While we’re accustomed to seeing Lincoln Town Cars or Navigators converted to stretch configurations, saloons like a bread-and-butter Volvo 740 served as platforms for limos overseas. This example is a 1988 model is largely complete condition, parked after failing what is the equivalent of our own inspection tests in the states. The seller notes the Volvo can be driven away but really should be transported via trailer. Find it here on eBay with no reserve and bidding under $600.
Being a bit of a fanatic for Euro cars, the first thing I noticed is the European-market spec headlights complete with headlight washer arms. The upright Volvo profile is maintained if not enhanced with the elongated middle section. Wheels are standard-issue Volvo, clearly not built in the bling-bling era where even one of these cars would have 22″ chromies bolted on. The seller notes some minor rust on the roof and a cut in the fender, with the reason unknown for the missing metal.
While not exactly luxurious, the blue cloth interior with upright middle bench row seems laughably appropriate for a Volvo. No minibars or flat-screen TVs here! If you’re going to drive a Volvo limo, it’s going to be an austere affair with everything you need and nothing you don’t – the old school Volvo way. This really is as basic as it gets for the interpretation of a limo, with ample room for passengers and that’s about all that’s limo-like about it.
Up front, this could be the interior out of any number of 740 sedans languishing in junkyards, with the exception of it being right-hand drive. Despite being parked for a number of years, the interior looks quite sound and the selling price more than fair. Given this is pure Volvo underneath, it seems like a nice addition to a vintage Volvo collection given the ease with which spares can likely still be found. Have you ever seen a stretch Volvo?
This looks to have come from the uk .malta or cyprus..given as they are the only rhd areas in europe
Swedish Embassy car? Why else would this be done?!
It’s got a UK registration plate on it. It’s looks to be on sale in Hemel Hempstead in the UK as well, so might cost a bit to import! They were popular as funeral directors cars and were used to take families to and from the cemetery. I’ve ridden in one based on a V90 in the last few years and it wasn’t particularly comfortable, which was a surprise.
Common in the funeral trade of the period in the uk, once out of service these a hear sex ae prized by demolition DERBY drivers which is were this will probably end up.
Great Paper delivery car for the family with multiple children. Load up the kids in the rear while you and the MRS sit up front and head over to the paper depot to get 400 to 700 copies of the Poughkeepsie Journal for your forty mile route. Have the kids sit in the back to fold and bag your papers as you start out on your route. RHD allows you not to have to play chicken to get all those tubes you need to hit along the way. The kids can take turns getting out of the limo in those rural lake communities in order to make sure all those grumpy seniors who have nothing better to do with their lives get their paper on their doorstep because they are too lazy to walk out to the curb or their driveway. All this for a lousy 280 a week on a 1099. YAY!!!
740’n 240 only 1s to have (4get any newer). Limo is interesting.
RHD – not so much…
As mentioned above, British ex-funeral car. Hence no need for TV’s or cocktail cabinets. Has what look like old Irish number plates on it as personalized numbers to disguise the year of the car (after 1963 you can tell the age of a car by its plates in the UK) for its intended role. Used to be a lot of mundane cars turned into limos for funeral service in England. Austin 2200 and the later Austin Princess were prime examples. Same with hearses – great buys as load haulers once they were retired if you didn’t mind the stigma that went with having an old corpse carrier. Most did mind, however, so few survived. Lots ended up in demo derby deaths. A few customized in the 80’s as I recall, though.