Description
Offered for sale is my dads 1979 Volvo 343DL.
Before you read any further, this is offered as an unfinished project. The car has the Variomatic CVT gearbox and during my ownership, I found that the previous garage who replaced the belts did a terrible job on it - they replaced one side only, but with an incorrect belt (wrong width).
Rather than changing the belts I found an enthusiast who had a replacement drive unit with belts on and purchased this. I understand that it's easier to replace the drive unit than the belts. My dad and I attempted to replace the drive unit in the garage but alas, life took over. I decided to part ways with the car, then my dad offered to buy it off me so he could continue with the drive unit swap himself. He also didn't get around to this & now needs his garage back.
The car is currently not driving and will require transporting (buyer to arrange). The engine will start, but the propshaft is disconnected. We also drained the gear oil from the drive unit, started removing the drive shafts (a few bolts are rounded off) & disconnected the gear selector.
Luckily my dads garage is at the top of a steep drive, so the car will roll easy to the road for putting on a trailer/ flatbed.
The car has everything required to fix it to get it back on the road, we just ran out of time, space and enthusiasm to do it ourselves. Included in the sale is a spare drive unit, 2 x pairs of spare drive belts and two new bottles of correct gear oil. It would be great if the new owner retains the Variomatic as there's so few of them left, however I do know someone who can provide all the required parts to manual swap for £350. I will gladly put the buyer in contact.
So the car....
It's in very good condition for it's age and very low mileage (31k - believed to be genuine). It's very solid but does have marks consummate with age. The bottom of the windscreen on the drivers side has had a previous rust repair. It's solid, but it ain't pretty. It isn't a show queen by any stretch, but for it's age is in good condition. I would say it has 'patina'.
It ran and drove very well until taking off the road. The engine does take a few turns to fire, but I'm led to believe this is due to it having a mechanical fuel pump (potentially back syphoning fuel when sat). It always fires up and idles nice and smooth. It does have an oil leak, but what old car doesn't?!
Brakes, suspension, steering etc all fine - bear in mind it is an old car with no power steering and rear leaf springs!
It has some history with it and handbooks, Haynes manuals etc.
Interior needs a clean, but is in okay condition. It is missing one rear seatbelt & the headlight switch is broken (included), but can still be operated with some plyers. The stereo has never worked (you can enjoy the hum off the CVT gearbox instead!!).
It is a very very rare car and probably an easy fix for someone to get back on the road.
I'm happy to provide further photos and videos as i'm aware the ones in the ad make it look a little nicer than it is (passes the 10ft test easy!). Viewing welcome and encouraged.
Car is located in Oakworth, West Yorkshire and buyer is responsible for collection (it cannot be driven...).
The car and all the parts to get it back on the road is £1, 000 - no offers. We will consider a reasonable offer without the spare drive unit, belts etc, if a manual swap was the buyers plan.
Thanks for looking and please ask any questions. Chris
