Interestingly, the boxy Volvos of the 1980s have gone from being just used cars, albeit reliable ones, to sought-after classics. That’s the case for this 1983 Volvo 240 DL in Bensenville, Illinois, with just 1,460 miles from new. The bidding has gone to $11,000 with plenty of time left. That mileage is not a misprint. This car has quite a story. It was sold originally through the dealer Frank Demma in Addison, Illinois, and hasn’t moved far from there. It’s spent all its time in a garage in the western suburbs of Chicago. The current owner recounts that his friend saw the car in a dealer window and bought it off the showroom floor. It was driven, and sparingly at that, only in the first few years of ownership. There were a bunch of other cars in the garage.
The DL comes with all of its original documentation, including the window sticker, owner’s manual, and service books. “The Volvo is a true time capsule,” the owner says. “The condition of this car is absolutely original and beautifully preserved. Every facet of the car is exactly as it came from the factory and nearly untouched.”
It’s interesting to note that the car is badged only as a DL, not a 240. This was a Volvo quirk of the time that was soon rectified when buyers complained. The original dark brown (Code 616) paint is possibly unique to this car, and was not an actual color offering in 1983, the seller says. There are no paint chips, dents or ripples, and since the car apparently never saw bad weather, no rust either. Everything works, including the roll-up windows. Remember, this is a DL, the entry-level model. All the glass is great, and the trim is unmarred. The distinctive mudflaps are in place.
Inside, the DL wears beige cloth upholstery and the original carpets, without any visible blemishes. Everything works on this fairly basic car. The trunk retains its jack and tools, and appears to be unvisited. All the mechanical stuff is operational, commensurate with the ultra-low mileage.
The DL has a 2.3-liter overhead cam four, coupled to an automatic transmission. It would be no ball of fire on the road, with just 107 horsepower. The price for one of these new was $11,085 (plus $390 for the automatic), which made them a fair amount cheaper than a starter BMW 320i ($13,290).
A third of the 240s were station wagons, with plenty of utility. Now both sedans and station wagons are out of favor, but these were extremely sturdy, durable cars that routinely racked up huge mileage. This one could serve its owner for the next 20 years—gas burners will be banned before it wears out.
Lest you conclude that this poor Volvo was cruelly wrenched from its long sleep, the owner says it was carefully recommissioned. “Parts needing replacement were retained for their historical significance,” we’re told. “The hoses and belts were replaced as they were not only petrified, but frozen in place.”
One caveat. The owner says the original Dunlop tires are on the car and “are obviously nearly new.” Sure, but they’re 40 years old. They should be used for show purposes only. It’s good to know that the brakes have been fully serviced.
The car is now running and driving and reportedly has no squeaks, creaks, or rattles. Nothing is needed but a driver. The proposition here is what was once entry-level transportation at a premium price because of its extremely low mileage and state of preservation. Should it be kept in a museum, or just driven?
Still looks showroom fresh! Not sure about the special color. We had a customer who had the exact same color and trim. Reliable and simple are the 2 words you will not use to describe a new car. I’m torn on this one because a low mileage Volvo is under utilized. It’s like carrying a Stiletto hammer in your tool kit but instead you grab the Stanley to sink nails.
With my tongue in my cheek:
If you scroll down through the barrage of pictures, you will find a close-up of the odometer. The “6” in the display showing 001460 miles doesn’t exactly line up. This of course is irrefutable evidence that the odometer has been rolled back, and perhaps the car actually has negative mileage.
I don’t agree. I see that a lot in mechanical odometers. Once the tenths position changes to a 1 the six will fall into frame. Regardless the car looks like new.
Just one question – WHY would a car like this have a speedometer that ONLY goes to up to 85mph?
It would be perfectly able to exceed 85mph and here in the UK, the equivalent vehicle would have a speedo marked up to 120mph or more.
Many thanks
FWIW, the two zeroes don’t line up either. A factory fresh odo would have them on the same plane. This unit is quite impressive, HOWEVER, the head pipe under the car and the oil pan are not consistent with the indicated mileage claim.
Just sayin’.
I agree about the headpipe and trans. Especially the bolt heads for the brace on the headpipe. I wonder how that’s explained?
I don’t know which amazes me more, the bidding went past $40k or that the reserve wasn’t met?
What did I miss…Where do I bid?
If this thing had an air conditioner I’d already be on my way!
Currently up to $14k +. As near to new as possible I would say.
BaT RNM @ $27,000 on 11/30/23. Now on ebay.
My daily driver is an ’83 DL 4dr auto, but in light blue, with factory AC, and 133k on the odometer. The car is reserved, stately, and honest. You want the window down? Turn the crank. The radio on? Turn the knob. And the trunk is cavernous. Anything under 200,000 on this engine is considered “low mileage.”
This one is pricey, but amortized over the life of car it’s a solid investment, assuming it’s driven and not parked.
With the computerized junk offered today, the heck with putting it back in storage. Drive it, change the fluids regularly and enjoy reliable transportation for 20 years. New vehicles are butt ugly, cost far too much and are just awful. I had a 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo in the late 1990s. One of the most reliable and comfortable cars I’ve ever owned.
Pristine. Mileage issues aside, it will take some work to make this truly road worthy. As all parts are readily available economically, this can be a really good buy.
The 85 MPH speedometer was a federal mandate at the time this car was built.
Thanks for the info Tony
Daymo
I had a 242 Turbo with various mods. I gave a student a ride at Road America and he asked why I hadn’t changed out the 85 mph speedo.
Where I live it doesn’t matter how much more than 85 I’m going.
On the other hand….Grandson and I stopped to visit a friend today. “Did you know your Grandpa took my Bentley over 170?”. It has a 200 mph speedo.
Thanks Rallye
Timing belt or timing chain?
Belt, and the only one available at RockAuto is $161 !!!
GATES T1040RB 1″ x 44 13/32″ (141 Teeth) – Blue Info
$161.79
Should be first thing changed I would think?
The 85 MPH speedo was the genius of Joan Claybrook, who worked with Ralph Nader in the 1970’s. The idea was that if you could not see how fast you were going you would not try to speed excessively. The needle was mechanically limited by a pin or tab, which could easily be removed, and then you could estimate your speed based on where the needle was beyond the range of the scale. I heard about a case where someone went to court for driving crazy fast and got their ticket reduced to 85MPH because of the federally mandated speedo. Not long after I heard about that case, the requirement was quietly dropped and speedos returned to having ranges that (hopefully) exceeded the vehicle’s capability. If anyone else has any insight on this set of events, please chime in.
With the computerized junk offered today, the heck with putting it back in storage. Drive it, change the fluids regularly and enjoy reliable transportation for 20 years. New vehicles are butt ugly, cost far too much and are just awful. I had a 1985 Volvo 760 Turbo in the late 1990s. One of the most reliable and comfortable cars I’ve ever owned.
Thanks Roland for the info
I’m not sure if the comments about the Odometer suffering a rollback are true. But I would think that if the odometer was North of 100k, that there would be wear on the Steering wheel from excessive Palming and that the rubber on the pedals would be worn along with the inside arm resting on the driver’s Door.
This petered out on Bring A Trailer recently at $27,000 and there are loads of Volvo enthusiasts on there. If this is a legit bidder on eBay then I’m a little surprised it’s at $35,000 and still hasn’t met reserve.