WHAT IS IT?
1983 Volvo 240 GL Sedan
The Volvo 240 is the car that truly put Volvo on the map in the U.S. Boxy and slow, but with an enviable reputation for durability, build quality, and of course, safety. There were multiple years in which there were zero fatal accidents involving the 240. The under-stressed, naturally-aspirated 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine seemingly has no upper limit in terms of wear. With regular maintenance, these engines seemingly go hundreds of thousands of miles, slowly increasing their clearances, but never failing. Volvo’s paint and rust protection was very good for the day. Only the hard interior plastics seemed to wear prematurely in sunny climates. With just 1,400 original miles, this 240 will likely outlast virtually anyone currently of driving age.
WHY THIS ONE HAS “BEST ONE ON THE PLANET” CHOPS
Because of their reputation for safety, simplicity, and durability, the 240s tended to get used hard, often handed down from parents to newly minted drivers. Almost nobody went out of their way to preserve a 240, and most have well over a quarter-million miles on them today. These were workhorse family cars, not collectibles. A 240 with 1,400 one-owner miles on it, and still showing signs of factory cosmoline is, well, unheard of. The seller claims this car was never exposed to inclement weather and it shows. Ordinarily, brittle interior plastics on this car show no signs of wear. The paint looks shiny, appropriately orange-peely, and original. The car furthermore appears to be completely original down to the tires. Quibbles are few; we like the later cars with composite headlights in place of the quad-sealed beams, wagons are cooler, we wish it wasn’t an automatic, and brown isn’t exactly our favorite color, but it seems to fit a 240, wagon or not. We think is unquestionably the best 1983 Volvo 240 GL 4-door on the planet. This appears to be a reference-level museum piece.
These were workhorse family cars, not collectibles. A 240 with 1,400 one-owner miles on it, and still showing signs of factory cosmoline is, well, unheard of.
Used 1983 Volvo 240 GL 4dr Sedan For Sale $34,900 | Cars.com
