If you have followed our sister site, BarnFinds.com, for any length of time then you will recognize this yellow wagon. This 1972 Volvo 145 has been my daily driver all winter and even though it continues to plod on without many needs, I have decided that it is time to move on. It seemed like a great way to introduce our new site too because old Volvos like this make for perfect Credit Card Classics. They can be found on the cheap and they can be made to run indefinitely. This one has a unique look to it and benefits from many subtle upgrades. Keep reading to learn more and email me if you are interested. I’m asking $4,000 and the car is located in Boise, Idaho.
I mentioned that these cars are practically indestructible. That fact can be attributed to what is under the hood. That little four cylinder is fitted with five big main bearings and with regular maintenance there is no reason this car couldn’t run for another quarter million miles before it will need rebuilt. I’m sure you have already heard about Irv and his 1800 which has racked up 3 million miles. This particular B20 has been converted from fuel injection to a dual SU carb setup. It runs well and pulls hard. I’m sure the headers add a few ponies, but I was actually thinking about swapping them out for a cast iron unit to cut down on noise. The engine bay is clean and I even sourced the panel that was missing there between the radiator and grill in the same yellow color.
With a few upgrades on the engine, you know that the suspension has been given attention too. iPd sway bars are fitted and the previous owner mentioned that 240 springs and a LSD were installed out back. I haven’t confirm all the changes done underneath, but I do know that the car corners flat and is a pleasure to fling into corners. Most wagons feel wallowy, but not this 145. The lack of power steering does necessitate some forearm strength at low speed, but the extremely tight turning radius and big steering wheel make parking lot maneuvers bearable. The brakes work great too. The front is starting to squeak a little, so new pads are in the near future, but the power brake booster and four wheel disc brakes do their job exceptionally well.
Volvo must have added something special to the paint back in the day because this stuff is tough. The body has its fair share of parking lot dings and scratches, but the yellow paint on this car has held up very well. There are some areas of rust that I had been meaning to address, but never got around to. Some POR15 and Fluid Film could work wonders at harboring the spread of that nasty stuff. I have included photos of all the problem areas in the gallery, but none of them keep the car from being usable and safe. This is one of those projects that you can drive while you slowly address the cosmetics. The windshield does have a crack, so you will want to treat any rust when you replace it with the improved glass and gasket from a 240.
I have sorted a few things here and there already, but as with any old car that is driven everyday, there will be plenty of little projects to work on in the evenings. I would recommend loosing the stereo and just replacing it with a blank out plate or trip meter for the inevitable rally this summer. The seats have been reupholstered at some point in time and a few auxiliary gauges have been added to the pod under the dash. They all work as do all the lights and switches. The horn and heater motor need to addressed though. The heater motor works sometime, but has a tendency to stick so I’m guessing it needs new bushing. Enough hot air moves through the system without it though that I haven’t found it to be a problem.
I will include the rare round gauge cluster I sourced from Australia and the next owner can decide which route they want to go with this car. It has already been modified a bit, so I wouldn’t feel bad about adding a few more sensible touches. CB radio, GT cluster, and more sporting bucket seats were on my list. The car also came with a arm rest/center console that will be included and should be properly installed. I pulled it out because the 240 shift boot installed on it was hanging up. It just needs a leather boot and a few screws to go back in. I am even going to throw in a cool fuel can that fits in one of the two spare wheel wells, so there’s already lots of trick parts here to play with.
This Volvo may not be the most exhilarating classic car I have ever owned, but it is without a doubt the most versatile. It has traversed slick roads and swallowed whole truck loads of cargo with ease. Other cars might be more fun to drive, but I have a feeling that few could provide as reliable and safe daily transportation as this old Volvo has. I will be sad to see it go, but there are more cars out there to experience. So, please feel free to leave any questions you may have in the comments below and be sure to look through all the photos here. Here’s hoping it goes to a good home!
Jesse.
Great car–but then, it’s taken a lot of people a lot of years to see past the (undeserved stimga) of the “family wagon,” and see it for what it really is: a (relatively) fast, NIMBLE, QUIET, ENCLOSED, comfortable, cliimate-controlled, DRY, 1/4 ton (or half ton, if domestic and full-sized) pickup truck! (When compared to a full-size, half ton, pickup with [uninsulated/heated] cap).
And that’s a really cool aux. fuel tank! Was that a factory-authorized racing/rally piece, or just an accessory, or aftermarket? Does it really fit down inside an unused space, as implied? I would LOVE to see a pic of that, in situ….
And could you please explain more about the genesis of “Credit Card Classics?” (Great name, btw!). I’ve been an enthusiastic (new) member of barnfinds.com, but only for the last couple of months.
During which time, I must admit, I’ve felt I’ve been “missing something” about how your “business model” for barnfinds.com works (as I don’t see any advertising or other revenue stream?) and I’m wondering if barnfinds.com was the first step in a rather ingenious “Master Plan” that includes “Credit Car Classics?”
(And please feel free to tell me to “mind [my] own business”–LOL). I’m only curious because I admire your creativity, energy and business saavy.
And I wish you EVERY SUCCESS with Credit Card Classics! If it’s as successful, financially, as barnfinds.com is entertaining, I think some of us might be saying “Hey, Jesse! Remember me? I knew you back in the “barnfinds.com” days!” (Except, I fear we may have to make an appointment, with your new secretary, even to get to say that much! Ha ha!).
And, in my opinion, I think your “ask” on the Volvo is reasonable, if the underside looks as good as what I can see of it, so far, and looks as good as the rest of the car. But do leave the headers–that is so cool!
I’d actually love to HEAR those headers, at idle and “on song”–and a short video would be a great sales tool, right?
So FIRE that BAD BOY UP!!! LOL
Best,
Peter
Congrats Peter! You have the honor of posting the first comment on the new site! That tank is a factory piece and it fits nicely in the wheel well on the passenger side. The spare is on the driver’s side so it works great. Credit Card Classics will hopefully allow us to feature the cars that we kept wanting to post on Barn Finds, but that didn’t quite fit – namely fun affordable daily drivers. Hopefully everyone will enjoy it. Thanks for the kind words, but you may be giving me too much credit. We do have some advertising on Barn Finds right now and will continue to look for ways to monetize both sites. Our main concern is making things enjoyable for everyone involved. Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for us. Thanks for your support!
~ Boy, is my timing off! Of course, I really didn’t expect for the 145 to become available so quickly after my purchase of an ’84 Volvo 242. I mentioned earlier how similar this is to my first [of 20] bricks, even to the color. And how nice it would look along side my two 740 wagons, and the more recent 240 two door. Ahh well, there may be yet another opportunity. I can hope.
You’re going to miss this one, Jesse.
SC
You may still get the chance Scot as I haven’t had a single bite on the wagon yet. It’s a great driver and isn’t something you see very often, but I guess it takes a special person to appreciate it. Please send in a photo of the 242!
~ I hope someone quickly recognizes the value that you are offering in your 145, Jesse.
. Here are a a few pictures of the 242 from the moments immediately before I decided that I had to have just one more brick in my life.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.998653756830309&type=1
Wow, it looks like it’s in great shape! Love the color too.
Would be so tempted to add a good set of Vredestein or Nokian Hakkapeliitta ice tires, and go blasting around on frozen lakes….
Well, if it doesn’t sell soon I might just have to do that! It already has Vredesteins on it, but there not snow tires. Oh, and there aren’t any frozen lakes around here. Maybe I will have to pay you a visit up there in Michigan!
great new site. i love daily drivers and this will be another way to showcase them. also very happy to see the the business grow. as for the brick, i am surprised it has not already sold. lots of nice updates to a safe daily driver. great idea.
I like the concept of this site!!, as I can sometimes scrape-up 4-5000 clams for something usable. As I’m typing this, I’m looking out at a totally Frozen-over Lake Huron. Ice racing is a bit tough here, but up north, its almost mandatory and do it on studded tires. Yup, Michigan is the place for ice racing fun.
Jesse, with a name like Mortensen you should be driving the Swedish Volvo !!!! My parents had a 1973 145 and it would be great to buy it for old times sake. Just a shame I am on the wrong side of the Atlantic……..
I stumbled upon your 145 while randomly searching Craigslist and I am truly smitten! It looks to be a very well rounded wagon and i may have a few sleepless nights trying to decide whether to sell one of my current Volvo herd and fund this purchase!
Regards,
Your local SLC Volvo nut.
Michael.
You say NO RESERVE. Your reserve is $2,500. No reserve means the bidding starts at $0
A reserve is a hidden minimum Danny. You can read more about it right on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/reserve.html
The reserve has nothing to do with the starting bid. Some people like to start their auctions low to generate more interest, but they set a reserve to protect themselves. That technique has always bothered me so I was trying to be more upfront.
“No reserve means the bidding starts at $0”
No, it doesn’t. Guess you don’t watch Barrett-Jackson, or have even the most basic understanding of eBay.
Reserve (or lack thereof) has nothing to do with the starting bid.
Jesse,
My wife and I were delighted to read your comments, which I’ve reprinted, below:
“Congrats Peter! You have the honor of posting the first comment on the new site! That tank is a factory piece and it fits nicely in the wheel well on the passenger side. The spare is on the driver’s side so it works great. Credit Card Classics will hopefully allow us to feature the cars that we kept wanting to post on Barn Finds, but that didn’t quite fit – namely fun affordable daily drivers. Hopefully everyone will enjoy it. Thanks for the kind words, but you may be giving me too much credit. We do have some advertising on Barn Finds right now and will continue to look for ways to monetize both sites. Our main concern is making things enjoyable for everyone involved. Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for us. Thanks for your support!”
In fact, I AM feeling “honored” to have posted the first comment on your new website.
And, as it happens, I do have one or two ideas or suggestions to either “monetize” the sites or otherwise improve traffic, and therefore, increase any “click through” revenue they might be generating.
But I’d rather embarrass myself in private, than here on in your forums, in case my ideas suck! LOL So I’ll send you an email, at the email you listed in the beginning of this entry, on your Volvo 145.
Thanks again for your kind comments–and keep up the good work!
Peter
Hi Peter, I never received your email. Could you try resending it?