I've got a chance to buy a 780, good idea?

ep3_lol · Post by **ep3_lol** » 23 Mar 2011, 17:53

Hey all. I was talking to a local Volvo mechanic a few weeks ago who normally has an assortment of cars for sale, and he just happened to have a derelict 780 sitting behind his shop. I am always fond of rare and obscure cars, so the 780 has an obvious draw for me. I was looking for a 240, but the 780's obscurity could change my mind.

The main problem, of course, is that the car has been sitting quite some time (3 1/2 years judging by its most recent registration date on the license plate). The tires were flat and who knows what has decided to call it home, but there was no surface rust (of course) and it looked like it was still in manageable condition. I know these tend to rust behind the interior trim under the rear window, so that's obviously something I would look for if I decide I want the car. Are there any other major issues I should look for on this car aside from the normal 20 years old/been sitting for 3 years issues that cars have?

Also, the ultimate goal of whatever Volvo I get will be a heavily modified racecar. I know the car is rare and I would almost feel bad about abusing and modifying such a rarity so heavily. I realize that all the body panels are unique and that putting it in a wall would probably be the end of its life. Is there anything terribly special about these cars besides the low numbers and the body?

Post by **kcodyjr** » 28 Mar 2011, 05:56

Yeah, very special; they're gorgeous, loaded, and outperform most other 7xx/9xx series.

They have the rear Nivomat, and a factory sound system with outboard amps and in-dash EQ, none of which has drop-in replacements. I have heard of them being converted to normal 7xx/9xx suspension. Every part whose shape matters is unique to this model, but it shares most functional components such as relays and engine components.

If it's the 4cyl turbo, it's the same red block as the rest of 'em, and you should snare it. If it's the 6cyl, don't touch it.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 28 Mar 2011, 06:07

Side note, if you're looking for a racer, consider an 850. You can have one in your hands for $1500 - or less, if you can find just the right kind of abuse on it - and they're abundant, should you lose a pissing contest with one of those walls.

Don't let them being FWD throw you off, the passive rear steering more than makes up for it. They're downright zippy right from the factory, and everything between the frame and the pavement can be upgraded. It's also better in a frontal collision, especially off-center head-ons.

That said - a high performance 780 would be rare indeed, and the 2dr RWD coupe is more, well, racer-ish.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 28 Mar 2011, 06:41

What kind of racing are we talking about here?

bugeye58 · Post by **bugeye58** » 31 Mar 2011, 08:47

He must have decided against it.
I'd love to get my hands on a 780.

I've embarrassed a few on our local road course with my 740 Turbo wagon!
Jeff

ep3_lol · Post by **ep3_lol** » 31 Mar 2011, 09:17

I haven't quite decided anything yet, still waiting to graduate. The car is just sitting and no one is actively trying to sell it so I'm sure it will still be there in a couple of months.

It will be for road courses. If I stay in the Southeast, tracks like Carolina Motorsports Park, Road Atlanta, and anything else in the area. And FWD is out of the question. That's all I've ever owned, I'm ready for a change. Also, my dad had a 5-speed '94 850 a few years ago and I was never impressed with it. The 780 is a 4-cylinder, but I don't remember if the guy said it was turbo or n/a. He did say that the previous owner (now deceased, another bummer about the car) had started gathering parts for a manual swap, which would be absolutely necessary for my preferences.

As far as all that interior stuff goes, the interior on this particular one looked rather rough. The seats and wood trim were in bad cosmetic shape (or at least the glaze on the wood trim, can't say I know much about it). I guess if most of it isn't working that would only help things. No point in preserving it if it doesn't work, could probably get the car cheaper as well.

As a side note, I've seen a white 780 in nice shape on campus twice this week. Never noticed it before, I'll have to keep my eye out from now on.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 31 Mar 2011, 19:17

Much as I love Volvos, I think for that purpose I'd be looking at a BMW E30.

ep3_lol · Post by **ep3_lol** » 31 Mar 2011, 21:30

I've actually wanted an E30 for the longest time, but I am just tired of seeing them. It seems like every other car at the weekends I work is an E30. I want something different. I'm not really concerned with going fast, I'm just in it for a bit of fun.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 03 Apr 2011, 21:38

If the 780 is a four-cylinder, it's the turbo. I have heard of manual swaps being done along with conventional suspension.

The '94 850 5spd wasn't a turbo, so I'm not surprised you didn't like it. I've got an NA wagon and have had an NA 5spd, and wasn't impressed either. My 97 GLT has the LPT and AT, and goes like a raped ape. It takes a Vette to stay anywhere near me coming off the line. Hopped up Civics make for barely an appetizer.

You could also consider an S70 T5 AWD, those can be had in 5-speed, and have been pushed well over 300hp, further if you want to put stronger rods in it. Do you think the passive rear steering would be a help or a hindrance for driving like that? I honestly wouldn't know, I just know my 97 bends its path as though on rails in the New England twisties under leaden foot.

If, however, you plan to do a whole lotta ripping down and turning it into a purpose-built racer, then it seems to me the 780 is very good to the purpose; a 2dr coupe with a nice low center of gravity, well known and easily available transmission swap for a well understood and nigh indestructible non-interference engine. Betcha it'll somehow look just as good with racing buckets as with the original Italian leather.

If you do it, please do let us know if you're in a televised race with it. I'd love to see that.

ep3_lol · Post by **ep3_lol** » 05 Apr 2011, 20:24

The engine is actually a secondary concern for now. I've got a good friend with a full machine shop and very high mechanical skill, so some crazy drivetrain that you've probably never seen in Volvo before is a possibility...if I could do it today, think big, nasty diesel of some sort