Even at 50, the Volvo 240 Is as Sharp as Ever
Happy Birthday, you beautiful brick. That’s right, folks, the much-loved Volvo 240 is 50 years old this year.
The 240 built on the three-box design first deployed in the 140 of 1966, but when it hit the streets for 1974, the 240 upped the sophistication level a few pegs. The new car had a longer wheelbase, and a MacPherson strut front suspension improved handling, while rack-and-pinion steering replaced the 140’s cam-and-roller type for more precision. Safety, too, was a hallmark of the 240, with stout “Commando” bumpers backed by energy-absorbing crumple zones.
Originally offered with the 140’s B20 two-liter engine, the line of “Redblock” fours would grow in displacement over the years, first to 2.1 then 2.3 liters, with output generally hovering around 110–115 hp. The addition of an intercooler turbo brought the available power figure up to a healthy 162 hp, while a wheezing diesel and, in the 260 series, a V-6 were also offered.
They came as four-door sedans (244), five-door wagons (245) and, until 1984, as two-door coupes (242). That 2.8 million of them were produced over 19 years is a testament to their popularity. That so many still remain on the road, often with more than a quarter-million miles, is a testament to their engineering.
To commemorate the anniversary, Volvo has just released a short retrospective video, with the company’s heritage manager Hans Hedberg as our guide. The piece is effectively a sizzle real, if such a thing term can be used in conjunction with such a dull car, and it traces the 240’s genesis in the Volvo Experimental Safey Car to the shadow it still casts over current Volvo cars. “The 240 series blended usefulness with durability and became a symbol of dependability and innovation,” Hedberg says. He’ll get no argument from anyone who has ever driven or ridden in one.
Proud 1991 brick wagon owner, a great ride once you replace the shocks with koni sports and poly for all the bushings.
What it lacks in power it makes up for with swagger. Will eventually swap in a coyote or LS with a tremec.
Volvo is the clear choice for safety conscience people. The company has always been ahead of all other car companies with reliability and the engineering innovations that are the hallmark of Volvo.
My 245 was an excellent car. Two features I enjoyed was when a large truck travelling in the opposite way passed with its generated wind the air flowed over the Volvo without buffeting. The second feature was when washing the car there were no sharp areas that could damage your hands. A very smooth body.
I had a girl like that once, well maybe a couple of times. 😉
I love my 245. The best thing ever about it was the undercoating that was done. It is a 1993 Classic with original paint.
I bought an ’81 turbo wagon used, with 127,000 on the clock. I took it to an independent Volvo mechanic, not knowing a thing about the car except that they had an excellent reputation.
He looked at it and said I would easily get that many more miles.
I commuted 200 miles a day, 5 or 6 days a week for 5 years. I truly fell in love with that car.
I ended up giving it to my brother and he used it for a number of years. I think it had over 300K when HE gave it to someone.
Brakes, tires and regular oil changes are all I ever did to it.
Wish I still had it. Best car I ever owned.
Volvo is the clear choice for safety conscience people. The company has always been ahead of all other car companies with reliability and the engineering innovations that are the hallmark of Volvo.
The turbo wagon was practical fun.
The 245 with the back seat folded down would hold the contents of at least two normal wagons. “Spacious” doesn’t come close!!!
Always liked the 240’s back in the 80’s……..then I discovered SAAB. Hands down the better car PLUS SAAB had some great technology including a TURBO that worked as intended……….along with the Porsche Turbo.
I had a 1980 242GT that I loved. Not fast but it handled very well for a big car. I had all the “bling” (stripes and orange upholstery piping) removed before taking delivery. That, and its silver paint, made it a very understated, elegant GT. The electric overdrive gave it decent gas mileage on trips. Around town, I used 2nd gear and the overdrive.
When we had our son in 1985, I sold the 242GT to a highschool student. He ditched the stock mag wheels and put a set oof Cragers on the car. Oh, well, like they say, you can’t put an old head on young shoulders…
We replaced the 242GT with a 1985 burgundy / mustard interior 245 wagon. I scrounged the wheels off the 242 from the student and put them on the wagon with some wider rubber and Koni shocks. We drove the car for 7 years when we moved to Oz. for temporary assignment. We put the car into storage for 4-years and drove it when we came home on leave. When we came home, we drove the car until we immigrated to Oz in 2000. I gave the car to my mom who drove it for another 10 years. You couldn’t kill it.
She finally got rid of the car in 2010 because the heater fan gave up the ghost. the estimate to replace it was $1500.00 USD because you had to remove the dash to replace it. Had I been in the U.S., I would have replaced it myself.
Volvos may not be sexy, (P1800 and Amazon, excepted) but damn, they are reliable – especially the B20 / B21 engines.
I drive a 240. I tell everyone that stops me to talk about it…which is many…that it’s the best car ever made.