We all know owning a well-cared for Volvo S70 in 2014 means you'll probably get a few envious stares every day from other drivers. The fact that 99% of these cars absolutely refuse to rust only reinforces that. Men and women alike all enjoy what these cars had to offer back in the 90's, whether it be the "cute," stumpy rear end of the S70, or the turbocharged engines that lie beneath the hood of the V70R. When the Volvo 240 wagons finally die out in 100 years, the world will be left with S70 and V70 wagons roaming the earth. Let's keep them looking their best, but how?
Sometimes it's the little details
License plates are a necessary evil, and in some states, we are required to plaster these monstrosities on the back and front of our cars. Unlike Volvo sheetmetal, license plate brackets and hardware don't usually hold up to the elements very well. The nuts will become very rusty, and in some cases the brackets will completely disintegrate, leaving a pile of rust-dust with even the most gentle tap of the license plate.
Having a neatly mounted plate with clean nuts can change the demeanor of the vehicle from looking like a rusted out '97 Maxima, to something that has been well cared for and is appreciated by the owner.
Clean nuts and a solid, straight bracket save the day
Interior Trinkets
A few of the worst offenders to a Volvo interior are the rubber and plastic parts. Window switches, 12V plugs, and even the shift boots degrade and start to look like they've been saturated in chocolate syrup after 15 years in service.
Replacement of the shift boot, and even adding a genuine cigarette lighter to my car brightened up the center console a great deal and didn't break the bank.
Volvo Part Numbers:
Shift Boot: 9181359
Cigarette Lighter: 9442268
You don't even need to be a smoker to appreciate the clean lines of Volvo's genuine cigarette lighter accessory.
A gummed up, brown, disgusting window switch is also high on my list of interior offenders. Nothing turns me off more at a carshow than seeing a neatly modified Volvo with an interior that has had all of the details neglected. This is important - you and your passengers ride inside the car, not out. Make it a nice place to be, there is a lot to be said for a fast car that is also comfortable and inviting.
Side Markers
It's easier to get sideswiped in a 1998 Volvo than it is in a '99. Blunt, I know, but it's the truth. These little fender blinkers not only look slicker than a black plate that says "Volvo," but they increase safety as well. Any Volvo 850 or S70 can be brought into the next millenium with a simple upgrade such as this. It shows you care, it shows you're up-to-date, and it shows you want the best for your aging brick.
Volvo fanatic "Rspi" made a great video outlining the installation of these, viewable on his YouTube channel.
About the Author: Alex Fiehl
Alex is FCP's Blog Editor and an IT technician from Endwell, NY. He has over 8 years of experience working on a wide array of import makes, but lately is partial to Volvo . For some reason he just purchased a Volkswagen, and is excited to see what breaks first.
