Volvo constructed the 200 Series for almost 20 years and the homeowners of these sensibly rectangular machines tended to maintain them for decade after decade, so I’ve no downside discovering loads of discarded examples throughout my junkyard travels regardless of the final ones rolling off the meeting line in 1993. Most of these machines have been the 4–cylinder/4– or 5–door automobiles, although, as a result of extra cylinders and/or fewer doorways didn’t appear stolid sufficient on your typical American Volvo shopper. In truth, previous to right now, I had documented as many junked 262C Bertones as 242 two–doorways (and only a single 264 sedan). Now I’ve discovered this rusty 242 in a self-service yard between Denver and Cheyenne.
The fender tag exhibits that it was constructed on the plant in Ghent, Belgium and that it’s a California-spec automobile slightly than the 49-state mannequin. Just about all the opposite 240s I’ve present in junkyards have been inbuilt Göteborg.
This automobile could have been bought new in California, however it positive didn’t keep there lengthy. I’m guessing that this 242 spent a while in a Rust Monster-friendly place like Michigan or Maine earlier than coming to Colorado (they don’t use a lot street salt round right here and the single-digit humidity helps decelerate corrosion).
Moe’s Broadway Bagel in Boulder has been round because the early Nineteen Nineties, and I see these stickers on many Front Range junkyard autos.
It’s well-traveled, with higher than a quarter-million miles on the odometer. I discover 240s with extra miles, however 263,554 is a decent ultimate complete for the outdated Swede.
Volvo stopped making the two-door 240 after the 1984 mannequin 12 months, so this automobile is among the final ones. While not precisely sporty, the two-door coupe was fairly a bit cheaper than the four-door; in 1983 a 240 two-door sedan with handbook transmission listed at $10,650 (round $32,265 in 2022 {dollars}), whereas the four-door model price $11,085 ($33,585 now).
If you need to get choosy in regards to the official identify of this automobile, Volvo referred to as it a 240 DL when it was within the showrooms; today, all people makes use of the extra helpful 1975-1979 naming system to explain 200 Series automobiles. That’s what I’ve executed right here.
The engine is a 2.0-liter B23, rated at 107 horsepower.
The inside is fairly nicely beat up, the physique is rusty, the odometer exhibits a scary quantity, and it has a sort of transmission that few are prepared or in a position to drive today. The native Volvo 240 aficionados have all of the initiatives they will deal with, so this automobile was sure for The Crusher the second it entered the junkyard ecosystem.
You may get a turbocharged model with 127 horsepower for $16,050 (about $48,625 right now).
The 700 Series was supposed to exchange the 200 Series, however that by no means occurred. In truth, the 240 stayed in manufacturing a 12 months after the 740 received axed.
For hyperlinks to almost 2,400 further Junkyard Finds, take a look at the Junkyard Home of the Murilee Martin Lifestyle Brand™.
[Images by the author]
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Source: www.thetruthaboutcars.com