Time Capsule 1984 Volvo 240 GL with 52k Miles
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For August 21, 2021, our used car find is this time capsule 1984 Volvo 240 GL with just 52k miles. It’s offered on Craigslist by a private seller in the Portland Oregon area for $8995 or best offer.
Here’s what makes this one special.
Introduction
One of the most iconic cars of the 20th century, the Volvo 240 is like a tailored Brooks Brother’s suit: all substance and zero flash. Its boxy styling, fastidious build quality, and legendary reputation for safety made it the transport of choice of 1980s college professors, suburban families, and the inconspicuously well-to-do.
The 240 features Volvo’s legendary 2.3-liter four-cylinder “redblock” engine. Making just 114 horsepower, delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic, it’s no powerhouse. But thanks to rugged construction and quality engineering, it can soldier on for hundreds of thousands of miles with just routine maintenance.
The Listing
While most 240 examples of the era were thoroughly used — often handed down to sons and daughters and even to their sons and daughters, too — this one, with just over 50,000 miles, has been preserved as if in amber. Its distinctive Richelieu Red factory paint looks showroom fresh, as does its tan leather interior. The latter is a perk of this car’s upscale “GL” trim, while base “DL” 240s got cloth or vinyl.
In the words of the seller…
This is an absolutely beautiful time capsule. This is a one owner very low mileage Volvo. The car started out life in Wisconsin and then found its way to central Oregon where it was the vacation house car in Sunriver. The maintenance file goes back to the original purchase. Stock Volvo radio. You must see and drive this car to appreciate it.
It’s hard to find fault with this one. We love the pristine original condition. And this is a good year for the 240, just one year before Volvo made some changes to the redblock engine which compromised its longevity (slightly). That being said, the Hagerty buying guide for these notes to watch out for crumbling wiring harnesses on examples of this vintage.
Assuming everything is in good working condition, the seller’s asking price of $8995 is quite reasonable for such a nice 240. We don’t expect it to last long.
Details and Specs
- 1984 Volvo 240 GL sedan
- 52,475 miles
- 2.3-liter “redblock” inline four-cylinder engine (B23F)
- 114 horsepower
- 136 lb-ft of torque
- 4-speed automatic transmission
- rear-wheel drive
- Richelieu Red exterior
- tan leather interior
- for sale by owner
- $8995 (or best offer)
- Beaverton, Oregon
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