Though Volvo’s Amazon and 240 models receive praise from enthusiasts, the 140 Series that the company manufactured between the two models doesn’t garner as much attention. In my opinion, the 140 blends the round design features of the Amazon with the notoriously boxy ones of the 240, making it an attractive vehicle. This 1974 Volvo 142 is available here on eBay as part of a no reserve auction, and it’s a handsome example of a final-year 140 Series model.
This Volvo is available in Orange, California with a clean title. An online service called Just Donated offers the vehicle for sale, and their website mentions they will donate proceeds from the vehicle’s sale to charities such as Cars for Prostate Cancer and Disabled Veterans Empowerment Network. Unfortunately, because of this, there isn’t a lot of information about the vehicle’s history, but at least the money from its sale will benefit good causes.
The exterior certainly has some imperfections, such as a dent and damaged trim on the driver’s door, missing trim on the passenger door, rust under the windshield, a damaged front grille, and some faded paint. Additionally, there are not any undercarriage photos, but hopefully its location in California prevented it from becoming too rusty.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find a beautiful shade of teal, which nicely complements the white exterior color. With the exception of cracked dashboard material, the interior is very well kept, especially for its age.
Under the hood, there’s a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which pairs to a 4-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels. The drivetrain has 202,152 miles on it, and unfortunately, Just Donated was unable to test the engine’s condition because the car does not have an ignition key. There are also a few boxes of parts in the trunk, but the seller does not specify the contents of them.
At the time of publication, bidding is at a very reasonable $850, though the buyer must account for transportation and other fees upon winning the auction. Do you see the potential in this project Volvo coupe?
Sold for $850. Someone took a reasonable gamble.
Should have had CIS fuel injection. Looks like someone added a Weber.
Don’t know why but always wanted one of these and it can be a 2 dr, 4 dr, or wagon. Of course it would not remain stock but definitely make it a sleeper!
Some Volvo fanciers I’ve run across say the 140/145 are in their opinion the “last REAL” Volvos, citing the sturdier (if heavier) full-crossmember w/ A-arms front suspension as a stronger and better design that the 240/245 struts. I tend to buy that argument. I know I’ve ridden in some later ones, and they were okay, but the latest ones I’ve driven were both on the 140 chassis, and they truly FELT like Volvos – happy to go fast, happy to charge, lots of fun on a twisty road, maybe a little rough here and there but dead reliable.
The one I’m sorta looking for (meaning if I bought one I’d have to hide it!) is a 145 wagon, though a 140 4-door would be with thinking about. But this was close enough (and certainly cheap enough!) to make me regret just a bit not having known about it sooner.
I bought a new 1968 144 sedan in Germany based on Volvo’s reputation. I loved the new BMW 1600 and 2002″s but declined as I had never heard of any dealers back in the States. The Volvo was NOT a satisfactory car, had starting issues, terrible rust in the roof and ‘A’ pillars. Brought it back to Ann Arbor, MI, and sold it after 104,000 miles and two engine rebuilds. This cured me from future Volvos.