Faults:

Primarily rust on floor pan, fenders, and trunk. This started at about 12 years of age, not unexpected for a car of this age.

General Comments:

Very durable vehicle.

Very reliable and safe vehicle.

As basic and sturdy as Volvos were during the late 1960s. I rebuilt (my own work) the engine at 136,000 miles. All 4 cylinders and crankshaft surfaces were within tolerances, so there was no need for machining or any internal engine surfaces.

The car took eight round trips Chicago-Boston-Maine. The last long round trip was to Chicago to Maine and Cape Cod, with 4 adults and their luggage. It could easily reach and maintain the then legal crusing speed of 70 MPH with little effort.

Faults:

Carburators needed to be rebuilt.

Engine needed to be rebuilt.

Drive shaft support had to be replaced.

Transmission is making lots of noise.

Hood hinge supports bent.

General Comments:

The car rides well.

It is underpowered, but cruises well at highway speed.

The car handles reasonably well, and has a modestly sporty feel.

Visibility is excellent.

Gas mileage is poor, around 15 mpg.

It's easy to work on. Parts are available, but expensive.

Paint and interior have held up very well.

It's been decent transportation. I want to sell it, but find it's worth almost nothing.

Faults:

Rust around the rear fenders, taillights, as well as the wheel-side corners of the rear doors. Have not had the chance to fix yet.

The son of the guy I bought it from hit a rock the size of a small basketball. This ripped off the exhaust pipe sections and both mufflers. It also punched a hole in the gas tank, and though it was repaired before I bought the car, it still leaks. Have temporarily replaced mufflers with one from a 1974 Yamaha motorcycle.

Had to clean both carburetors and replace the cracked intake manifold. Replaced all the gaskets in the process.

Float chamber plate on the rear carburetor leaks around the seal.

Had head redone, which required the replacing of two exhaust valves. Replaced head gasket in process.

Brake booster works only half the time.

Several electrical problems. Added wires to fuse box to complete it to wiring diagram standards and now the interior light, backup lights, rear defroster, and cigarette lighter work.

Mechanical fuel pump quit before I bought the car. Previous owner replaced it with an electric model from a Subaru.

Distributer quit sending spark to engine. Discovered that the number 2 cylinder spark plug wire shocks me through the rubber. I have no idea why. Have not fixed yet.

Support straps under the driver's side seat was broken when I bought it. Both front seats sag like this, so I sit really low.

Left rear tire kept going flat on a slow leak. Need to clean bead on all rims to fix and prevent this. Put spare on for now.

Needed battery. Bought one from store.

Cannot get the left rear tail light to light up for the life of me.

Right front door is hard to open depending on what kind of slope the car is parked on.

General Comments:

I bought this car for 200 dollars. I am only 16 so I can't afford much in the way of repairs. I am still in the process of repairing it, and have not yet driven it on the open road. I have very high hopes for this car, and I get lots of attention for it just sitting in my yard. It looks very cool and I love the prospect of driving it. Old Volvos are great cars for kids because they're slow, simple, cheap to buy, but expensive to fix. Therefore it encourages them to get a job. I have also heard that the engines in these run forever. I certainly hope so.