Major Ledfoot
markc88;60962 wroteThats a very cool car. I wish someone would buy that orange one on gumtree atm so i dont weaken and make the call.....
Go for it! If I get another 144, it will be that blue 73 one which Ben used to own.
Al - your 145 came up really well after a wash. Have you found any rust? And what are your plans for the car?
bigal
Thanks guys.
Rust:
Very minimal. One bit below the back right window. I can access both sides of it and will dig it out, sand with the Dremel and dab on some 3M Rust Converter Primer Sealer. I will get the glass popped out next year and sorted and checked professionally, probably have to get a finger-nail size metal patch welded in.
There is some surface rust around the back left wheel guard where it's had a light ding on something, that will scrub off with some CLR and a scrub pad. Other than that is just the very light surface rust on small stone chips and scratches that'll come out in a cut polish.
Plans for the car:
It'll be a weekend driver and a slow rejuvenation project.
There's plenty to do on it before it'll pass rego inspection. I hope to get it on the road by mid summer and I'll keep you all updated here on the progress.. lots of fun ahead!
bigal
Had a spare half hour last night so started the polishing. What a difference!
Major Ledfoot
That paint is shining up nicely. Is it a Swedish-built or an Australian-built car?
BTW, Redwood Chair on Turbobricks sells replacement rubber sealing strip aka window scraper rubber which fits into the original moulding on the lower edge of the door's window opening.
bigal
In the chassis ID it has a '9' in the 7th position and according to most research results that means it was assembled in Australia. Hopefully it wasn't a friday arvo drunk aussie edition. It's still here and in good shape 41+ years on so must be a good one :-)
I like to think the Complete Knock-Down kit was made and packed in Sweden, assembled in Australia.
It also has the local Dulon colour information sticker.. 'Wattle 566-13971'.
Major Ledfoot
That colour was also used on the locally built version of the VW 'Kombi" in 1974 too.
Edit: 13971 is the Dulux paint code for it.
1971_144GL
Hello Al,
I'm new to this forum and only a recent import to Launceston. I am trying to find a 145 myself to bring here, and your success gives me hope that they are still about. It would be fun to see your car in person sometime. I have repaired most problems on a 140 at some point or another, so I may be able to help with some local advice if you get stuck. Hopefully we can scare the neighborhood with old volvo's again in the near future. There is a shortage on the streets, and I have not seen one yet. David
bigal
Hi David, great to meet you (online). We'll have to catch up for sure. One of my brothers and I have Beer n Volvo sessions, you'll have to come round and join in.
The old 145 is a rare beast now hey! I often head out the back with a cup of coffee, admire its beauty and think how lucky I am to find such a cool old 145! Getting some wanted ads out should help you locate one plus the Volvo community is very helpful in keeping an ear out.
I'm currently working on the front left brake caliper. I have the old sticking piston/s problem. Got the caliper off yesterday, 2 pistons out, other 2 are nice and stuck.
What era 145 are you after?
bigal
Front left brake caliper off and all pistons out. Had a couple of well stuck pistons but RP7, a hammer and a flat head screw driver did the trick. Got a couple of rebuild kits on the way and will do the front right soon.
familyman
What's the liquid in the oil pan? (Are you using water to make it easier to clean the brake fluid out afterwards, or something?)
bigal
Mostly water from a rinse down. Bit of brake cleaner, brake fluid and oil from previous changes. To dispose of responsibly.
familyman
Ah, ok - sorry - always looking to learn new ways of doing stuff.
1971_144GL
Hi Al,
If we can make that beer before the 18th you can let me know parts you need so far. I will be going on the ferry then and have access to my volvo hoard in Melbourne, and even I forget what I have until I go looking for something. 140 calipers can get very stuck sometimes, and I have a couple of spare sets if it comes to it. I've also had good luck with the FCP OEM rubber brake lines. I have made up tools for doing the front control arm bushes when you get to them.
The 145 is a rare thing now - makes me regret the two I have owned and let slip through to simms metal - for good reasons at the time. I am hoping to be able to buy a 1974 that I know of. I would particularly like a 1973, but in the end I don't think I can be that fussy - anything without structural rust or major welded in body panel damage. It is a pity that we don't have the equivalent of the English "how many are left", it's amazing to see how few there are for such a large population. They would have to be close to being the rarest volvo model in Australia now?
Excellent to see one being preserved, and extra cool that it has original paint.
familyman
> The 145 is a rare thing now
The 70s 244s with the same rear tailights as the late 144s - aren't far behind them.
bigal
David, I'll send you a PM and arrange to catch up. I do need some parts too.. Thanks for the offer.
Update for all - Got the caliper back together last night. Should have it on the car this weekend.
Major Ledfoot
^This reminds me - I need new brake lines for the 140 trio....
Nice work Al, this thread is very inspiring.
Crabolsky140
bgpzfm142;60964 wrotemarkc88;60962 wroteThats a very cool car. I wish someone would buy that orange one on gumtree atm so i dont weaken and make the call.....
Go for it! If I get another 144, it will be that blue 73 one which Ben used to own.
Al - your 145 came up really well after a wash. Have you found any rust? And what are your plans for the car?
How might you do that prey tell? Got a line on another?
Major Ledfoot
Crabolsky140;62120 wrotebgpzfm142;60964 wrote
Go for it! If I get another 144, it will be that blue 73 one which Ben used to own.
How might you do that prey tell? Got a line on another?
There is a 74 144 on Gumtree in Melbourne at the moment - an orange one. But the only 144 I want is the blue one you used to have. Any news of it? Is the new owner thinking of selling it?
1971_144GL
I am collecting that orange 144 in a couple of weeks - matched the scrap mans offer as I don't like to see them go to scrap. Orange is a cool colour. The cars future will depend on the extent to which the rust has got in, but I am hopeful based on the images. In any event parts have become hard enough to come by that it is worth saving them where possible. I have had a long term plan to install fuel injection and modern transmission into one of these cars - an idea I would still like to get out of my system. But perhaps the right 145 will still turn up first.
Crabolsky140
Bob no that one has disappeared for the time being. Not sure where it ended up. I needed the cash at the time for my 142, but do regret that it's gone. I will keep my eyes open for another 144 for you. Aren't you based in Sydney?
Good to hear the orange is here on the forum. There are the two 74 142s still around in the western suburbs of Melbourne. One for parts and one for resto. The photos are somewhere here on the forum.
