And now for something that is positively “unbarn findy”, a 1979 Volvo 244 DL. Yes, it may seem out of place to feature such a model on Barn Finds but we cover a bit of everything here and this car is, after all, 43 years old and for all intents and purposes, a survivor. OK, so maybe it’s not the most exciting find but it’s still a significant car in its own right and worthy of review. Located in Staten Island, New York, and a car that the Swedish Chef would be proud to drive, this box on wheels is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $14,995. There is a make-an-offer option too.
A real stalwart for Volvo if there ever was one, the 244 (1975-1990) reached an output of almost 3 M copies. Our subject car is claimed to have spent its entire life in California where it experienced 77K miles of use – how, or why, it ended up in Staten Island is unsaid. Hardly an attractive hue, the finish, regardless of preference, looks great with nice depth and no sign of fade. The quality presentation spreads to the black plastic bumper trim and filler – no indication of splits or graying. I always liked the wheels on this model Volvo, they’re purposeful, and attractive, while still being restrained – typical for Volvo.
I was initially on the fence about that interior for two reasons. First, call me color blind but plum doesn’t go, at least to my eyes, with a mustard exterior. Secondly, the fabric upholstery is cheap looking – I was expecting something more significant than what looks like add-on seat covers. Regardless, I did some web searching around, and that appears to be the correct fabric and pattern for a 244 DL (I still don’t think the color works). Most importantly, the inside’s condition is about what you would expect – it’s as nice as the exterior. The driver’s side carpet shows the slightest bit of use but that’s about it. The dash and instrument panel aren’t exactly austere but they are right to the point in terms of functionality – something that I can really appreciate.
The motivational force employed here happens courtesy of a 107 HP, 2.4 liter, in-line, four-cylinder engine mated to an automatic transmission. The engine compartment is clean and original with just the slightest bit of streaking visible across the cam cover. The listing claims it “runs and drives fantastic“. Packing it in at just shy of 4,000 lbs. this sedan will hardly set a land speed record but that kind of achievement was likely far from the engineer’s established goals for this model.
So, would I want this car? Nope, I wouldn’t know what to do with it and it’s unlikely that I would find it fulfilling for a weekend drive. Do I appreciate this car for what it is? You bet! To have survived this many years while maintaining such a superb condition is no mean feat. I’m not sure how the next owner will envision this Volvo’s use but he or she can rest assured that they have probably acquired the finest 1979 Volvo 244 DL available, wouldn’t you agree?
I remember this color combination. In some ways I like this over the pristine 88 that appears later on BarnFinds. This looks exactly like my 79 did only mine was a caramel color. Pretty pokey with the automatic but that AW transmission will last forever.
Correction this is a Borg Warner transmission. AW came later but same design only overdrive.
One of the few cars here where you could buy it and drive it cross-country to your home.
What year did Volvo start using hydraulic lifters?
They started with the B23F I believe. That was like mid 80’s when they shifted to Bosch LH injection as well
Is it an interference engine?
Non-interference engine, solid lifters with adjustment shims. Pretty well bullet proof, albeit slow. I believe the mustardy color was gone after the 1980 models.
Simple. This good OLD Swedish made Volvo or something made in China for $55,000. This 79 is the best quality car on this site in 5 years.
Nice solid car that seems like it could run forever.
However is it me or is the Drivers front fender a slightly different shade?
Jon, I think that it is the bottom half of the two driver side doors that are slightly duller than the rest of the car.
I have 79 and have had other 79-80 DLs (and GTs) here that had flat hood and 7″ round handlamps. The GLs and the 262,264,265 all had the quad round/long hood in the US.
Nope. My 79 had quad round as seen.
Alphsud,
Duh…The ones that lived here were 2 doors with 7″ round/flat hood. 4 and 5 door were the quad round.
Actually that’s not correct. The 78-79 Volvo 265GL and the Bertone had the quad rectangular lamps. The 79-80 DL models were the ones with the quad round headlights. Yes the 2- door models did have the 7” round headlights since they were the base model. The years might go beyond the statement but that what Volvo did in the US.
My mother bought this exact car used in April 84. I was none too pleased with her selection.
But my Swedish brick ran for 7 years, the engine was still going long after the body had given out.
The interior was not Volvos best attempt at fabric. Coarse brown nylon that itched in the summer.
That brick averaged about 700 miles a week well past 200,000.
I would grab one if i could today.
40+ yr old FI should give you the willies. Does me.
Tough old bird here. This one clearly wasn’t given to any teenagers like most of them. All of the usually brittle plastic bits aren’t all dried out and crumbling.
That interior is actually brown and that fabric was optional and wore better than the seat itself. Figured this would have the indestructible vinyl interior. As for the color scheme, it was 1979. An aesthetically more daring time. I happen to like it a lot.
I bought a silver 1980 244 DL in the early 90’s with 109k on the clock. Paid $2,000 for it. Had one of those crank-open sunroofs. It was not a performance beast at all, but was dependable to a fault. That car ran and ran, put another 100k+ miles on it and all I did was change the oil. Sold it with ~240k for, you guessed it, $2000. I’d say I got my money’s worth.
I had this same car same color but mine was a 77. Ugliest automobile ever produced. Slow as a snail but decent mileage with overdrive
The first mass-produced car with side impact protection in the
doors. Not for nothing do these models enjoy the nickname tank.
Self reforming bumpers as SAAB was a Swedish invention.
Very nice car with refreshing colour combination. I like it.
Those four round headlights look really ugly and make it worse than it already was, in Australia we got the European rectangular light.
The big positive of these is that they one of the most comfortable long distance vehicles ever built
Had a ‘75 245 DL twenty years ago. Bought it for $300 while living in Wyoming. It was a used up, worn out, ugly car: rust, dents, spray paint, four bald Blizzaks, turquoise carpet. Bosch mechanical injection, four corner disc brakes, child safety locks, Dana 30 with deep gears, four speed. Cruising to Denver at 70mph the little b20f howled at 6k rpm the whole time, didn’t even use any oil much less come apart. Odometer was broken — and had been for so long it was sun faded — at ~250k. Only failed to start once — on a sun zero night with the prairie wind whipping the snow. I reared back and kicked it square in the left fender. Then it started and got me home with nary a compliant.
One of the best damn cars I’ve ever had.
Is this sold? The EBAY listing is removed.