The Volvo 240 was produced between 1974 and 1993. This might seem like a very long production run for a company that prides itself on innovation, but don't blame Volvo: they had the replacement model, the Volvo 740, ready in 1983. However, the market thought otherwise, and both the 200 and 700 series were strong sellers for many years.
The first models to reach the US shores were 1975 models equipped with the old pushrod B20F engine, but most other markets, as well as the US '76 models, got the new overhead cam B21F motor. An all-aluminum 2.7 liter V6, the B27F, was added for the '77 model year.
The 240 incorporated many improvements over its predecessor, the Volvo 140, including:
- Better crash protection with a very large front and rear crumple zones
- McPherson front struts for more room in the engine bay
- Rack & pinion steering for more precise steering
As is usual for Volvo, incremental improvements were made almost every year of the production run. One of the major improvements was the introduction of the oxygen sensor in 1977 ('78 models), which Volvo called the Lambda Sond and developed in conjuction with Bosch. It basically added a feedback loop to the K-Jetronic fuel injection system already in use, which allowed fine-tuning of the mixture and therefore superior emissions, drivability and economy.
The original Volvo nomenclature consisted of three numbers: the first letter indicated the model (series), the second the number of cylinders, and the third the number of doors. So a 265 would be a six-cylinder wagon (5 doors). This nomenclature was replaced in the US in '81 by letters, which in turn was superceded with every model being called a 240.
About one-third of all 240's sold were station wagons, called 245's in Volvo lingo. They could be outfitted with a rear-facing foldable jumpseat in the passenger area, making the wagon a 7-passenger vehicle. The jumpseat of course came with 3-point seatbelts and wagons were designed to have a reinforced floor section to protect the occupants of the jumpseat in the event of a rear-end collision.
Special 240 models:
- 262 Coupe by Bertone (1977-81): custom body work and interior from the Italian coachbuilder. The custom body work of these two-doors consisted of a chopped roof and a more raked windshield, for a look that some love and some hate.
- 242GT (1978-80): sporty model with tighter suspension and a hi-po motor, although only the former made it to the US market. All US models were silver with black and red racing stripes going from the hood to the side to the trunk. Special black corduroy interior with red stripes.
- 240 Turbo (1981-85): replaced the GT as the sporty model, equipped with a turbocharged engine, with an intercooler from mid-83. Available only as a 2-door in its first year, 4-door and wagon models were added later.
- 242 Homologated Turbo (1983).
- 240 Classic (1993).
