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.

[windforfun]

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