Way OT: The importance of neighbors, 1983 Volvo DL Sedan Options

[fiacra]

My 92 year old neighbor sadly is losing her ability to live independently. Just last month she was working in her yard, driving her car, and living on her own. She has now had to give up driving, can't get up and down her steps, and will need live in help. Over the years I've helped her out by fixing small problems on her car (broken window regulator, vacuum leaks, etc.), as well as diagnosing problems that have come up so she can speak knowledgeably when she talks to her mechanic. For years she has been saying that when she stopped driving she wanted to give me her car, but I never took her seriously. In response I have always told her she should give it to one of her relatives. However her granddaughter called me the other day to say she wanted me to come pick up the car. Nobody in the family wants the car as it is "too old." Clearly that's not a problem for me, or anyone else on this forum. I did meet with her daughter today and made sure this is what everyone in the family wants. Apparently everyone has modern cars and nobody wants to be driving a 42 year old car.

The car's story reads like an urban legend. She bought it new in 1983 and has always kept it in her garage. In the 22 years we have lived across the street I've never seen it parked in the street or in her driveway for more than an hour or two. It's name is Betsy, and when parked it always has a blanket over the hood because "Betsy likes a blanket on her when she's napping." She is fanatical about maintenance, gets the oil changed regularly, and during the first years she had it the car was maintained at the dealership and then thereafter at a local independent Volvo shop that is still in business. Of course, she has full records of all work done. Her file even has cut out magazine articles from when she was doing research on which car to buy. The original dealer invoice is in there as well. The original paint is glazed, but looks like a good polishing will make it look like new. There is a small crease above the passenger side wheel where she clearly grazed something (I'm guessing the wall at the end of her driveway) but otherwise there is no damage to the car and she says it has never been in an accident. Looks like the rear passenger side door handle has an issue as there is blue tape over it, but that likely is minor. There is 179K on the odometer, but it runs like a top, pulls strong, and drives smoothly. I'm sure there is work to be done, but nothing major that I can see on my first go through. Of course I already know the car fairly well, but mostly I've just dealt with individual problems and have not really looked at it from the perspective of making it a well sorted car. I'll start to dive into the cosmetics and mechanics next week, but for the moment I'll just spend some time appreciating it as is.

I guess the point of posting this is not only to share a car story, but to show how getting to know your neighbors can be such a positive force in our lives. She and I are different generations, different races, different cultures, and yet here we are getting along, relying on each other, showing kindness to each other, and improving each others worlds. When you get to know people who are different, in whatever way, be it race, class, level of education, country of origin, gender, etc. it's hard to harbor hate or fear in your heart, and you both benefit. That is something to remember in these times.

Enough rattling on, here are some quick pictures. If I remember, I'll post some once I've given it a good detailing.

[markhoward]

Thanks for sharing this Broheen. I’ve had similar experiences with this type of relationship so it resonates with me. Congrats on the new stablemate. She seems to be in nice shape and is lucky to be in such good hands.

[lbubba42614]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. I truly believe that even though the world has changed, there are still kind souls out there who help others simply out of love and respect, without expecting anything in return. In a time where there's so much negativity, we need more moments like this—more love, more compassion, and more kindness for everyone, whether they’re family, friends, or complete strangers.

[JeffBowlsby]

Its not easy be'en green...congrats.

[VaccaRabite]

Those were great cars. I have memories of them from high school - expensive cars back in the day.

Every now and then I think about buying one - but I already have more cars then I can drive.

Zach

[flipb]

Sounds like karma to me... put kindness out into the world and it'll find its way back to you. Great story!

I have fond early memories of riding in my dad's Volvo wagon of about that era.

Also, I have no expertise in this field, but I'd suggest looking into the implications of gifting vs. purchasing -- it might make everything easier if you go through a symbolic purchase ($1 or $100) before trying to title/register the car in your name. Again, I have no idea how this works in California.

[JmuRiz]

What a classic, good luck with the clean-up and congrats on the new ride. Very cool.

[tygaboy]

Good on ya, Broheen! Great story, thanks for sharing.
And remember:

VOLVO: The A stands for aerodynamic!

[SirAndy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)


PS: That street looks familiar ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[DennisV]

I guess the point of posting this is not only to share a car story, but to show how getting to know your neighbors can be such a positive force in our lives. She and I are different generations, different races, different cultures, and yet here we are getting along, relying on each other, showing kindness to each other, and improving each others worlds. When you get to know people who are different, in whatever way, be it race, class, level of education, country of origin, gender, etc. it's hard to harbor hate or fear in your heart, and you both benefit. That is something to remember in these times.

Nice story! Thanks for sharing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[Root_Werks]

What a cool story! Glad the family was smart enough to pass the car along to someone who will appreciate it.

[rgalla9146]

Good examples for all of us.

The story and the sentiments expressed are more important than the car.

[windforfun]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

[StarBear]

Good examples for all of us.

The story and the sentiments expressed are more important than the car.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
Started to get a little teary-eyed. Thanks for your love and story. An example for all.

[bkrantz]

Very nice! Now Betsy needs some Euro-spec headlights.

[Shivers]

Nice story. Good on you for helping her. I hope I can stay in my house till I’m 92. Hell I’m a mess now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[Ron914]

Great story ,
Just by my experiences with you I could tell you are a kind and helpful person . I too find myself becoming my neighborhood helpful guy who goes around fixing things for others. I enjoy helping others whenever I can , gives you a good feeling to help someone in need .

[fiacra]

Well, here we are many months later and Betsy is finally done. Since we all love pictures, I'll post a few. As always, this was way more work than I thought it would be. I'll spare everyone the long list of all the little things that got done, but suffice it to say I went through everything on this car and fixed everything that I could. I stopped short of doing a top end rebuild, but I was tempted (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) . Every brake line, vacuum line, belt, bushing, gasket, hose, mount, etc. is now new. The timing belt, tensioner, cam/crank/intermediate shaft seals were all replaced. Brakes have been flushed, as well as the transmission and coolant. I spent countless hours polishing out the paint. I've never done that before so I was afraid to burn through the paint, but it turned out nice. Not perfect, but this is original paint on a 46 year old car. Of course then the wheels looked like crap next to the paint so I had to spend even more countless hours wire wheeling them down, prepping, and then painting them. Finding original hubcaps to replace the missing ones was a bit of a challenge, but eventually the correct year car showed up in a local salvage yard. Detailing the engine and the underside of the car was also time consuming, but worthwhile. A big project, at least for me, was replacing the engine and ignition wiring harnesses. There was a period of about six years where Volvo was using insulation on the wiring that degraded with heat. It seemed like every wire I touched in the engine bay the insulation crumbled away with just light touch. When I opened up the engine wiring harness it was a mess of exposed wires. Not sure how the car was still running. Fortunately there is a Jeff Bowlsby equivalent in the Volvo world and new wiring harnesses were obtained. They came from Norway, so it took a while, but they are works of art. In three days I'm driving it down to LA to pass it on to its new owner. I'm giving it to a long time friend whose wife needs a car. Times are tough for lots of folks out there so it is a nice opportunity to help someone out who doesn't have the means to cover a big expense. It is a bit of a risk in that they are not mechanically inclined, but they have a good relationship with a local mechanic who claims he can work on these cars. In any case, it is as well sorted out as I can make it and I tried to anticipate any future repairs and make them now while the car was in my hands. Now, back to working on the VWs/Porsches.

[930cabman]

Great story, there is much positive energy in this crazed world, and Betsy shines once again

Have you given your neighbor a ride to the corner store?

[wonkipop]

ace!

those things are tanks.
my ex mother in law had one. fell asleep at the wheel in it. rolled it. and then dragged herself out of the upside down wreckage unhurt. she always remarked that the drivers door opened straight away for her to get herself out. her biggest problem was she was hanging upside down in her seatbelt.

the ones we got here had the big singular rectangle european headlights.