The Volvo 200 Series, which was introduced in the United States as a 1975 model, catapulted the Swedish automaker into the American market. Lasting nearly two decades, the 200 Series remains the most iconic Swedish car ever made. One such example is an early-production 244 that was recently discovered in a car graveyard in Denver.
The 200 Series can be seen as an update of the 140 Series, with the main difference being the MacPherson strut front suspension in the former. Volvo experimented with various naming systems for the U.S. market, but the initial system was the simplest to understand. It consisted of a three-digit number followed by a two-character trim-level designation. The first digit represented the series, the second represented the number of engine cylinders, and the third represented the number of doors. It is important to note that not all 200 Series Volvos are 240s, as there were also six-cylinder 262s, 264s, and 265s sold in the U.S.
This particular car is the best-selling member of the 200 family, featuring a four-cylinder engine and four doors. Equipped with a fuel-injected 2.1-liter SOHC straight-four engine, it generates 98 horsepower and 110 pound-feet of torque. The 1975 240s, on the other hand, were fitted with the 2.0-liter pushrod engine from the 140.
In terms of transmissions, the 1976 240s offered a choice between a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic. The car in question is equipped with the automatic option. Interestingly, the original owner of this base DL model paid an extra $456 for air conditioning and an additional $500 for the automatic transmission. Adjusted for inflation, this brought the total cost of the car to $7,551, or $42,717 in today’s money. While you could have purchased a 1976 Buick Electra Limited four-door hardtop for less, Volvo buyers recognized the value in paying a premium for the genuine Scandinavian safety and build quality.
Due to federal safety regulations during the early Malaise Era, European-market headlights were not permitted on American roads. As a result, Volvo installed unsightly sealed-beam headlights on their cars in the U.S. market. It wasn’t until the 1986 model year that the 200 Series Volvos received modern composite headlights.
Despite its age, this car’s interior remains in excellent condition. The faded paint shows no signs of rust-through, indicating that the previous owner(s) took good care of the vehicle. It is worth noting that there are still plenty of 244s and 245s, including well-loved examples with over 300,000 miles (and even one with over 600,000 miles) in Colorado and California junkyards. Those searching for a Volvo 200 Series project car will have no trouble finding a solid option in need of a new home, especially if they are open to four-door models.
While this particular car may not have set any mileage records during its lifetime, it is interesting to consider the possibility that the speedometer cable may have broken decades ago, resulting in an unknown number of miles driven.
One unique feature of this Volvo is the “wire wheel” hubcaps, which is a rarity among the 200 Series. Additionally, since it lacks a catalytic converter, it was able to run without issues on leaded gasoline.
The Volvo 200 Series is known for its many sensible Swedish features and has attracted a largely educated buyer base. In fact, 87% of Volvo buyers are college-educated, while the remaining 13% can be described as simply smart.