Date: 2023-05-01
Author: 2023-May Newsletter
Recent closures and retirements in Volvo related service shops have had owners searching for alternate sources of service.
We sent out an email asking the membership for recommended service shops throughout the province and further. Thank you to all who responded. Club Director Rohan Soulsby has compiled the list which can be found on our www.volvoclubofbc.com website. The list is broken down into 4 geographical areas. Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Other Parts of BC, and USA.
We observed that in the Vancouver and Fraser Valley there is a particular shortage of shops that work on the Classic Volvos (PV, Amazon, 1800, 140 and 160, as well as early 200 and 700 series.) We have only found one shop in the lower mainland willing and able to work on the Classic Volvos. (Key Imports, Abbotsford, Text Fred Key at 604-853-5171) Finding service for newer cars is not an issue. Vancouver Island has numerous shops that welcome all years including the classics and there are even a couple of knowledgeable shops in Bellingham.
I am not sure yet of the solution to this problem, but we may have to go to specialist shops for particular work. For instance, we have an excellent shop that specializes in Alignment and Suspension and they are very familiar with old cars, even back to the PV series with their king pin front suspension. We also know of an SU specialist. We may have to send the old cars to British car repair shops as the SU carburetted cars are not so different from old British Cars. Similarly shops who work on Old Porsches and VWs that use D Jetronic Fuel injection could work on 1800E/ES and 142E cars.
Each listed company has been recommended by a club member but you still must use normal caution when having service work done on your car. This is not meant to be a static list. If you come across another competent service shop whether it is general service or specialized service, like transmissions, brakes, etc., send us the details via Rohan Soulsby at rohan.soulsby@gmail.com. You will find the list on our website www.volvoclubofbc.com