It’s time for Volvo to replace Old 200 series (debuted in 1974 but looks similar to mid-1960s- design 140 it is based on), the result is Series 700. This car first appeared in Volvo showrooms in 1982, and the original models were all high-end 760 sedans with the same PRV V6 engine power supply DeLorean DMC-12. Cheaper four cylinder 740 appeared in North America in the 1984 model year, this didn’t stop Volvo from selling a 760 with a turbocharged four-cylinder in the same showrooms. That’s what we have for today Junkyard Gemsa first year Volvo 760 Turbo in a self-service yard in Colorado.
Turns out, 740/760/780 not only doesn’t replace 240/260, it doesn’t even longer it. Sales of 240 continued throughout 1993while 760/780 and 740 received the ax in 1990 and 1992 respectively (to be fair, the later 900 Series was based on the 700 Series and available here until the very last) 1998 S90sand V90s has been sold).
In the 1984 model year, Volvo shoppers in the US could choose between a 240 Turbo (in two-door, four-door and wagon form) or the 760 sedan with their choice of turbocharged diesel or gasoline engines. Right, the 1980s were really the Turbo Decade. For 1985, a turbocharged version of the 740 sedan was added to the lineup, though that’s also the last year here for the 240 Turbo.
This engine is a 2.3-liter “red block” 4-cylinder, with a capacity of 160 horsepower when new. That’s two horsepower less than the more furious 2.2 increase in the 240 Turbo that year.
The 740/760 is sized at just over 240 pounds, though sound bigger in a flash.
Suppose you could buy an American-market 760 Turbo with a four-speed manual transmission, but every example I’ve seen has a four-speed automatic.
This car only exceeded 200,000 miles in its lifetime. Not bad, though I found a 740 Turbo wagon near 500,000 miles before ending up in the scrap yard.
The interior looks nice enough for its age, though I suspect these upholstered seats have replaced the original leather seats after the cowhide peeled off in the High Plains sun.
It’s hard to get the 1980s more than a graphic equalizer / sound effects.
From 0 to 55 in 7 seconds fixed!
