6/16/08: In this case, the old seat stuffing held moisture next to the seat structure and caused it to nearly rust away

Removing seat stuffing from seat framing. This original cotton and horse hair upholstery material is typically prime rodent nesting material and gives old cars a wretched smell inside. Every bit of it should be removed when reconditioning the interior

Seat runners sandblasted and ready for cadmium plating-as they were originally

Seat parts completely back to clean steel-sandblasted and ready for processing

Sandblasted seat components

Original glass-these will get sent out and used as templates for new cut glass.

New, used, grille center being fitted to the new grille frame

Door latches and head light hardware being reconditioned

"Black" front parts-bumper brackets, horns and head light assemblies: reconditioned and ready for reinstallation

Blasting and painting the headlight buckets to increase these parts' chances of survival!

Headlight bucket: better than new-ready for installation

Seat parts restored-these were not painted originally, if they had been, they may have lasted longer

Seat base sprayed out in the original grey

More parts being fitted-fender welting fits perfectly. We choose to run it past and under the grille for increased longevity and a more continuous look

Fitting the new dash pad-this is done before the windshield goes in...as does all of the dash wiring

Fit and function of all the dash components is as or better than new

Chrome for the dash installed

These florescent lights are the harshest judge of body lines-the lines and fit of these body components is perfect

Typically, the driver's side hinge area on the trunk lid is "sprung" because of the trunk hold open dog-this one is perfect. We like to remove the dog so one doesn't inadvertently spring this lid

7/16/08: Fitting the front bumper. These "for-looks-only" bumpers are very fragile and are seldom even close to straight (from the brackets to the over rider bar). These new bumpers pieces fit nicely; but the brackets (not available new) and over rider bar need considerable work to get this good-lastly the bar will be sent out for re-plating as it is not available new.

Over rider bar in place after modification and adjustment to fit

Doors hung for priming and painting

Door in primer, ready for final paint

Inside parts in primer ready for finish paint

Interior parts in self etch primer-first step

Interior parts in sanding primer

Painted, done

Doors done

08/06/08: Reproduced squirter bottle frame

New glass cut to the same shape as original-even glass gets pretty beat up over time and looks shabby in a great restoration like this

Vent window molding and seals are prepped for installation. New side glass installed in reconditioned window regulators

Garnish moulding with fuzzies and wing-vent windows installed. Ready for installation into the doors.

Back glass: installing "rope-in" glass gaskets are one of those lost arts. It's seldom done well.

New engine compartment

These pictures of the back bumper/over rider bar show the bar being fitted. These bars are always beat up and seldom fit (even close). It takes time to reform this very heavy steal bar and get it perfectly shaped before sending it out for chrome plating.

8/14/08: Back glass installed

Front glass in process

Grille parts being installed in frame. New grilles inserts are not available and are painstaking to process. It's like painting a chain link fence

Adding the trinkets

When the emblems go on that means it won't be long until the car is ready to roll...

All chrome parts are carefully masked while in process. As durable as chrome plating is, tiny scratches (even from wiping dirt off) can mar the surface of a car done to this level.

V-O-L-V-O installed. We ran the fender welting through the grille area-it's better that way.

9/03/08: Modern sound deadener is an improvement over the tar impregnated felt paper originally found in Volvo classics. The new stuff will not soak up water as the original product did, and will remain serviceable indefinitely. It is rolled into the metal divots to lessen water collection.

Sound deadener fitted exactly as original

09/09/08: Finished nose, waiting for the bumper and over rider to be completed

Recovered seat installed

Better than new interior ready to be sat in

Wing Vent window assembly-perfectly rebuilt and resealed to lessen the inevitable wind noise associated with these parts

Heat and defrost cables and tubes are frequently frozen and broken. Here, all is new and functions as such. The firewall insulation is a perfect reproduction of the original

The final step in the interior is getting the floor mat hold down buttons located correctly

New, perfect reproduction, floor mats in process of installation

New fuel filler neck rubber

Re-lining the trunk for a nice look and a quieter ride

Spare tire compartment in trunk

Trunk detail shows the reconditioned fuel tank and sound deadener in place

Trunk vent tube protector not found...but carefully reproduced by Hans

Sound deadener is important for a quality job. Without it, the car is loud.

Finishing off the trunk

Found a perfect original replacement antenna at NAPA (of all places)

Hans fitting the new floor mats

New, perfect reproduction stone guards compliment the fit and finish of the rear fenders

Reconditioned high-beam switch nestles nicely between the other new elements and the driver's floor.

Salvaged correct original passenger side heat vent tube

9/15/08: Steering wheels, by their nature are prone to deterioration as they age. They are typically constructed of very rugged but thin steel covered with plastic (some older models had hard rubber). The plastic or rubber covering is the one part of the car that is most exposed to the sun. It breaks down and usually shrinks with age. Steering wheel problems are further exacerbated by flexing of the steel spine. Restoring steering wheels is a painstaking process of doing body work on a dynamic part. Special flexible fillers must be used. Lastly, the restored part is refinished with single stage, urethane paint.