Bear with me on what is likely going to be a long story. 5 years or so ago, I started looking for a 1998 V70 in white with a black interior (my favorite year and colors). I found one in great condition with just under 115K miles. Carfax showed no accidents and 55 service records! A/C worked and according to the seller so did the AWD. All great news – except it was in AZ. So I had to have it and had it shipped to me in MA.
My goal was to make a white V70R look-alike. So I bought a V70R front bumper and a rear factory spoiler, had them professionally painted white and installed them. I then started the rest of the “build”.
- Added Jewels headlights
- Added Jewel corners
- Correct rear bumper with correct dual exhaust surrounds
- Added Egg-crate grill
- Added Volans in nice condition with new Volvo caps
- New Continental DWS’s all around
- NOS Volvo factory 98-00 “R” mats
- Added factory fog light kit and switches and relays
- New rear, headlight and front wipers
- Wood shift knob
- All filters replaced (cabin, engine and interior) as well as oil and filter
- Replaced both front axles
- All plugs and motor mounts replaced
- Added “Dual exhaust” system from Viva Performance ($675).
Did all of this before actually driving the car. I also did a paint correction, cleaned all of the jambs to the point that they were spotless as was the engine bay. I’m embarrassed to say how much money I’ve put into this car. The car was done and registered in 2021. On its maiden voyage the tranny died. It doesn’t get much worse than that. Total heartbreak. Since then, the car was stored in my garage under a Volvo car cover. I pulled the car out last week. It’s tough to see it sitting out in the driveway. I will say that when the tranny died it ran literally perfectly. I did start it a few times over the years and it had an upper lifter tick noise (which I suspect is from not running much – but who knows). I even bought a used transmission for it (I think it has 120K on it – I’d have to look).
I have no intentions of parting it out personally. I’d like for someone to finish it – so I am selling it as-is with all of the above including the used tranny. It also comes with a set of 4, original to the car, Persus wheels with full tread Michelin tires (older but still in great shape). The build has less than 50 miles on it. I will be cleaning the interior – not because it’s dirty (that too was completely gone through) – but because it is musty inside from its long nap. To give you an idea the lengths I went to with this car – I replaced every single tiny light in the factory radio so everything that was supposed to light up would 🙂
Here are a few exterior pictures after a quick wash a few days ago. The engine bay picture was taken after the build was done in 2021. Super clean. I’ll add some interior pictures once the rain stops this morning.
This hurts – try to be gentle with the comments. $2250/bro. Bring a trailer (not running).
Thanks!
