What’s the most iconic and recognizable Volvo of all time? That will be the 200 Sequence, after all, which went into manufacturing in 1974 and continued to roll off meeting traces all through 1993. It was so profitable that it outlived its supposed substitute, and that automobile’s substitute solely outlasted the 200 by 5 years. At present’s Junkyard Gem is an instance of the final-year Volvo 200 Sequence, present in a Denver-area self-service boneyard just lately.
Volvo went by way of a number of totally different naming techniques for these automobiles over the a long time. At first, the second character represented the variety of engine cylinders (sure, there have been Volvo 262s, 264s and 265s bought in the US) and the third character stood for the variety of doorways. That system went out the window finally, and by the tip each the sedans and wagons had these 240 badges.
You may make the case that manufacturing of this household of automobiles actually started in 1966, with the Volvo 140 Sequence. The 140 and 200 have been basically the identical automobile from the A pillars again, although the 200’s MacPherson strut entrance suspension is totally totally different from that of the 140. In any case, the 200 was forward of its time in 1974 however severely antiquated by 1993.
This one got here with a 2.3-liter B230F SOHC straight-four engine, rated at 114 horsepower and 136 pound-feet. That was the one engine out there within the 240 for its last few years.
You may get a five-speed guide transmission within the 1993 240, however this one has the non-compulsory four-speed automated.
The MSRP was $21,820, or about $47,193 in 2024 {dollars}. In the meantime, the way more fashionable 850 sedan listed for $24,100 that 12 months ($52,124 in as we speak’s cash), whereas the extra luxurious 940 sedan price $24,995 ($54,059 after inflation).
Nonetheless, the 240’s simplicity (plus its means to win the hearts of its house owners) made it seemingly indestructible. Somebody had purchased the gauge cluster earlier than I arrived, however a VIN search introduced up pictures on this automobile’s insurance coverage public sale (it acquired totaled as a result of vandalization) and we are able to see that it had simply squeezed previous the 300,000-mile mark throughout its 31 years on the highway.
The best-mile automobile I’ve ever discovered throughout my junkyard travels was a 1990 Volvo 240 with 631k miles, and I’ve documented loads of different 300k-plus 240s through the years. We will assume this one was a runner on the finish, however excessive miles and smashed glass meant it wasn’t price fixing.
Bought new in Denver (Rickenbaugh Volvo continues to be in enterprise), will likely be crushed in close by Aurora.
Whenever you get a minivan as an alternative of a Volvo 240, you are signing dying warrants on your total household!