- Joined
- Oct 13, 2008
- Location
- NE Ohio
Here is my attempt at a project thread. Please bear with me.
Back in 2015 a good friend of mine was ready to purchase his first Volvo, and a fellow member (Svenski) informed me of a super clean '88 744 turbo at his Volvo dealership.
My friend and I went to look at the car and he knew he wanted it...
A 744 Turbo AW71 White w/ hooker's blood red interior. 185k on the clock, but looked brand new inside, out, and under. It was traded in by a former SCCA racer with the name of Patron. It was his wife's car that they ordered through the Tourist & Diplomat Sales Program on one of their trips to Sweden. Within a month I gave him a 13c/90+manifold to replace the leaking Garrett turbo. We turned up the boost to 14psi, and went through a head gasket shortly after. The HG was replaced and it wasn't 2 months before the Kool-Aid man came to visit. Shortly after that, he sold the cleanest 740 I've ever seen.
Fast forward 3 years and I see it for sale on CL thanks to [Edit]: 89_740Turbo. Despite the PO's best attempts to remove decals, I was able to identify the car via the outline of SCCA and High mileage decals that the old racer had added before my friend purchased the car. He had it priced at a high $13k but it had a new (to the car) drivetrain. A LS1/T56 out of a '99 firebird, and some twin turbos to boot. I obviously haggled a bit, and got the car for a deal.
I got off work early and immediately withdrew my Engagement ring/Mortgage Down Payment, and hopped in my buddy's car to Canton. After a short visit I was on my way home with my own personal time capsule of 530hp (@ a more reasonable price to boot). Much of the PO's quality of workmanship left much to be desired. It came with great parts w/ poor execution, but I am slowly making this car my own. I am currently 1.5yrs into my ownership and have made much progress. Pics of said progress to follow.
I hope you all enjoy reading this journey as much as I enjoy sharing it with you.
The Pics w/ Moose out the sunroof are circa b230ft power
Back in 2015 a good friend of mine was ready to purchase his first Volvo, and a fellow member (Svenski) informed me of a super clean '88 744 turbo at his Volvo dealership.
My friend and I went to look at the car and he knew he wanted it...
A 744 Turbo AW71 White w/ hooker's blood red interior. 185k on the clock, but looked brand new inside, out, and under. It was traded in by a former SCCA racer with the name of Patron. It was his wife's car that they ordered through the Tourist & Diplomat Sales Program on one of their trips to Sweden. Within a month I gave him a 13c/90+manifold to replace the leaking Garrett turbo. We turned up the boost to 14psi, and went through a head gasket shortly after. The HG was replaced and it wasn't 2 months before the Kool-Aid man came to visit. Shortly after that, he sold the cleanest 740 I've ever seen.
Fast forward 3 years and I see it for sale on CL thanks to [Edit]: 89_740Turbo. Despite the PO's best attempts to remove decals, I was able to identify the car via the outline of SCCA and High mileage decals that the old racer had added before my friend purchased the car. He had it priced at a high $13k but it had a new (to the car) drivetrain. A LS1/T56 out of a '99 firebird, and some twin turbos to boot. I obviously haggled a bit, and got the car for a deal.
I got off work early and immediately withdrew my Engagement ring/Mortgage Down Payment, and hopped in my buddy's car to Canton. After a short visit I was on my way home with my own personal time capsule of 530hp (@ a more reasonable price to boot). Much of the PO's quality of workmanship left much to be desired. It came with great parts w/ poor execution, but I am slowly making this car my own. I am currently 1.5yrs into my ownership and have made much progress. Pics of said progress to follow.
I hope you all enjoy reading this journey as much as I enjoy sharing it with you.

The Pics w/ Moose out the sunroof are circa b230ft power
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