While many of us generally prefer to find cars in stock condition, the right assortment of upgrades and tweaks can make a vehicle infinitely more desirable. This 1988 Volvo 240 GL wagon has been updated in just the right ways and benefits from a recent respray to make it a very sharp driver – and an affordable entry into the vintage car world. It’s listed here on eBay sporting upgraded European-market headlights, Virgo wheels from a Turbo wagon, and a rebuilt suspension.
The 240-series Volvo has long been a favorite among car enthusiasts, especially when found in turbocharged form. The turbo wagon basically introduced this class of vehicle to the masses, as the idea of combining the utility of a wagon with a hotted-up engine didn’t really exist. The durability of the drivetrain and tough-as-nails construction made the 240-series legendary both among brand loyalists and hobbyists who appreciated the Swedish approach to engineering. The seller’s car has been repainted in what I assume is a factory shade of Blue/Green metallic paint.
‘The listing notes the 240 has just over 100,000 miles, which is nothing for one of these. The 240 is similar to the W123-chassis Mercedes-Benz, which is known for going deep into the 300,000 mile range with relative ease. So, to find a 240 with this kind of mileage is a find in and of itself, to say nothing of the healthy mechanical and cosmetic condition. The leather seats show some cracking and creases, but that’s to be expected for this age of vehicle. The seller notes he has replaced many “….interior trim pieces to include a new center console and cubby.”
The seller confirms there are no leaks or major outstanding mechanical issues, and that he replaced the suspension with heavy duty springs and KYB shocks. The listing also notes the fuel pump has been replaced, and the tidy condition of the engine bay suggests the 240 benefits from prolonged upkeep over the course of its useful life. The current bid price of $7,000 goes to show you that a few modifications are hardly a turn-off, especially when they are as well integrated as they are on this super clean 240 wagon.
I always looked at the seatbelt hardware for the back seat when one of these rolled by. When I saw the pictures here and on eBay those stripper poles were the first thing I looked for.
73 on up I believe
I actually got hooked on and addicted to the “Swedish bricks” after my 1st accident in one. Lady blew through a stop sign and I hit her a steady 35+mph in the driver’s fender. Knocked her front end half way off of her car and my car didn’t even stop running AND didn’t sustain any damage. Mine was a 1985 240 4 door. The wagon was their flagship car and 500k upwards to a million miles on those drive trains is not uncommon but you have to maintain them.
There was a school teacher in New York who put I believe 2 million miles on his P1800?
Swedes take their chariots seriously.
Those wheels come on the turbo; Virgos i think.
Not that many enthusiast didnt put em on NA cars.
As a pre 2009, especially pre 99 enthusiast, as i text, sitting for lunch from wrenchin a V7R, this wagon is exceptional. The color, condition, the GL with leather and power windows, an 88..
Ya, thats built far better than most any car one could buy these dayz.
Nice find Barn Finds 👍
Where is this Volvo located ?
Virginia plates = No road salt.
I don’t see anything to suggest it’s a turbo.
Those wheels come on the turbo; Virgos i think.
Not that many enthusiast didnt put em on NA cars.
As a pre 2009, especially pre 99 enthusiast, as i text, sitting for lunch from wrenchin a V7R, this wagon is exceptional. The color, condition, the GL with leather and power windows, an 88..
Ya, thats built far better than most any car one could buy these dayz.
Nice find Barn Finds 👍
Per the eBay listing, it’s in Virginia Beach.
It’s not a turbo; it has the wheels from a turbo. Looks like the original wheels come with it as well.
Beautiful clean example, Someone’s going to have a blast with it! GLWTS
These are notorious for having their odometers stop working and their owners are notorious for not bothering to fix them for some reason. Or, at least not until a lot of time has passed and sometimes the repair is just swapping in a used cluster. The defense is that mileage is irrelevant because they just go forever, but wouldn’t you want to know the true mileage to show just how far they can go? Great cars, I’m just not sure why most people wouldn’t repair their one flaw.
LOL I had several and I’m of your ilk. FIX EM, I’m proud of my mileage. I found a place on EBay that has the internal gears for Volvo and Mercedes. I’ve rebuilt many.
My biggest memory of these is the TV add with multiple other cars stacked on top. For a time when I was a lot younger granite falls Washington had the 4 door sedans as their police cars and they were fast.
Plenty of road slat in Virginia, I can attest to that.
OMG the addiction has returned. Since my last Volvo S80 V8 I have crossed the water and went to Mercedes and now Porsches. While they all have their unique high points and idiosyncrasies Volvos are my preferred Crack. They are also coined a poor man’s Mercedes but I’d rather say a smart man’s.
You have the best of all worlds in these cars. When Ford acquired them in 1999 they went to hell until China acquired them and understanding the auspices and tutelage of Volvo they started to improve. The Yamaha V8 was a beast of a motor. Oddly enough Ford used the Yamaha V6 in the SHO. I’d love to find a last year XC90 V8 instead of the Cayenne I bought.
5.0 T-5 transplant candidate.
I’m new here. How do I bid on this ?
Richard I believe you have to register with ebay to get an account and then enter or find the vehicle you are interested in and bid accordingly. Word of caution if you don’t follow through with the bid or offer you will not be able to bid on future vehicles.
I got mine! A 1989 sedan. I know people love the wagons, but I just think the sedan is the archetype of the three-box car. It’s so clean and elegant. Living in CT, I can’t drive it once salt hits the road. But otherwise, I daily drive it. I have the five speed, no turbo. But I put in a new header out of Sweden and exhaust, so it breathes a little better and growls a bit more. Tightened up the suspension–not hard to do. The car is not fast by any means, but it is a hoot to drive and handles like a dream. The old turbos are the most fun, with their lag. Once they hit the right RPMs, you feel the launch in your lower back in the seat. I’m rambling.