A car can age beautifully, this 34-year-old Volvo is proof! Because of his daily work - restoring old-timers and young-timers - there are always new people for him to meet, but also special cars that are given a new life in his workshop. The networks are always active and through contacts Quirin has already built up a nice private collection of youngtimers and classics. His latest acquisition is this beautiful Volvo 340 DL from the first owner, which was perfectly maintained and economically driven (mileage now 147.000).
His wonderful mavericks are gone except the Volvo a Skoda 105 L (1979), NSU Prinz 4L (1972), Princess 2000 (1979), Audi 60 (1967), VW Beetle (1972), Citroën XM (1989), Volvo 440 (1992), DAF 46 (1975), Jaguar XJ (1997), Hymer (1979) and a Cadillac Fleetwood (1979).
ease of operation
Quiryn: “For me, the Volvo 340 DL is an attractive car, a useful option is the third door and the folding rear seat. Simply comfortable with good driving characteristics. The well-known variomatic increases the ease of operation. I therefore intend to use this Volvo for daily use to and from my workshop and, of course, as an eye-catcher for the company. I have always had great admiration for the technical ingenuity of the van Doorne's. Dutch manufacturer with the sophisticated transmission that deserved much more success. I understand that many enthusiasts have come from the former DAF owners, with more of the 300 series now being released. The advanced ages play a major role in this. Given the impeccable condition of my red Volvo 340 DL, I don't have to explain that you can fall in love with this car?"
New class from Volvo
DAF was at the cradle of the 300 series, after the takeover of Volvo, the former DAF 66 was transformed into a Volvo 66 through a few changes. The first 343 was already being developed as a DAF 77 (after the 33, 44, 55 and 66) . The loot for Volvo became a connecting link in the model range. With the arrival of the Volvo 343, the former DAF dealers received a broader program and the Volvo dealers a more compact model.
Volvo 300club
Since 2001 there has been a national club of enthusiasts who want to keep the classic Volvos on the road for as long as possible. It is important to share knowledge, in which the social aspect plays an important role. Friendships even arise among the new owners. The Volvo 300 series is already becoming rare. Reason enough to give this reliable and safe car a good future. It is, despite everything, a piece of Dutch car history, isn't it?
It was quite a progress when we switched from the Fiat 127 to the Volvo 343 at the National Police. I have driven quite a few Volvos. The version with a diesel engine was not a success: slow and very noisy. We could be heard from afar, especially at night. But very reliable.
Even in the then much colder winters than they are now, going to work 40 km away by motorcycle became a bit too much at some point. That's why I was looking for a car to get through a winter. He became a keeper and that's how I drove him for at least 6 years. It was a manual 340 with a rotten front. I replaced that. A crack in the ignition unit caused scenes. Occasionally he hiccuped but sometimes he didn't want to start. The 83er 340 had that thing hanging against the front next to the horn. Maybe if….?
So try. During starting, it did not start, but simply pressed the horn during starting, so that the front cover and the ignition unit vibrated and…. Yes! He then started immediately. That's how I drove it for a few years.
In fact, the 340 was a beat up thing when I bought it for 500 old guilders, but it has served me EXCELLENTLY. The most memorable car of all I've driven. Even our now grown children say in unison that they liked that car the best of all. The 340 really can't go wrong with me, although I haven't had it for a long time. That 1400 Renault engine was very reliable. A great car. Period.
As a second car we have a Honda City with CVT, the Can Doorn transmission also drives fantastic.
I live in the Philippines Volvo is not well known there.
A great beautiful and fine cars
I prefer the first series from around 1978