GTO Wagon?

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gto-wagon

My parents had a 1969 Pontiac LeMans that slowly vanished from cancerous rust after only 15 years. I remember arguing with my parents that I could have fixed its 326 V8 before they had it towed to the junkyard, but seeing as you could watch the road speed by through the rusted floor boards, it probably wouldn’t have been worth it. So while my buddies in high school tore up the streets in their Mercury Cougars and Dodge Chargers, I puttered along in an ’81 Corolla.

Somehow this enterprising Ebayer has turned a ’68 Tempest wagon into a GTO clone without it falling apart in a pile of dust. From end looks soooo much better with those rotating headlight covers. Bidding ended at over $11k without reaching reserve. Buy it now at $14k!

Ramps vs. Jackstands

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RhinoRampTM12000I have a confession to make. I let the car go over 11k miles between oil changes. The first time I did the job I had gotten so fed up with an overtightened filter that I’ve had garages to do the job since then. I’ve been wanting to do the job myself lately since I’ve been nursing some oil leaks. I just procrastinated.

Back when I had my 740T I used to do my own oil changes. I made a few mistakes out of inexperience (and lack of internet resources in 1994), including opening the plug over my bare hand while the oil was still scalding hot, and dropping my wagon over the end of the ramps. Since I got the black brick I’ve been using jacks and stands to work under the car. This makes sense for suspension work but adds extra labor to what should be a quick job. So last week I finally got a new set of ramps and it made the oil change a breeze. No Dukes of Hazzard jumps off the end this time. Just a quick twist of the plug, a twirl of the filter and 4 quarts of Castrol GTX high-mileage at 10W30 and in 20 minutes it’s over. I’ll easily be able to do that 3-4 times a year.

I recommend oil filter pliers over the universal or strap type. There’s just not a lot of room to maneuver so it’s easier to just claw the thing and twist. After trips to AutoZone I was unable to get a new drain plug washer so I flipped the old one and have no problems. Now I’ve got to get a case of  drain plug washers.

You Can Ride in the Trunk

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I’ve been doing road trips to camps all summer. This week is gymnastics in Paramus, so I’ve been piling 5 girls into the brick for the 25 mile trip. The 3rd seat is nice in that it doesn’t require a booster seat; the belt is low enough that it fits 5 and 6 year olds. When I tell the kids they’re going to have to ride in the trunk they laugh and laugh.

Claire is thrilled to sit in the front passenger seat, but the Jonas Brothers are never loud enough. Sigh. Is it too much to wish to have my daughters grow up to be Mastodon fans?

Black Death on Wheels

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joes-demo-brick

This war-weary brick was preparing for an epic confrontation at the Sussex, NJ state fairgrounds a couple weeks ago. I wasn’t able to catch the evenings event but spoke with the owner, Joe, and found out this was his third demolition derby with a Volvo 240. He totaled his first 244 but this 245 lived to smash another day after an oil fire put him out in the middle of competition last year. He tells me he makes the entry fee by selling plastic interior parts to bricksters in Europe.

I tried to contact the driver last week to find out how he did but haven’t heard back. Joe, if you’re out there, send us a report!

Volvo 240 Wagon Specs

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Volvo Wagon Specs, 1990-1993:

  • 2.3 liter / 141 cui fuel-injected four cylinder
  • 114 hp, 136 f/p torque
  • EPA – 20 mpg city / 25 mpg highway
  • 0-60mph – 10.1 seconds
  • Wheelbase, in. – 104.3
  • Overall Length, in. – 190.7
  • Overall Width, in. – 67.7
  • Overall Height, in. – 57.5
  • Curb Weight, lbs. – 3051
  • Cargo Volume, cu. ft. – 76.0
  • Seating Capacity – 7
  • Front Head Room, in. – 37.9
  • Max. Front Leg Room, in. – 40.1