DWBF1
New member
- Joined
- May 2, 2005
- Location
- (suburbs of) Detroit, Michigan
Checking in with my first redblock project! I've been a whiteblock guy forever but was presented the opportunity for a very cool restoration opportunity - a 2-owner, 79k original mile 242GT. Originally it was a very nicely equipped car with a (working!) factory sunroof and air conditioning and a Pioneer cassette deck.
Chassis number is VC 24245 M 1 158416.
Story goes that the first owner let it sit for a long time after something broke, and the second owner had been trying to buy it for years as they had worked together. The first owner refused to sell but eventually it was sent to a local tow/vehicle auction somehow (maybe the first guy died, I really don't know). It had sat outside for a long time, probably on grass/dirt as evidenced by the lower body corrosion.
The second owner saved it from the junkyard, literally buying it from the high bidder - a local salvage yard. It was quite fortunate he happened to be at the auction that day. It then went to the second owner's garage, where it has sat for 15 years without any progress. Despite his best intentions to restore it, he never got around to it, so it sat.
Given the scope of work, I could not just leave this special car in the hands of any old restoration shop. I was fortunate enough to be connected with Erik Baxter, an A-class mechanic and Volvo restorer in Battle Creek, MI, who has taken on the mantle of this ominous project. Everyone should check out his page - IE Volvo restorations.
Cosmetics
Since these cars are only original once and this one has such great patina, the current plan is to keep it 100% original and not repaint it. Where we fix rust spots on the body, we will clear and fade. We may consider a respray if it makes sense, but I am really hoping to avoid that. The floors are surprisingly solid, but the frame and trans mount will be repaired with all new metal. The trunk floor and cheeks will also be replaced as they are unfortunately quite rusty. Then, a light undercoating will be applied to the underside. (Update 1/7/2020: Probably will be repainting it, because it will just look better that way).
All lights, headlight trims, and the grille will be replaced with NOS units. Rear window louvers will be added as well. Commando bumpers will be replaced with regular ones.
Wheels are still to be determined, but right now the plan is for a set of staggered 15" BBS meshes on all 4 corners. I do have the original 14" wheels but they're a bit small in my opinion.
The interior is nearly perfect with only some minor dash cracking. Upgrades will be limited to steering wheel (either an OEM Volvo Momo Monte Carlo or an ATI Indianapolis) and an R-Sport gauge cluster.
Mechanicals
As "numbers matching" isn't really a relevant metric for old Volvos, we will be going with a "stock plus" mechanical refresh and ditching the boat anchor 2.1. Current plan is as follows:
Rebuilt 94 squirter block B230FT + intercooler
Rebuilt 14T with ceramic coating
LH2.4 swap / Lostartof chips
STS lightened flywheel
93 rear end w/G80 lockerComplete 3" exhaust with Borla stainless muffler, including a 90+ ceramic coated exhaust manifold
All braking components will be refreshed.
All suspension components will be refreshed (perhaps a small drop and some IPD parts will be added)
And now, for some pictures:
How I found it:
(Nevermind the spilled sunflower seeds)
Outside:
And now, in the shop:
I will continue to update this thread as further progress is made. Looking forward to saving a very special 242 GT!
Chassis number is VC 24245 M 1 158416.
Story goes that the first owner let it sit for a long time after something broke, and the second owner had been trying to buy it for years as they had worked together. The first owner refused to sell but eventually it was sent to a local tow/vehicle auction somehow (maybe the first guy died, I really don't know). It had sat outside for a long time, probably on grass/dirt as evidenced by the lower body corrosion.
The second owner saved it from the junkyard, literally buying it from the high bidder - a local salvage yard. It was quite fortunate he happened to be at the auction that day. It then went to the second owner's garage, where it has sat for 15 years without any progress. Despite his best intentions to restore it, he never got around to it, so it sat.
Given the scope of work, I could not just leave this special car in the hands of any old restoration shop. I was fortunate enough to be connected with Erik Baxter, an A-class mechanic and Volvo restorer in Battle Creek, MI, who has taken on the mantle of this ominous project. Everyone should check out his page - IE Volvo restorations.
Cosmetics
Since these cars are only original once and this one has such great patina, the current plan is to keep it 100% original and not repaint it. Where we fix rust spots on the body, we will clear and fade. We may consider a respray if it makes sense, but I am really hoping to avoid that. The floors are surprisingly solid, but the frame and trans mount will be repaired with all new metal. The trunk floor and cheeks will also be replaced as they are unfortunately quite rusty. Then, a light undercoating will be applied to the underside. (Update 1/7/2020: Probably will be repainting it, because it will just look better that way).
All lights, headlight trims, and the grille will be replaced with NOS units. Rear window louvers will be added as well. Commando bumpers will be replaced with regular ones.
Wheels are still to be determined, but right now the plan is for a set of staggered 15" BBS meshes on all 4 corners. I do have the original 14" wheels but they're a bit small in my opinion.
The interior is nearly perfect with only some minor dash cracking. Upgrades will be limited to steering wheel (either an OEM Volvo Momo Monte Carlo or an ATI Indianapolis) and an R-Sport gauge cluster.
Mechanicals
As "numbers matching" isn't really a relevant metric for old Volvos, we will be going with a "stock plus" mechanical refresh and ditching the boat anchor 2.1. Current plan is as follows:
Rebuilt 94 squirter block B230FT + intercooler
Rebuilt 14T with ceramic coating
LH2.4 swap / Lostartof chips
STS lightened flywheel
93 rear end w/G80 lockerComplete 3" exhaust with Borla stainless muffler, including a 90+ ceramic coated exhaust manifold
All braking components will be refreshed.
All suspension components will be refreshed (perhaps a small drop and some IPD parts will be added)
And now, for some pictures:
How I found it:
Outside:
And now, in the shop:
I will continue to update this thread as further progress is made. Looking forward to saving a very special 242 GT!
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