Description
1970 (J reg) Volvo 145 DL Estate 2. 0 Manual
*** UPDATE: Starts on the key, runs beautifully and drives well (and only took a mouthful of fuel to suck the fresh fuel through!) ***
1 owner from new - 54 years and 7 months.
This Volvo 145 B20 DL Estate served a lovely elderly couple from day 1, up until their passing around 3 years ago. It was last MOT'd in November 2016, and has travelled just 2 miles since having been driven in to the garage for the final time shortly after.
It is a rare early model and also has the split rear side windows and so it appears it could possibly be a 1969 model, registered in 1970 (when they changed to single rear side windows).
Original bill of sale - from Priors Cars, Ickenham, Middlesex (dated 30th July 1970) which states "Sale of New Volvo, 145134 in Safari Yellow, complete to manufacturer's specification totalling £1732. 30" + matching original rear window sticker!
Also included is the first taxation slip on 30/ 07/ 1970 showing time of collection as 3pm - and the original Volvo owner wallet / books / owners manuals and both Volvo keys. Their is also a covering letter from the Managing Director, thanking the buyer for their custom + an A4 folder of service history and old MOT's etc.
The car is finished in Safari Yellow with a tan interior.
I have a receipt for its 1st inspection (24/ 09/ 1970) where at the same time, I have accompanying instructions requesting the fitting of a Radio (Radiomobile FT/ 258), a speaker, front fog lamps and matching mirrors. It also had a new clutch fitted under goodwill - the total, £28. 98p!
The same radio is still fitted and the paperwork and instruction manual for the radio is included too. The fog lamps have long gone, but the bumper brackets remain - and so these could easily be refitted at some point! It would look great.
As can be seen in the photos, it is described as "very original" - even though through the years it has had had repairs. The car is not in mint condition, and should be considered as a project / garage find.
It is incredibly solid. The floors look excellent, the chassis rails look great, and the inner wings look very good (etc).
It will certainly need attention to what I would describe as the "vertical spare wheel wells". These are just either side of the boot floor, next to the left and right lower rear wings. Additionally the rear left jacking point needs repair. These had been done to "garage" standards (ie not a bodyshop!) some time ago, but do need repairs, with new metal welding in. However straightforward enough.
During the most recent MOT, a new battery was fitted and a trickle charger supplied. The battery is still very good and holds perfect charge.
The interior is all complete. There is wear and tear as to be expected with originality, but everything is complete and not messed about with.
Mechanically, the car has sat still in a dry warm garage. ** UPDATE: It starts/ runs/ drives on the key. Engine is good and holds temperature perfectly. Clutch is good, and it engages all gears well. It runs really nicely, but would obviously benefit from a service. I drove it to the local Esso today, and added £25 of Super. I think the rear brakes are grabbing slightly, but no big issues as its just nuts and bolts! **
It will obviously be Tax & MOT exempt.
Update 2: Wing trims.
I had previously said that one chrome/ stainless steel wing trim-strip was missing. I have since found this inside the car - so to clarify, I have both wing trims! They just aren't fitted.
There was an incident where the elderly lady scraped the gatepost on the drivers side wing - it's been repaired, but again, to "garage" standards. The MOT station is just 400 yards from the home they built, where the car has sat safe and sound in the garage every night since. The well known local garage did not take advantage of the owners who were approaching their 90's, and instead continued to help them out - the brief was to return it to be shiny and presentable - just as it needed to be for them, and keep the costs down (I'd have it done again as there are a few ripples).
The V5 document was with the solicitor handling the estate (who have misplaced it). It may / may not turn up (assume not).
A full receipt will be given on sale and the buyer can choose to collect it from either my home address or the secure farm where it is currently kept due to the sale of the house. Personally, I would apply for "change of address" rather than new keeper, so as not to add another owner. The buyer can decide if they want to re-register it.
An absolutely fantastic project, and a very rare care that is shooting up in value!
Overseas buyers welcome:
I can help delivery to the port of Harwich, if overseas buyers are interested. Please feel free to ask. 1 owner from new. Original bill of sale, first taxation slip, book pack and both keys. A4 folder full of invoices / receipts / letters. Some "recent" history (Volvo main dealer, Frinton-on-Sea + Renault Main dealer, Thorpe Le Soken + Local garages). Old MOT history too. Absolute unique gem of a car and a total time warp!
