Just acquired this

Started the slow process of getting it back up to A1 standards.

That spare has never been used - the date code on the tyre is 0519, so has been replaced more recently - and I can feel pretty safe in saying this one has never been used for a tip run.

Been busy cleaning and making a snagging list. Nothing major. Calipers need a repaint. I would like to have them pro refurbished but it only had new brake fluid in January so I'm loathe to remove them just for the sake of it. That being the case I'll mask it all off and repaint them, either silver or a very light gold.

Thanks Logan. The PO had the wheels pro refurbished a few years ago and they're still, fortunately, like new.

Next jobs are to paint the calipers and disc bells, paint the underside of the sills (they're grotty out of sight, but not rusty), have one small coin sized dent removed (I'll get a paintless dent repair done on that), and Lanoshield the undersides.

Longer term jobs - the exaustmis solid but rusty, so may get a stainless replica made up, nothing too loud or silly. Battery is 5 years old so when it comes out of hibernation in the spring I'll replace it.

Ditto the Cambelt and aux belt - they were replaced 9 years ago, and while that equates to barely 5000 miles travelled in that time I won't take the chance. Volvo say 10 years and that's what i'll stick with.

And the tyres are barely worn but are 9 years old, so they'll be replaced anew in the spring. In all I reckon I'll have an 8 or 900 pound bill come April, but while it'll make me bum squeak I can afford it.

It has a full Volvo dealer history and while I am more than capable of servicing it myself I am very tempted just to get the dealer to do it. Verts in this condition are all but extinct, and in this condition with a full dealer history must surely make it unique?

It has been a concours entrant in the none too distant past, but that's not for me. I want to actually use it, albeit only in summer sunshine, and don't want the effort and stress of cleaning the undersides and inside wheel arches after every outing. I want to keep it as a practical driver (as well as summer toy it'll be a backup scoot should one of the family cars break down) but maintain it to such a standard that a future owner in 20 or 30 years could get it up to concours appearance with minimal effort. So Lanoshield it'll be - inexpensive, simple to apply, very effective protection, and can be removed with a citrus cleaner should a future owner desire.

Speaking of concours, the last time I personally saw a C70 anywhere near this good was at Volvo club events and even they weren't this straight and tidy with such low mileage. I thank my lucky stars that I found this little beauty and won't be relinquishing it until I'm in my box, which should hopefully be a long time off as I'm only 55.