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Photo of a Volvo 240

Volvo 240

From NHTSA's 1976 safety benchmark to the 240 Turbo's 1985 European touring-car title.1

Researched October 26, 2026 from 36 sources

Also called

  • The Flying BrickA racing nickname for the turbocharged 240 that won the 1985 European Touring Car Championship.2
  • The brickA nickname applied to the long-roof 240 wagon.3

At a glance

07501,500
1,335–1,470 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.5

Engine
Mostly 2.0–2.3 L redblock I4s; turbo, Volkswagen diesels; GLT6 PRV V6 options4
Layout
Front engine, rear-wheel drive; 2,640 mm wheelbase25
Units built
2,685,171 across the 240 family1

The story

Created as a safe, practical family hauler, the 240 evolved the 140 into two- and four-door sedans and a wagon. VESC safety-car ideas shaped it; launched in 1974, it lasted through 1993, outliving its intended 740 replacement.245

1974: August 21: the 240 meets the press19741976: NHTSA chooses the 244 as its benchmark19761977: Lambda-Sond and the three-way catalyst19771979: A six-cylinder diesel passenger-car first19791981: 245 Turbo: first gasoline turbo wagon19811985: European and DTM titles for the Turbo19851990: 114-hp models add a driver airbag19901993: 1,600 numbered US Classics · Production ends after 19 years1993 Volvo Amazon (120): 1956–1970120Volvo 140 Series (142/144/145): 1966–1974Volvo 240 (242/244/245): 1974–1993242/244/245 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1242021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1956–1970Volvo Amazon (120)
1966–1974Volvo 140 Series (142/144/145)
1974–1993Volvo 240 (242/244/245)
1974August 21: the 240 meets the press
1976NHTSA chooses the 244 as its benchmark
1977Lambda-Sond and the three-way catalyst
1979A six-cylinder diesel passenger-car first
1981245 Turbo: first gasoline turbo wagon
1985European and DTM titles for the Turbo
1990114-hp models add a driver airbag
19931,600 numbered US Classics
1993Production ends after 19 years
  1. 1974

    August 21: the 240 meets the press

    The 140-derived 240 debuted with a VESC-inspired nose, MacPherson struts and rack-and-pinion steering.1

  2. 1976

    NHTSA chooses the 244 as its benchmark

    The 244's safety cage led compact-sedan barrier tests, prompting NHTSA to use it as a benchmark for advanced restraint-system trials.6

  3. 1977

    Lambda-Sond and the three-way catalyst

    California's 1977 models paired Lambda-Sond oxygen sensing with a three-way catalyst, removing 90% of key harmful exhaust gases.14

  4. 1979

    A six-cylinder diesel passenger-car first

    The Volkswagen-developed six-cylinder diesel arrived for 1979, a passenger-car first; selected markets also received a five-cylinder.1

  5. 1981

    245 Turbo: first gasoline turbo wagon

    The 244 Turbo arrived for 1981; the later 245 Turbo was the first series production gasoline turbo wagon, reputedly the world's fastest estate with sub-9-second 0–60 mph.12

  6. 1985

    European and DTM titles for the Turbo

    Thomas Lindström and Gianfranco Brancatelli took the European title for Eggenberger; Per Stureson added the DTM crown.157

  7. 1990

    114-hp models add a driver airbag

    For the 114-hp sedan and wagon, 1990 brought a driver airbag; ABS followed as an option in 1991, then became standard in 1992.8

  8. 1993

    1,600 numbered US Classics

    Volvo Torslanda's 240-bolaget team devised the Classic package for 800 sedans and 800 wagons.9

  9. 1993

    Production ends after 19 years

    Production wound down at Torslanda in May, closing a 19-year run that produced 2,685,171 cars in the 240 family.1

Every generation

  • Volvo Amazon
    1201956–1970
  • Volvo 140 Series
    142/144/1451966–1974
  • Volvo 240
    242/244/2451974–1993
  • Volvo 940
    Volvo 940

Power over the years

From 81 hp to 163 hp in 9 years.

050100150200 1975198019851990 hp 1974 · 81 hp · B20 launch engine1975 · 96 hp · Germany: B21A carbureted1975 · 121 hp · B21E fuel injection1979 · 107 hp · North America: revised B21F1981 · 126 hp · North America: B21FT Turbo1981 · 153 hp · B21ET Turbo1982 · 127 hp · North America: B21FT Turbo1983 · 114 hp · North America: high-compression B23F1983 · 163 hp · US: B21FT with optional intercooler1985 · 114 hp · North America: low-friction B230F1990 · 114 hp · 2.3-liter sedan and wagon 163 hp US: B21FT with optional intercoo… 81 hp B20 launch engine
45810
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
197481B20 launch engine
197596Germany: B21A carbureted
1975121B21E fuel injection
1979107North America: revised B21F
1981126North America: B21FT Turbo
1981153B21ET Turbo
1982127North America: B21FT Turbo
1983114North America: high-compression B23F
1983163US: B21FT with optional intercooler
1985114North America: low-friction B230F
19901142.3-liter sedan and wagon

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • L / DL

    Standard

    L / DL

  • GL / GLE

    Standard

    GL / GLE

  • Standard

    D5 / D6 diesels

  • Performance

    GLT (German market)

    1980–1984

  • Performance

    Turbo (US)

    1981–1985

  • Polar / Super Polar

    Special

    Polar / Super Polar

    1989–1993

  • DLC / Blue Star

    Special

    DLC / Blue Star

    1978

  • DLS

    Limited

    DLS

    1978

  • Racing

    Turbo Evolution

    1983

    157 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • A boxy body with an unusually large window area.1516
  • On wagons, the rear-door window tops follow the sedan's rounded roofline.5
  • Wagons have a flat tailgate and an almost square cargo opening.17

Year by year

  1. 1978 (US)

    Four round headlights arrive with a framed, more upright grille that sits ahead of the headlight faces.18

  2. 1979 (market dependent)

    DL gains flush square headlights; GL/GLE use rectangular lamps. Sedans gain wraparound taillights and a reshaped trunk edge.4

  3. 1981

    US cars switch to four rectangular headlights; wagons gain wraparound rear lamps.418

  4. 1983–1984 (US)

    Slimmer bumpers arrive for 1983; 1984 sedans have wider six-section taillights, with bright grilles except on Turbos.11

  5. 1986–1993 (US)

    Two large rectangular headlight lenses replace the sealed beams; sedans gain a taller trunk lid. This nose lasts through 1993.1018

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Volvo 240
    240
    Photo of a Volvo 260
    Volvo 260

    Volvo 260

    US 260 models gained four round lights in 1976, earlier than the 240. Regional and GT lighting differences can blur this clue.18

  • Photo of a Volvo 240
    240
    Photo of a Volvo 262C Bertone
    Volvo 262C Bertone

    Volvo 262C Bertone

    Look for the coupe body: Bertone's 262C is distinct from the 242 two-door sedan.419

Prices

Value today $2.5K–$15.0K27

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 19801990200020102020 Value today: $2,500–$14,999 1975 · $6,845 · US as tested, 242 GL1976 · $7,770 · US as tested, 242 DL 2024 · $10,000 · 1993 240 Classic LE 5-speed wagon, 215k miles, BaT2024 · $41,750 · 1978 245 DL wagon, 9k miles, BaT2025 · $26,700 · 1991 sedan, automatic, 33,000 miles, BaT2025 · $22,250 · 1986 wagon, 4-speed manual, 55,000 miles, BaT2025 · $17,500 · 1983 240 GLT Turbo wagon, 255k miles, BaT2025 · $6,300 · 1983 245 DL wagon, 140k shown (mileage unknown), BaT2025 · $9,100 · 1993 240 automatic sedan, 84k miles, BaT2025 · $6,000 · 1979 242 GT automatic, ~197k miles, BaT2025 · $14,000 · 1983 242 GLT Turbo 4-speed, 164k miles, BaT2026 · $14,999 · 1991 wagon, automatic, 118,000 miles, BaT2026 · $12,250 · 1992 wagon, 5-speed, 168,000 miles, BaT2026 · $9,000 · 1979 242 DL, M47 swap, rust, 161k shown/TMU, BaT2026 · $2,500 · 1991 sedan, automatic, 118,000 miles, BaT2026 · $7,800 · 1993 wagon, automatic, 145,000 miles, BaT2026 · $14,350 · 1992 wagon, automatic, 75,000 miles, BaT $41.8K BaT, 2024
6272930313233343536
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1975Price when new$6,845US as tested, 242 GL
1976Price when new$7,770US as tested, 242 DL
2024Auction sale$10,0001993 240 Classic LE 5-speed wagon, 215k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$41,7501978 245 DL wagon, 9k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$26,7001991 sedan, automatic, 33,000 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$22,2501986 wagon, 4-speed manual, 55,000 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$17,5001983 240 GLT Turbo wagon, 255k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$6,3001983 245 DL wagon, 140k shown (mileage unknown), BaT
2025Auction sale$9,1001993 240 automatic sedan, 84k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$6,0001979 242 GT automatic, ~197k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$14,0001983 242 GLT Turbo 4-speed, 164k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,9991991 wagon, automatic, 118,000 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$12,2501992 wagon, 5-speed, 168,000 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$9,0001979 242 DL, M47 swap, rust, 161k shown/TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$2,5001991 sedan, automatic, 118,000 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$7,8001993 wagon, automatic, 145,000 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,3501992 wagon, automatic, 75,000 miles, BaT
2026Value today$2,500–$14,999

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “The first production gasoline-turbo wagon”
    • “500 required; customers got standard Turbos”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources
  1. Volvo 240 - a Swedish icon turns 40 - Volvo Cars Global news.cision.com
  2. Volvo 240 – The Time is Now | Car & Classic Magazine carandclassic.com
  3. Milan To Antwerp: The 'Wasabi Volvo' Takes On A European Road Trip Lik - Petrolicious petrolicious.com
  4. Volvo 200 Series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Volvo 240 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  6. The Volvo 240's U.S. Journey - Chapter One - Curbside Classic curbsideclassic.com
  7. Road cars of Touring Car Racing: Volvo 240 Turbo – TouringCarTimes touringcartimes.com
  8. 1990-93 Volvo 240 | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  9. The Volvo 240's U.S. Journey - Chapter Seven - Curbside Classic curbsideclassic.com
  10. The Volvo 240's U.S. Journey - Chapter Five - Curbside Classic curbsideclassic.com
  11. The Volvo 240's U.S. Journey - Chapter Four - Curbside Classic curbsideclassic.com
  12. Vintage Views: Volvo 240 | Articles | Grassroots Motorsports grassrootsmotorsports.com
  13. INFO GUIDE: 1978 - 1981 Volvo 240 Series 242 GT | Classic Register classicregister.com
  14. Polar – en cool 240! | Klassiker klassiker.nu
  15. 40 Years Of The Volvo 240: Why People Still Love The Slow Swedish Boat jalopnik.com
  16. Classic Volvo 240 - Popular Volvo 240 History roadandtrack.com
  17. Volvo 240 (1974-1993) icon review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  18. Street-Spotted: Volvo 240 autoweek.com
  19. 240 260 buying tips • Volvotips volvotips.com
  20. Volvo Amazon - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Volvo 140 Series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. Jan Wilsgaard y el Volvo 240: imagen de marca lavozdegalicia.es
  23. The generous act that helped Volvo clinch its title v8sleuth.com.au
  24. Volvo races anti-slip January 1987 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  25. Därför är Volvo 240 bilen som aldrig dör i amerikansk populärkultur - FLM flm.nu
  26. The Gran Turismo 7 May Update: Five New Cars and Volvo, the company! - NEWS - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  27. Volvo 240 Market Values & Price History | backlist.io Market backlist.io
  28. Volvo 240 Buyer's Guide - Goodwood Classic Solutions insurance.goodwood.com
  29. 1979 Volvo 242 DL 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,000 on September 1, 2026 (Lot #260,786) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. No Reserve: 1979 Volvo 242 GT for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,000 on February 9, 2025 (Lot #179,813) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 1983 Volvo 245 DL Wagon 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,300 on September 30, 2025 (Lot #212,462) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: 30-Years-Owned 1983 Volvo 240 GLT Turbo Wagon 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,500 on December 29, 2025 (Lot #225,241) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 1978 Volvo 245 DL Wagon for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $41,750 on April 22, 2024 (Lot #144,118) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 1993 Volvo 240 Sedan for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,100 on June 5, 2025 (Lot #194,752) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 1983 Volvo 242 GLT Turbo 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,000 on January 14, 2025 (Lot #177,054) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 1993 Volvo 240 Classic LE Wagon 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,000 on October 23, 2024 (Lot #167,731) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • news.cision.com
  • carandclassic.com
  • petrolicious.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • curbsideclassic.com
  • touringcartimes.com
  • consumerguide.com
  • grassrootsmotorsports.com
  • classicregister.com
  • klassiker.nu
  • jalopnik.com
  • roadandtrack.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk

Photo credits

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