I grew up with 1970s and 1980s Volvos. Though my dad had a 1979 Bonneville sedan and a 1951 Porsche 356 Cabriolet at the time, I came home from the hospital in my mom’s blue 1977 Volvo 245 DL station wagon. My favorite was probably the fire engine red ’88 740 Turbo Sedan. But I digress.
I remember both the 245 and the Bonnie very well, along with the red 1973 Volvo 1800ES my mom also had, and the rusty, crusty, but completely fascinating ’51 Porsche (fondly referred to by my mother as ‘that green piece of crap’). But not too long after I was into my toddler years, the Pontiac went away, and a new Volvo DL two door, in nonmetallic maroon with a tan cloth interior, took its place.
Anyway, today’s retro-’80s specimen was posted this past Tuesday evening by my friend Dustin Carpenter. He has no ties to the seller, but the car was relatively local to him. Of course I was immediately reminded of the maroon ’81 Volvo DL two door my dad had. It actually replaced the metallic root beer brown Bonneville previously mentioned.
I do remember riding in it, but remember Mom’s wagon much better. About two years after the two door 240 came home, my first sibling, my brother Andy arrived, and the DL was traded in on a four door, fancier silver 240 GL sedan, with tan leather, turbine alloy wheels and a sunroof.
Shortly before it went away, I remember my grandma Ruby was interested in acquiring the maroon two-door. But either she changed her mind or Lundahl Volvo in Moline sold it before she had a chance to buy it. Perhaps it was just as well, she had a mint condition 1977 Thunderbird, black with white bucket seat interior and factory AM/FM/CB stereo.
Anyway, on to the featured car’s history. As the seller stated, “I bought this car from the original owner that lived in CA who parked it in his garage with a car cover on. It shows, this thing is clean.”
“The car was repainted entirely in the early 90s when there was a fender bender (drivers side rear quarter) and instead of partial paint, he paid to have the entire car repainted. However, there are some very few minor imperfections and a few areas of overspray and is not pristine around some of the window edges, but I am pretty damn picky.”
“Interior is in great condition minus the tear on the side of the drivers seat, and typical dash crack. But the thing is still 38 years old with almost 250 on the clock.”
“I am in the process of looking for a new carpet insert and drivers seat, and recovering the rear window insert behind the rear seat, which is currently removed.”
“I have the original grill without the turbo badge, it just isn’t as clean as this grill. (FYI turbo badge or not, this thing is still slow, just a little slower than the ones with the actual turbo). I also have some extra turn signals and some other miscellaneous parts (Motor and transmission mounts, New in box).”
“Oh yeah, the sunroof and power antenna also work, I do believe, that the power antenna was not an option until 85, but when they repaired the rear quarter the update was made and the wiring was updated to add the power antenna as well.”
“MN Collector Plates, no need to renew registration, if it stays in the state. (No shit, itdoesn’t transfer out of state) who would have thought.”
Clean Title. $9,500. Is totally the crack pipe price…(jalopnik anyone)…apparently some of you have no sense of humor. I’ve seen some 242s no where near as clean as this recently go for an easy 5k, a car is only worth what someone is willing to pay.”
“If you’re interested shoot me an offer with your phone number attached. I enjoy a good negotiation, but know that 5K is not going to do it for this one, and I may find out that I won’t find a buyer at that price, oh well, then I‘ll just have to keep on enjoying this green machine.”
Anyway, there you have it. A nice example, but do remember these were reliable, but not terribly exciting. But I had to share this, because it ignited some long-dormant memories when I saw the photos this Tuesday evening! And as always, keep calm and always tip your bartender folks!