor transport mob before you ship it, and all the US title paperwork is done properly over there before its six-week sea voyage begins.
That being said, the 1800 squeaked in under the 30 Year Rule, meaning there was minimal import duty. AFAIK at present, an early model 780 / Coupe will attract the same import duty as an 89-90-91, so if someone does it, it might be worth going for the later ones.
Vee_Que
From what I understand. Cars built after 87 are an issue without a RAWS performed. It's why there aren't any later model lhd c4 corvettes, mustangs etc.
Major Ledfoot
Vee_Que;25022 wroteFrom what I understand. Cars built after 87 are an issue without a RAWS performed. It's why there aren't any later model lhd c4 corvettes, mustangs etc.
Oh. [frowny face] I didn't know that.
rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/sevs/sevsindex.htm
raws.infrastructure.gov.au/faq_1.htm
Yuck. :( Seems it's all changed.
Bit of reading to do....
A_Volvo_Driver
A GT car like that needs a bigger motor :)
Major Ledfoot
Hey, VQ - just as a matter of interest, was 2012 the last time you checked on this?
If that's the case , it seems to operate on a sliding period of 25 years. According to the website of the Department Of Everything That Isn't Nailed Down, cars built after 1 January 1989 are presently subject to the RAWS / SEVS process - i.e. cars less than 25 years old. Which means that next year, the RAWS / SEVS process will be required for cars made after 1 January 1990.
Meanwhile, does anyone want to become a RAWS? :P
Salman
Looking at the 760 and 780 it appears they have the same A pillar angle and windscreen. If that is the case then a 780 would have the exact same firewall and cowl side and upper structure. In fact I would be surprised if a company like Volvo would have been able to justify spending the millions needed to tool extra panels. Swapping out from left to right ought to be a piece of cake, in fact there is a possibility that most of the panel would be symmetrical except for the cut outs and holes. That is typically how it is done nowadays at least. It might be easier to move the holes rather than un-stitching the panel. One more detail of course is the wiper stalk holes. Once that is done you would need to swap out the headlamps for 760 lamps. I suspect the hood between the two is common but the fenders, frontside indicators, grilles and bumpers are different and possibly the headlamps. So there may need to be some minor rejigging needed at the front. Then in addition you need to buy the RHD steering gear. I think that would cover most of it.
Philia_Bear
Salman;25344 wroteLooking at the 760 and 780 it appears they have the same A pillar angle and windscreen. If that is the case then a 780 would have the exact same firewall and cowl side and upper structure. In fact I would be surprised if a company like Volvo would have been able to justify spending the millions needed to tool extra panels. Swapping out from left to right ought to be a piece of cake, in fact there is a possibility that most of the panel would be symmetrical except for the cut outs and holes. That is typically how it is done nowadays at least. It might be easier to move the holes rather than un-stitching the panel. One more detail of course is the wiper stalk holes. Once that is done you would need to swap out the headlamps for 760 lamps. I suspect the hood between the two is common but the fenders, frontside indicators, grilles and bumpers are different and possibly the headlamps. So there may need to be some minor rejigging needed at the front. Then in addition you need to buy the RHD steering gear. I think that would cover most of it.
The firewall is mostly not a separate panel from the front floor pan
Vadis has some pretty good part pictures of what the stamped steel section looks like
IMHO it's just not worth it to even consider swapping it
Vee_Que
Salmon - You would be correct if you were talking about 240's. however, 740's firewalls are different to 88> 760's and 960 firewalls for a start, then they are different LHD to RHD, No simple panels to unbolt and swap over, I know that as I've stripped and wrecked a few 740's and 760's down to nothing. The panels are not the same either, which is most of the point of the 780 actually, people have swapped late 760/960 dashes into 780s, but it's not easy as the car is closer to being a 740 underneath as it was designed by Bertone well before the 88MY 760 came out with the new front end and firewall and front panels etc. Windscreens are unique to the 780 as well, like the 88> 760 and the 960 are different again.
Wiper stalk holes? I'm unsure how that's an issue if using a RHD doner car dash and steering column and front end assembly as the indicator is on the left RHD or LHD....
The 88MY 760 was designed as the model update to bring the Volvo back more upmarket like the 144 and 164 had, It was redesigned to fit the whiteblock motor but they stuck the b280 motor (updated PRV motor with EFi, even firing order and lots of other changed) in there instead for whatever reason. Same reason is had Independent rear, effectively a whole new car, which in that basic form lasted 10 years underneath, so they did spend millions redesigning things, having the firewalls and heater boxes etc all mirrored wouldn't have been that hard to them either given sales numbers at the time..
Salman
I stand corrected. By the way wiper stalk holes would change because the wiper needs to wipe the driver's zone completely and the passenger's zone partially. All cars have wipers that change between RHD and LHD except for some badly engineered Italian cars.
Philia_Bear
Salman;25359 wroteI stand corrected. By the way wiper stalk holes would change because the wiper needs to wipe the driver's zone completely and the passenger's zone partially. All cars have wipers that change between RHD and LHD except for some badly engineered Italian cars.
or the BME E60...
or some others i can think of
Vee_Que
I sense you dislike Italian cars salmon...
Salman
There is no deep seated hatred for them just my experience which makes me wary. Until very recently they were total shitboxes that look nice and stylish but are unrefined and badly engineered. For this reason they would probably not be on top of my list. I like cars that make me feel good and I have a very unique taste so other people liking a car is irrelevant to me.
A_Volvo_Driver
Off topic, but it's amusing that he keeps on getting called Salmon :)
Philia_Bear
Mmm gravlax
deleted_user_160
its sad when you see on the TB page, that a fella picks up a 780 16v for $400. everyone here would go crazy for one.
Salman
I am used to people mistaking my name for that of a fish. It doesnt bother me any more :)
Angus242164
Quite off topic, but John at Voldat once wrecked a UK import 245 (over 10 years ago) which had various differences to equivalent Aussie models, like cable operated heater controls etc. One difference was that the wiper arms, motor, and linkages were mirror image to Aussie cars, ie: LHD spec, even though it was a RHD car, having come from the UK.
Very weird, not sure what the story behind it was, and a shame it didn't survive, it wasn't in bad condition at the time.
Vee_Que
blondejay;25411 wroteits sad when you see on the TB page, that a fella picks up a 780 16v for $400. everyone here would go crazy for one.
They were never 16v in the u.s...
